Experienced Tampa Personal Injury Lawyer
Accidents and injuries can happen to anyone at any time. Depending on the type of accident
and severity of your injuries, extensive trauma and costly medical bills may follow.
Florida law permits accident victims to take legal action against any party that is responsible for
causing their injuries. Calling an experienced Tampa personal injury lawyer should be your first step.
Personal Injury Cases in Tampa
Covering a total land area of 114.02 sq miles in Hillsborough County, Tampa is home to
approximately 388,000 people. Additionally, there is 61.82 sq miles of water within the city
limits, a lot of which attracts locals and tourists alike.
While there are many types of accidents (see below) that can result in personal injury, motor
vehicle crashes are among the most common in the Tampa area.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 341,289
traffic accidents in the state in 2020. Of those, 24,162 occurred in Hillsborough County, with
many in Tampa.
On a statewide level, there were 212,513 injuries from motor vehicle accidents and 3,344
fatalities.
Types of Tampa Personal Injury Cases We Handle
At Pardy & Rodriguez, P.A., we have the experience necessary to help you receive the
compensation you deserve. The approach we take depends on the type of personal injury case
and details surrounding it. Here is a list of the types of cases we handle.
Car Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents come in many forms, ranging from high-speed collisions on the highway
to side-impact crashes in a city setting.
Dealing with insurance companies after an accident is a challenge, as they are inclined to do
whatever they can to minimize their payouts.
Truck Accidents
Every time you take to the interstates around the Tampa area, you are likely to find yourself in
close proximity to commercial trucks.
Truck accidents happen for many reasons, including but not limited to:
- Reckless driving, such as excessive speeding
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Improper loading
- Incomplete training
- Vehicle maintenance
Motorcycle Accidents
Tampa is known for its beautiful weather year-round, which leads many people to rely on a
motorcycle for transportation.
Unfortunately, a motorcycle accident can leave you with serious injuries. And that’s especially
true if you opt not to wear a helmet (which is legal in Florida).
Bicycle Accidents
As one of the deadliest states for bicyclists, riding in Florida calls for extreme caution. Even
though bicyclists have the same rights as drivers of other vehicles, they are often treated with
less respect. This can result in a serious accident leading to severe injuries such as broken
bones, traumatic brain injury, and extensive lacerations.
Pedestrian Accidents
If you are struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian, there is a high likelihood of serious injuries or
death. Without protection, even a low-speed accident puts you at risk.
Common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Inattention by the pedestrian or driver
- Distracted driving
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Failure to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk
Public Transportation Accidents
It does not matter if you are taking an Uber, cab, or public bus, your safety is in the hands of the
driver (and others on the road). Negligence can be placed on many parties in a public
transportation accident.
Premises Liability
This comes in many forms, such as slip and fall accidents, negligent security, elevator
accidents, and improper maintenance of walking surfaces.
Success in these types of cases hinges on the ability to prove “duty of care” on behalf of the
property owner.
Swimming Pool Accidents
With warm weather year-round, swimming pools are popular throughout the state of Florida.
While pools make for plenty of fun and relaxation, they can be dangerous at times. For instance,
if a public pool does not have the proper signage regarding water depth, it could lead to a diving
injury.
Dog Bites
Dogs are man’s best friend, but they are animals, nonetheless. Dog bites and attacks can cause
serious injury, such as puncture wounds and lacerations, as well as death.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), approximately 4.5 million
people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States.
Nursing Home Abuse
When a loved one is receiving care in a nursing home, you assume they are in good hands.
Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect remain a concern. Should you recognize any
signs of abuse or neglect, it is critical to address your concerns, find a new facility for your loved
one, and take legal action.
Wrongful Death
Florida’s Wrongful Death Act allows you to seek compensation if a loved one, such as a spouse
or child, dies as the result of another party’s negligence.
Compensation Available in a Tampa Personal Injury Case
Many forms of compensation are available in a personal injury case. You may not be able to
collect for all of them, but there is a high likelihood that you can seek compensation for several
types of damages.
- Medical bills: This is often at the top of the list, as your injuries will require immediate
and ongoing medical attention - Co-pays: Most insurance plans have co-pays, which is money paid out of pocket at the
time of service for medical care. Co-pays can quickly add up if you were seriously
injured. - Medication: This includes both over the counter and prescription drugs. Medical supplies
also fall under this category. - Nursing facility or at-home care: If you are unable to care for yourself, you may require a
stay in a nursing home. Another option is to pay for at-home care. - Medical or assisted living devices: Common examples include wheelchairs, walkers, and
crutches. - Physical and occupational rehabilitative therapy: Depending on the severity of your
injuries, many types of therapy may be necessary to make a full or partial recovery. - Lost wages: This includes any money you would have earned at your job, as well as
bonuses and commission. - Lost promotional opportunities: When you are out of work, you are unable to seek
promotional opportunities and chase your career goals. - Vehicle damage: Your vehicle is sure to suffer some type of damage in an accident,
which can cost thousands of dollars to repair. And in some cases, an accident can result
in total loss.
Pain and Suffering Damages Available to Tampa Personal Injury Claimants
Although it is more difficult to prove pain and suffering, your personal injury lawyer can help you
seek this form of compensation.
Pain and suffering damages are available for things such as:
- Mental anguish and suffering: A serious accident have the potential to alter your mental
state forever, which can cause long-term anguish and suffering. - Depression: For example, if you were injured to the point that you can no longer do what
you love, it can result in clinical depression. - Frustration: Frustration can set in if your injuries stop you from living your life and if your
accident-related expenses continue to take a toll on your finances. - Pain: This is an easy one to understand. If you are in pain related to your injuries, you
should be compensated accordingly. - Lifestyle inconveniences: Do you find it more difficult to navigate your home? Are you in
a wheelchair, which prohibits you from driving? - Loss of enjoyment of life: Your physical and/or mental injuries are likely to change the
way you look at the world and the way you feel. - Loss of physical and emotional intimacy with a spouse: Depending on the type of injury,
your connection with your spouse may never be the same.
How to Determine if You Have a Personal Injury Claim
It is not always easy to determine if you have a personal injury claim, especially if you are
dealing with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and other challenges.
Here are some common signs that you have a personal injury claim:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care: Take for example a building owner who
neglected to inspect elevators and escalators as required by law. If you were injured in
an elevator or escalator accident, the owner is on the hook for their negligence. - You incurred damages: It is not enough to prove that the defendant owed you a duty of
care. You must also prove that you incurred damage, such as injuries, medical bills, and
lost wages. - The incident occurred within the last four years: In Florida, you have four years from the
date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
The other way to determine if you have a personal injury claim is to consult with an experienced
attorney. They can review the finer details of your case, such as by examining evidence, to help
you decide what to do next.
Why and When to Hire a Tampa Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have a personal injury case, you are under no obligation to hire a lawyer. However, if you
take on this process yourself, you are at a disadvantage. You can rest assured that the
insurance companies you are dealing with will have proper legal representation.
Since most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, there is no risk to you.
Your legal team only gets paid if they secure compensation on your behalf.
Here is why you should hire a Tampa personal injury lawyer:
- Learn your right and answer all your questions
- Reduce stress and put your mind at ease
- Prepare and manage the entire process from start to finish
- Maximize the compensation you receive for your injuries
- A personal injury lawyer will handle all communication between you and the other parties involved
As for when you should hire a lawyer, sooner is better than later. Even if you are unsure if you
have a case, it is best to consult with an attorney as soon as possible.
Note: you have four years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, but do not wait too long
to hire a lawyer. Doing so makes it more difficult to win your case as evidence is more difficult to
come by and the defendant’s legal team may argue that you did not receive the proper care.
Common Questions About Tampa Personal Injury Cases
There is no shortage of questions associated with Tampa personal injury cases. Every question
you have deserves an accurate and timely answer. Here are some that you may need to
address:
Who is the negligent party?
Sometimes, this is clear. But other times, it takes an experienced legal team to determine
exactly what happened and who was at fault. For example, accident reconstruction may be
necessary.
Should you speak with insurance company representatives?
It is okay to file an insurance claim, but do not talk to any insurance company representatives —
including your agent — until you consult with a personal injury attorney.
Do you need to hire a Tampa personal injury lawyer?
You do not have to hire a lawyer but doing so will improve your odds of winning your case and
receiving all the compensation that is owed to you.
How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?
Most personal injury lawyers have a contingency fee between 30 and 40 percent. This is the
amount of money they receive if they win your case. If you receive nothing, they receive
nothing.
How long does it take to settle a personal injury claim?
This depends on a variety of factors, such as the severity of your injuries, the willingness of
insurance companies to negotiate, and the complexity of the evidence.
How much compensation can you expect?
The money you receive is meant to compensate you for damages and losses, such as medical
bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Your attorney can provide a better idea of how much
your case is worth.
Is it best to settle out of court?
It is always quicker and less stressful to settle out of court, but sometimes it is not the smart
decision. Your attorney will guide you based on what they feel is the best way to maximize your
payout.
Know Your Rights Call Our Tampa Personal Injury Attorneys Today.
At Pardy & Rodriguez P.A., we have more than 35 years of combined personal injury
experience. Contact us online or via phone at 813-988-1777 for more information and to set up
a free consultation with one of our experienced and knowledgeable Tampa personal injury
attorneys.