Is It Worth Getting an Attorney After a Car Accident in Tampa?

You’re probably wondering if calling a lawyer is worth it while you’re dealing with medical bills, insurance calls, and getting your life back on track after your I-4 or Veterans Expressway accident. We know this decision feels overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure what to expect from a Tampa car accident attorney. Most accident victims who ask, “Is it worth getting an attorney after a car accident?” may not realize just how much an attorney can increase their compensation and protect their rights.

What To Do If You Get In A Car Accident?

Before discussing the value of hiring an attorney, let’s talk about what to do if you get in a car accident to protect your health, legal rights, and case value:

1. Stay at the scene until police arrive, and if necessary, call 911, as failure to stay at the scene often results in the police officer erroneously assigning fault to the absent driver. Florida Statute §316.065 also mandates that, within 10 days, you contact local law enforcement if the vehicle accident caused injuries, $500 or more in vehicle damage, or deaths. However, if in a motor vehicle accident, the best practice is to contact local law enforcement immediately!

2. Exchange driver’s license, registration, and insurance information, but avoid apologizing or discussing fault with the other party. If you could not obtain the other party’s insurance information, you can submit the request via an HSMV 83392 form, which can be found on the flhsmv.gov website.

3. Photograph the accident scene, such as vehicle damage, injuries, & license plates. Be sure to take notice of any surrounding businesses that may have cameras that captured the accident and may be helpful in proving liability in your case.

4. Get medical attention within 14 days to preserve your Florida PIP benefits.

5. Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible because under most insurance policies, the insured driver has a duty to notify their carrier when a motor vehicle accident occurs so that they can preserve evidence and verify your claim. Failure to timely report the accident can result in delayed claims processing, payment of medical bills, or even a total claim denial. However, you should not – nor are you under an obligation – to speak with the other Driver’s Insurance carrier. In fact, doing so may hurt your case as your words may be taken out of context or manipulated to suit their agenda and devalue your personal injury claim.

6. Contact our Tampa car accident attorney before speaking with any insurance companies, as we will walk you through the entire process, report the claim to all insurance carriers, and ensure your rights are being preserved and protected. When you hire De Armas Law, all you need to focus on is healing – and we handle the rest!

For a detailed breakdown of these steps, read our guide on what to do after a car accident in Tampa.

When Might You Not Need An Attorney? One Rare Exception

There’s only one rare situation where hiring an attorney may not be necessary: when there’s a minor, property-damage-only accident (think fender-bender), that’s under $500 in damage, and there’s no injuries, clear liability, and immediate fault admission, prompting fair payment from insurers. Note: minor accidents can involve delayed-onset injuries, so don’t accept a quick settlement without getting checked out first. You also need to be aware that if you are not evaluated by a medical professional within 14 days of the accident, you will not be entitled to your PIP benefits.

5 Reasons It’s Worth It to Get an Attorney After a Car Accident

Hiring an attorney after a Tampa car accident offers more than higher settlements. From understanding Florida’s insurance rules to protecting against aggressive adjuster tactics, here are 5 reasons professional representation is worth it:

1. Insurance Companies Treat Represented/Unrepresented Claimants Differently.

When you’re handling your own claim, adjusters know you’re vulnerable and unfamiliar with the process. They use tactics to take advantage:

• Delay Tactics. Adjusters often drag claims out for months while bills pile up, hoping you’ll accept their offer to end the stress.
• Lowball Settlements. Offering amounts that sound fair but won’t cover your ongoing medical bills, future medical needs, or time off work.
• Confusing Paperwork. Using complex policy language and legal terms to make you feel like you don’t understand your rights.
• Excessive Pressure. Calling when you’re in pain, stressed about bills, and vulnerable.

With an attorney, adjusters know they’re dealing with someone who understands your claim’s value and has the resources to take them to court if a fair settlement isn’t offered. It’s worth getting a Tampa car accident attorney for the peace of mind that your injuries will be taken seriously and you’ll get fair compensation.

2. Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System Creates Hidden Traps for Unrepresented Victims.

Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) system seems straightforward, but it contains complexities that can trip up accident victims, namely its serious coverage limitations:

• $10,000 in medical benefits,
• Only 80% expense coverage, you are responsible for the 20% co-pay unless you have elected MED PAY coverage
• and requires an “emergency medical condition” diagnosis, or your coverage drops to $2,500.

Knowing how your injuries qualify for compensation beyond PIP under Florida’s no-fault system (“serious injury threshold”) requires medical and legal knowledge that most car accident victims lack, making hiring an attorney essential.

3. Recent Florida Legal Changes Make Professional Representation a Must.

Florida’s House Bill 837, effective March 2023, created new legal obstacles:

• Statute of limitations for personal injury claims reduced from 4 years to 2 years after March 24, 2023.
• Modified comparative negligence prevents recovery if you’re over 50% at fault.
• Stricter medical documentation requirements for proving damages and meeting serious injury thresholds.
• Enhanced insurance company defenses make bad faith claims harder to prove.

Insurance companies use these legislative changes to deny or underpay claims that would have succeeded under the previous laws, pressuring for quick settlements and making it very difficult to obtain the necessary monies to pay your medical bills and compensate you for your non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, inconvenience, etc., which is why hiring a personal injury attorney after a car accident in Tampa, FL is in your best interest.

4. Tampa’s Unique Traffic Patterns & Legal Landscape Require Specialized Knowledge.

At De Armas Law, we know Tampa’s roads intimately, from I-4’s multi-vehicle accidents to I-275 downtown interchange issues. Our local knowledge gives us an edge, as we know which Tampa General Hospital physicians document injuries thoroughly, Hillsborough County’s court procedures, and work with accident reconstruction experts who understand Tampa’s traffic patterns. This translates into stronger cases and higher settlements for Tampa families that out-of-county attorneys can’t match.

5. The Financials Favor Representation.

When you hire De Armas Law, you pay nothing unless we win your case, but the difference in self-representation vs what you receive with professional representation can be staggering. Rather than missing out on $20,000, $50,000, or even $100,000+ from a lowball offer, we can help you avoid inadequate settlements, missed deadlines, or denied claims..

Stop Wondering If You Need An Attorney – Find Out For Free

When Tampa residents ask, “Is it worth getting an attorney after a car accident?” evidence shows, from Florida’s complex PIP system, aggressive insurance tactics, to HB 837’s new deadlines, professional representation is worth it. At De Armas Law, we offer local Tampa expertise, personal attention, and zero upfront costs. Call our Tampa Office at 813-680-7777 or our Orlando Office: 407-362-7777 for a free consultation, 24/7.