Tampa Heights Car Accident Lawyer

Have you suffered from devastating injuries as a result of a car accident? Contact our Tampa Heights, FL car accident lawyer now. Our dedicated team will help you receive not only the justice, but the compensation you deserve as you heal from your car accident. Even if your losses and injuries are extensive, we will help you get financial compensation that covers your medical expenses and losses.

Car Accident Causes and Their Resulting Injuries

Jeff Murphy has 33 years of experience supporting victims of car wrecks caused by a spectrum of circumstances, like drunk driving, reckless driving, vehicle defects, speeding, distracted driving, bad weather, and road events.

Accidents in these categories can lead to injuries like broken bones and fractures, head injuries, whiplash, chest injuries, scrapes and cuts, and many more. No matter what the cause is or the extent of your damages, we’ll help you navigate the legal process and pursue rightful compensation. If you were hurt due to the negligence or irresponsibility of another person, we’re on your side.

To receive the compensation you deserve, you have to be determined eligible. Our team will thoroughly investigate your car accident and gather evidence like photos, videos, medical records, statements, police reports, and more. Once we’ve determined the extent of liability on the at-fault party, we will help you file a claim and handle all negotiations with the insurance company.

Insurance companies often try to deny coverage to the victim and may offer a settlement that doesn’t reflect adequate compensation. We will apply the necessary legal pressure that forces insurance companies back into negotiation.

Steps to Develop Your Case

Scheduling a consultation with a lawyer is only the first step. They will start by asking questions, review any evidence you’ve presented, and decide whether they want to take on your case.

If the lawyer says you have a case, your attorney will begin a thorough investigation. If you have collected your own evidence, you will send everything to your attorney. They will review the information and collect anything else that may be missing, like police reports or witness statements.

Once the investigation is complete, your lawyer files a claim. This action will alert the other parties involved, as well as the courts. Other parties involved might choose to offer a settlement. Your lawyer will advise you on whether or not it’s wise to take it.

You may choose not to accept the offer if it’s too low or if your attorney advises you otherwise. If you and your lawyer aren’t happy with the first number presented, negotiations are available.

If you decide to accept the settlement, the case is over with. However, if you choose not to settle or the other side does not choose to offer a settlement, then your case will go to trial.

How Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Laws Affect Car Accident Compensation

When a person is injured in a car accident, the immediate focus is typically on receiving medical attention. But fairly soon, questions about bills, lost time at work, and insurance coverage start to come up. In this state, car accident claims work differently due to the no-fault insurance system. While that may sound simple, the impact on compensation can catch people off guard if they’re not familiar with how the process works. These rules affect everything from where a claim starts to how much someone might recover. Anyone looking to pursue damages should understand how this system might shape their case. For those dealing with this process locally, a Tampa Heights, FL car accident lawyer can help guide the next steps.

Personal Injury Protection and How It Applies

Our traffic collision lawyer will share that drivers in this state are required to carry what’s called Personal Injury Protection, or PIP coverage. This coverage applies regardless of who caused the accident. That means if we’re injured, our own insurance pays the initial medical expenses and a portion of our lost wages, even if another driver was clearly at fault. While this may sound convenient, there are limits. PIP typically covers up to $10,000 in combined medical and wage-loss benefits, but in many cases, only 80% of medical costs and 60% of lost income.

One important detail is that PIP coverage only applies to injuries. It does not pay for vehicle repairs or compensate for pain and suffering. In minor accidents, PIP might be enough. But when someone suffers a more serious injury, additional compensation often becomes necessary. In those situations, we may need to go beyond the no-fault framework and file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This is where knowing the threshold for stepping outside the system matters.

Meeting the Serious Injury Threshold

In order to pursue a claim for damages beyond what PIP offers, the injured party must meet what’s called the “serious injury threshold.” This means the injuries have to be significant enough to justify legal action with help from our vehicle accident attorney outside the no-fault system. The law defines these as injuries involving permanent loss of bodily function, significant disfigurement or scarring, or a permanent injury diagnosed by a qualified physician. After meeting the threshold, it becomes possible to pursue a claim that covers full medical expenses, future lost income, and damages for pain and suffering.

This part of the law is what allows victims of serious crashes to be made whole again. It’s also where legal representation from our Tampa Heights car accident lawyer becomes more important. Insurance companies often argue about whether injuries meet the required threshold, and pushing back against those tactics can make a real difference in the outcome.

When Basic Coverage Isn’t Enough

For those with serious injuries, relying on PIP alone can fall short of covering long-term medical care and ongoing financial loss. That’s when pursuing a liability claim becomes necessary. In these situations, we might deal with both our own insurer and the at-fault party’s insurer. The process may involve gathering medical records, employment documentation, and sometimes expert testimony to support the claim. The threshold rules don’t just determine who pays—they influence how much compensation we may be able to recover in the end. If coverage is denied or delayed, legal action may be the only path forward.

Legal support after an accident that causes lasting harm

Recovering from injuries that exceed basic coverage often requires more than simply submitting paperwork to seek full compensation. The insurance process can be limited, and the rules can stand in the way of a fair result without the right support. A Tampa Heights car accident lawyer can step in to help evaluate the injury, pursue any claims that meet the serious injury threshold, and build a case for the full damages available. Contact our auto accident attorney at  Jeff Murphy Law today for a free consultation to learn what options may be available. For your flexibility our firm offers 24/7 live call answering, contact our firm today for the help you deserve.

Contact Our Tampa Heights Car Accident Lawyer

Finding a committed car accident lawyer by your side in the aftermath of a wreck is one of the best decisions you can make. Focus on your recovery and let our team pursue the burden of achieving your compensation. You do not have to do this alone. Contact Jeff Murphy Law today to schedule your consultation.