Car Accident Lawyer

Since 1976, The Matassini Law Firm, P.A. has provided highly professional, highly personal legal services for Floridians who’ve been injured in auto accidents. Combining friendly, attentive counsel with firm, straightforward advocacy, we’ve built a reputation as a hometown law firm that delivers impressive results. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries in a traffic accident, our car accident lawyers can help you achieve the full measure of compensation you deserve.

Most of us travel by car so frequently that we barely blink an eye at the task. With the help of smartphone navigation we can even know the precise minute of arrival at our destination and which routes to avoid because of construction. However, all of that detailed planning goes out the window the moment another car driver crashes into your vehicle. All of a sudden the whole trajectory of your day, week, month, and even year is changed. Injuries involve medical appointments, time away from work, and pose a challenge to household duties. The car accident lawyers at Matassini Law Firm can help you receive the compensation that you deserve.

Filing an Accident Personal Injury Claim

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car accident that was another driver’s fault, they need to be held responsible for the repercussions with a personal injury claim. A personal injury claim takes into account all of the damages and the injured party is compensated by the liable party’s insurance company. Florida is a comparative negligence state, which means both parties can be found partially liable for injuries. For instance, if one driver was speeding when a distracted driver hit them, they may only be able to receive 80 percent compensation because they are deemed to be 20 percent at fault for their injuries. The Tampa attorneys at Matassini Law Firm can help you file a claim and advocate for you to receive the best outcome possible. Damages include:

Medical bills and future anticipated medical costs;
Lost wages and future lost earning potential;
Pain and suffering;
Property damage; and
More.

Types of Car Accidents

Rear-end collisions—Rear-end collisions are most likely caused by the second driver. They may have been distracted, tailgating, or speeding and as a result they failed to react to brake lights and other indicators that traffic was slowing down.

Head on collisions—Head on collisions occur when a person drifts over into the oncoming lane of traffic. This can happen when a driver is intoxicated, drowsy, or even momentarily distracted. Because of the forces involved when both vehicles impact one another going opposite directions, injuries in head-on collisions tend to be severe.

Side impact accidents—These are the collisions that happen when one person fails to stop at the stop sign or blows through the intersection when they have a red light. Sometimes it is obvious who is at fault, but often these collisions require an investigation to determine who should be held liable for injuries.

Rollover accidents—Rollover accidents tend to happen when a car is traveling at a high speed and the driver has to swerve causing the car to get off-balance. Rollovers are more likely to occur when a vehicle has a high center of gravity and when the wheel “trips” or deforms when it hits something such as a dirt shoulder or pothole.

What To Do After a Car Accident

Many people think that common sense dictates what is to be done after an auto accident. Maybe so, but our common sense can desert us under stress. It is a good idea to keep this simple checklist in your car with your other important papers (registration, etc.).

Get help for anyone injured.
Call the police if someone is injured or killed, if a vehicle can’t be moved, or if the accident involved a hit‑and‑run driver.
Move your car, if possible, to avoid blocking traffic and to protect it from further loss or damage. But be careful—many people are injured at accident scenes each year by other drivers who are not paying attention.
Get the other driver’s name, address, telephone number, license plate number, driver’s license number, and insurance information. Give the other driver the same information.
Record the insurance company name and the policy number exactly as they appear on the other driver’s proof‑of‑insurance card. Similar company names can cause confusion.
Don’t sign anything except a ticket, citation, or report issued by the police.
Notify your insurance company promptly. It will want the names and addresses of witnesses and injured persons.
Never sign any document that gives up a legal right.
Contact us to find out about your right to recover for your injuries.

If you have been in an accident and have questions about whether you need a lawyer or whether you have a right to monetary damages, call us. Decisions that must be made after an accident are very important. We can advise you and, if appropriate, deal with the insurance company or other parties on your behalf.

Here’s what our law firm can do for you

The experienced legal team at the Matassini Law Firm is ready to:

Evaluate any bodily injury claim to determine the amount of money to which you are entitled.
Help you with the property damage portion of your claim.
Resolve complex issues and negotiate an overall settlement.
Deal with your doctors, obtain your medical records, reports, and billing statements, and notify medical care providers as to who to bill.
Have an investigator interview witnesses, take statements, and photograph the accident scene and your vehicle.
File a lawsuit, if necessary.
Ensure you obtain the relief you deserve!

Do I always need a lawyer, even for a case of “no-doubt” liability?

Liability (or blame/responsibility for the accident) is one of the most difficult elements you must prove to claim compensation, but it’s not the only factor in your recovery. Even if there’s no doubt which driver is at fault, as in cases of rear-end collisions, and most left-turn accidents, you still must prove:

The accident caused your injuries —In many cases, accident victims get so pumped up with adrenaline that they don’t realize they’re hurt. They neglect to seek immediate medical assistance after an accident, then find themselves suffering unbearably a day or two later. This can create doubt as to whether it was the accident or some intervening event that caused the injuries. We explain what to do after an auto accident.
The extent of your injuries —Whether your accident involves an 18-wheeler, passenger car or a motorcycle, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will always try to settle for the least amount possible, and will argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim. An experienced injury attorney knows from past cases what the true value of your claim might be, and can send a strong signal that you will settle for nothing less.

So even when liability is not an issue, if for example, the motorist who struck you was texting while driving, you still need professional legal representation to recover full and fair compensation.

More than 75 years of legal experience in personal injury and auto accidents

In personal injury cases, The Matassini Law Firm advances all litigation costs on behalf of our clients. Unlike some law firms that look to settle auto accident cases quickly due to financial pressures, our car accident lawyers have the resources to litigate all the way to verdict, regardless of the size or capacity of opposing counsel. The Matassini Law Firm’s principal lawyers, Nick M. Matassini and Nicholas G. Matassini, are AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review RatedSM by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest rating given for professional skill and ethics. In criminal defense, lead attorney Nicholas G. Matassini is board certified by the Florida Bar.

Our small family-run firm gets ample support from a team of trained paralegals and legal assistants who keep pace with the latest developments in technology, research, regulations, court decisions and important legal precedents. We have a roster of renowned expert witnesses, which we constantly update, so your case benefits from credible testimony on difficult issues.

Car Accident FAQ

A car accident can turn your life upside down, and you will have many questions afterward. It is important to know your legal rights, and how to protect them after any crash. The below Tampa car accident FAQ will address some of the most pressing questions you have, and the answers to them.

What Steps to Take After a Crash?

The most important step after a car accident is to remain at the scene. This is not only required by law but if you are injured, you should also stay at the scene until a paramedic arrives. If no one else calls for an ambulance, you should so you can get the medical attention you need. Remaining at the scene will also ensure you are there when the police arrive so you can provide details for the police report.

While waiting for emergency personnel, you should exchange information with all other drivers involved, as well as with eyewitnesses. If you can, also take pictures of the accident scene, the vehicles involved, and your injuries.

What is the No-Fault Law in Florida?

Under Florida’s no-fault auto insurance laws, you must file a claim with your own insurance company after a car accident, regardless of which party was at fault. If your own personal injury protection (PIP) does not fully cover the cost of your losses, you can then file a lawsuit against the negligent party.

What if More than One Person Was to Blame?

It is not uncommon for more than one person to be at fault for a car accident. When this is the case, Florida’s comparative negligence law will apply. Under this law, you can still claim damages even if you were 99 percent at fault for the crash. However, it is still important to work with a lawyer that can refute these claims so you recover the full damages you deserve.

When are You Required to File a Police Report?

There are certain instances in which you are required by law to file a police report. These include when an accident results in injury, death, or property damage that exceeds $500. If the accident involved a drunk driver or a hit-and-run driver, you should also call the police.

How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?

The statute of limitations in Florida states you have just four years to file a lawsuit after a car accident. If you do not file a lawsuit within that time, you will likely lose your legal right to claim any compensation at all.

Can I recover compensation for a car accident if I was partially at fault?

Under Florida’s comparative negligence law, you can still recover compensation even if you bear some responsibility for causing or worsening the accident. However, the insurance company will attempt to heap as much blame as possible on you to diminish the amount it must pay. An experienced personal injury attorney can help restore the proper balance of liability and get you the compensation you deserve.

What if the “at-fault” driver is uninsured or underinsured?

Often the at-fault driver has no auto insurance or is only carrying the statutory minimum, which in many cases is insufficient to compensate a victim. If that happens to you, you might have to fight your own insurance company or try to attach the driver’s assets to pay your claim. When the process becomes this complicated, you need to rely on a legal professional who understands the law and court procedure.

The Car Accident Attorneys at Matassini Law Firm, P.A. Can Help

The car accident lawyers at Matassini Law Firm understand that being injured in a car accident and the subsequent recovery is an emotional rollercoaster. From the initial investigation to negotiations with the insurance companies, we work hard on behalf of our clients to ensure that they receive the compensation that they deserve. To learn more about how we can help in your case, contact our offices at 813-217-5715 to schedule a free consultation today.

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