Brandon Car Accident Lawyer
Our Brandon car accident lawyers help crash victims hold negligent drivers accountable while you focus on recovery.
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If you were injured in a car accident in Brandon, Florida, an experienced Brandon car accident lawyer can help you understand your rights, handle the insurance companies, and pursue the compensation available under Florida law.
The personal injury attorneys at Cantrell Schuette represent people hurt in crashes across Brandon, Hillsborough County, and the greater Tampa Bay area. We handle claims involving Florida’s no-fault insurance system, serious-injury cases that fall outside it, and the strict filing deadlines that apply to every car accident claim in the state. We offer a free consultation to review your situation and explain your options.
Florida's No-Fault Insurance System After a Brandon Car Accident
Florida is a no-fault auto insurance state. Every driver is required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which pays a portion of your medical bills and lost wages after a crash regardless of who was at fault. As set out in Florida’s no-fault law, drivers must carry a statutory minimum of $10,000 in PIP coverage.
PIP generally pays 80 percent of reasonable medical expenses and 60 percent of lost wages, up to your policy limit. To receive full PIP medical benefits, you usually must seek treatment within 14 days of the accident. Florida also requires property damage liability coverage but does not require bodily injury liability coverage, which is one reason uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage matters after a serious crash in Brandon.
Car Accident Cases Our Brandon Attorneys Handle
Crashes happen across Brandon every day, from Brandon Boulevard and the surrounding commercial corridors to nearby stretches of Interstate 75 and the Selmon Expressway. Our attorneys represent clients in a range of motor vehicle cases, including:
- Rear-end, intersection, and lane-change collisions
- Distracted, drowsy, or impaired driving crashes
- Multi-vehicle pileups on interstates and highways
- Commercial truck and delivery vehicle accidents
- Motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian collisions
- Rideshare accidents involving app-based drivers
- Hit-and-run and uninsured or underinsured motorist claims
What to Do After a Car Accident in Brandon
The steps you take in the hours and days after a crash can affect both your health and your claim. After a car accident in Brandon, it helps to:
- Seek medical attention promptly. To access PIP benefits, Florida requires treatment within 14 days of the accident.
- Report the crash to law enforcement and obtain an official crash report, as Florida law requires reporting certain accidents.
- Document the scene with photos of the vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Collect contact and insurance information from other drivers and any witnesses.
- Keep records of medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurer before speaking with a car accident lawyer in Brandon.
When You Can Pursue a Claim Beyond No-Fault
PIP coverage is the starting point, but it rarely covers the full cost of a serious injury. Florida law allows an injured person to step outside the no-fault system and pursue a claim against the at-fault driver when the injury meets a defined threshold.
Under Florida’s tort threshold, you may recover damages for pain and suffering and other non-economic losses when a crash causes:
- Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function
- A permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability
- Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death
Florida also follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under section 768.81 of the Florida Statutes, your recovery is reduced by your share of fault, and a person found more than 50 percent at fault for a crash generally cannot recover damages. A car accident attorney in Brandon can help establish fault and protect against efforts to shift blame onto you.
Compensation Available in a Brandon Car Accident Claim
The compensation available depends on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of the crash. A car accident attorney in Brandon can help you identify and document the full range of losses, which may include:
- Past and future medical expenses, including surgery, therapy, and rehabilitation
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life
- Out-of-pocket costs tied to the accident and your recovery
Florida's Deadline to File a Car Accident Claim
Florida sets a strict deadline for filing a car accident lawsuit. Under section 95.11(5)(a) of the Florida Statutes, most negligence claims, including car accident claims, must be filed within two years of the date of the crash. Florida law shortened this window from four years to two years for most negligence claims, so acting promptly matters.
Filing after the deadline almost always means losing the right to recover. Most car accident cases resolve through the car accident settlement process rather than at trial, but building a strong claim takes time to gather records, evidence, and medical documentation, so a car accident lawyer in Brandon can begin protecting your claim right away.
What Our Clients Say
Why Clients Choose Cantrell Schuette in Brandon?
Insurance companies have teams working to limit what they pay after a crash. As your Brandon car accident lawyer, Cantrell Schuette focuses on building a clear, well-documented claim and handling the process so you can focus on recovery, serving the Tampa Bay area and Hillsborough County. When you work with our firm, you receive:
- Direct access to the attorneys handling your case
- Clear communication about strategy, the process, and timelines
- Experience with Florida’s no-fault system and serious-injury claims
- Representation in negotiations and, when necessary, in court
- A free consultation to evaluate your car accident claim
Most car accident claims in Brandon proceed in Hillsborough County through the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, while certain cases involving parties from different states may be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division.
Speak With an Experienced Attorney Today
If you were injured in a car accident in Brandon, the deadline to act is shorter than many people realize, and early legal review can help protect your claim. Contact Cantrell Schuette today at (877) 858‑6868 or email [email protected] to schedule a free consultation with a Brandon car accident lawyer who understands Hillsborough County and the Tampa Bay area.
Brandon Personal Injury FAQs
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Is Florida a no-fault state for car accidents?
Yes. Florida drivers must carry Personal Injury Protection coverage that pays a portion of medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. For serious injuries that meet Florida’s legal threshold, you may also pursue a claim against the at-fault driver.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Florida?
Most car accident claims must be filed within two years of the crash under section 95.11(5)(a) of the Florida Statutes. Missing this deadline usually ends the right to recover, so it is wise to speak with a car accident lawyer in Brandon early.
What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, and a person found more than 50 percent at fault generally cannot recover. Determining fault often requires careful investigation of the crash.
Do I need a lawyer for a car accident claim in Brandon?
Not every minor crash requires an attorney, but cases involving serious injuries, disputed fault, or uncooperative insurers often benefit from legal guidance. Our guide on whether it is worth getting an attorney after a car accident can help you weigh your options, and a car accident attorney in Brandon can evaluate your claim.
How much does a Brandon car accident lawyer cost?
Car accident cases are commonly handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning the attorney’s fee comes from the recovery rather than an upfront payment. You can read more about what hiring a car accident attorney typically costs, and Cantrell Schuette offers a free consultation to review your case and explain the fee structure.