1. Farah & Farah
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, wrongful death, personal injury.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, commercial truck accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, rideshare accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, property damage claims, wrongful death claims, emotional distress claims.
Background: Farah & Farah has been fighting for the rights of Tampa accident victims since 1979 (over 45 years of operation). The firm has recovered over $2 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients. The firm operates as a family-centered personal injury law office providing compassionate advocacy and representation. Attorney Joseph Nemeh has valuable trial experience from his early career protecting consumers and later defending insurance companies, giving him insider knowledge of insurance company strategies. Attorney Matthew Podolsky has an extensive background in finance and previously owned his own law firm.
Location: Tampa, FL (Contact firm for specific address)
Contact: (813) 358-0490 | https://farahandfarah.com/tampa/
Consultation: Free consultation offered. Contingency fee basis: nothing up front, nothing out of pocket, no fee unless recovery is obtained.
2. Burnetti, P.A.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, premises liability, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, wrongful death.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, accidents on I-275, I-4, and Dale Mabry Highway, distracted driving accidents, speeding accidents, impaired driving accidents, catastrophic injury cases.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, expert testimony coordination, medical expense recovery (past and future), lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims.
Background: Burnetti, P.A. serves as a family-oriented firm providing personalized attention to Tampa accident victims. The firm has extensive experience across a wide range of injury claims in Hillsborough County. Notable results include $7,250,000 recovery for a car accident resulting in death by a driver under the influence and $3,820,000 verdict for a woman who suffered traumatic brain injury. The firm is prepared to take cases to Hillsborough County court if necessary to achieve justice.
Location: Tampa, FL
Contact: (813) 414-5884 | https://www.burnetti.com/tampa/
Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultation offered. Contingency fee basis: no fee unless recovery is obtained.
3. Florin|Roebig
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, tourist-related accidents, stadium area accidents near Raymond James Stadium, hit-and-run accidents, fatal crashes, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, property damage claims.
Background: Florin|Roebig is an established personal injury law firm with experience handling car accident cases throughout Tampa and Hillsborough County. The firm provides free case evaluations to help clients determine whether to pursue a claim. The attorneys have extensive knowledge of Florida auto insurance laws and can help clients navigate personal injury protection (PIP) requirements.
Location: Tampa, FL (Contact firm for specific address)
Contact: Contact firm through website | https://florinroebig.com/car-accidents/florida/tampa/
Consultation: Free case evaluation offered. Contact firm for fee arrangement details.
4. Gibbs & Parnell, P.A.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability, slip and fall accidents, dog bites, wrongful death.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, texting while driving accidents, construction zone accidents, whiplash injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputation cases, burn injuries.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, property damage claims.
Background: Gibbs & Parnell, P.A. was formed in 1995 and has represented accident and injury victims for over 30 years. The firm’s attorneys have a combined experience of more than 114 years. The firm has won millions for clients and has handled some of the largest malpractice, auto accident, and personal injury cases. Gibbs & Parnell has been recognized by Million Dollar Advocates Forum, holds a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated AV Preeminent rating, and has received the AVVO Clients’ Choice designation.
Location: Tampa, FL
Contact: (813) 975-4444 | https://www.car-accident-attorney-tampa.com
Consultation: Free consultation offered. Contact firm for fee arrangement details.
5. Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, rideshare accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, commercial truck accidents, fatal crashes, hit-and-run accidents, accidents throughout Hillsborough County.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, property damage claims.
Background: Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers has extensive experience representing clients in auto accident cases throughout Tampa and Hillsborough County. According to preliminary Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) data, there were approximately 9,825 auto accidents in Tampa and Hillsborough County during the first five months of 2025, including 61 fatal crashes. The firm provides support and guidance to families who have lost loved ones in fatal crashes through wrongful death claims.
Location: Tampa, FL
Contact: (813) 896-4480 | https://www.cataniaandcatania.com/tampa-car-accident-lawyer/
Consultation: Free consultation offered. Contact firm for fee arrangement details.
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Florida
Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Personal Injury Claims: Under Florida Statutes Section 95.11, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from car accidents is two years from the date of the accident or from the date the injury was discovered. If a lawsuit is not filed within this two-year period, Florida courts will generally dismiss the case, and the injured party loses the right to seek compensation. This deadline was reduced from four years to two years effective March 24, 2023.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Property damage claims arising from car accidents in Florida are subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident under Florida Statutes Section 95.11(3)(p).
Fault vs. No-Fault Insurance State Status: Florida is a no-fault insurance state. This means that regardless of who caused the accident, each driver’s own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers their initial medical expenses and lost wages up to policy limits. However, Florida also allows injured parties to step outside the no-fault system and file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver if their injuries meet a certain threshold (permanent injury, significant scarring, or disfigurement).
Comparative Negligence Rules: Effective March 24, 2023, Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system under Florida Statutes Section 768.81. An injured party can recover damages as long as their percentage of fault does not exceed 50%. If found 51% or more at fault, the claimant is barred from any recovery. Damages are reduced by the claimant’s percentage of fault. Previously, Florida followed pure comparative negligence, which allowed recovery even at 99% fault.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Under Florida Statutes Section 324.021, drivers must maintain minimum coverage of: $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage. Florida does not require bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage for most drivers, though it is recommended.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Requirements: Florida requires all drivers to carry $10,000 in PIP coverage. PIP covers 80% of reasonable medical expenses and 60% of lost wages up to the policy limit, regardless of fault. However, to receive the full $10,000 benefit, the injured person must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident. If treatment is not sought within 14 days, PIP benefits are limited to $2,500.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Regulations: Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is optional in Florida but must be offered by insurance companies. Policyholders must reject UM/UIM coverage in writing if they do not want it. This coverage protects policyholders when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage.
Damage Caps: Florida generally does not cap economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, property damage) or non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in most personal injury cases, including car accidents. However, punitive damages are capped at the greater of three times compensatory damages or $500,000 under Florida Statutes Section 768.73.
Accident Reporting Requirements: Under Florida Statutes Section 316.066, drivers must report accidents to law enforcement if the crash results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500. The driver must report the accident to the local police department or Florida Highway Patrol immediately.
Dram Shop Liability Laws: Florida has limited dram shop liability. Under Florida Statutes Section 768.125, establishments that serve alcohol are generally not liable for injuries caused by intoxicated patrons. However, liability exists if the establishment knowingly served alcohol to a person under 21 or to a person known to be habitually addicted to alcohol.
Vicarious Liability Rules for Vehicle Owners: Under Florida’s Dangerous Instrumentality Doctrine, vehicle owners can be held vicariously liable for accidents caused by anyone driving their vehicle with permission (express or implied), regardless of negligence in entrusting the vehicle. This makes Florida unique compared to most states.
Rental Car and Rideshare Accident Liability Rules: Rental car companies are generally protected from vicarious liability under the federal Graves Amendment (49 U.S.C. Section 30106). Rideshare companies (Uber, Lyft) maintain commercial insurance policies: $50,000/$100,000/$25,000 when the app is on but no ride is accepted; $1 million in liability coverage once a ride is accepted and during the trip.
Bad Faith Insurance Claim Laws: Under Florida law, insurance companies must handle claims in good faith. If an insurer fails to settle a claim in good faith when it should have, the insurer may be liable for damages exceeding policy limits. Florida allows both first-party (policyholder vs. own insurer) and third-party (injured party vs. at-fault driver’s insurer) bad faith claims.
Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations and Eligible Claimants: Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the decedent’s death under Florida Statutes Section 95.11(4)(d). Claims must be brought by the personal representative of the decedent’s estate on behalf of survivors. Eligible beneficiaries include the surviving spouse, children, parents, and any blood relatives or adoptive siblings who were partly or wholly dependent on the decedent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for filing a car accident injury claim in Florida?
Florida law provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from car accidents under Florida Statutes Section 95.11. This deadline begins on the date the accident occurred or when the injury was discovered. If a lawsuit is not filed in court within this two-year period, Florida courts will generally dismiss the case, and you lose the right to seek compensation. This deadline was shortened from four years to two years effective March 24, 2023. Property damage claims have a longer four-year deadline. It is important to act promptly because insurance claims also have reporting deadlines, and PIP benefits require medical treatment within 14 days of the accident to receive the full $10,000 benefit.
How does Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule affect my compensation?
Effective March 24, 2023, Florida changed from pure comparative negligence to a modified comparative negligence system under Florida Statutes Section 768.81. Under the new rule, you can still recover compensation if you were partially at fault for the accident, but only if your percentage of fault does not exceed 50%. If you are found 51% or more responsible, you are barred from any recovery. Your compensation is reduced proportionally by your percentage of fault. For example, if your total damages are $100,000 and you are found 25% at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $75,000. Insurance adjusters and opposing counsel often attempt to increase your fault percentage to reduce or eliminate your recovery.
What is Florida’s no-fault insurance system and how does it work?
Florida is a no-fault insurance state, which means that after a car accident, each driver’s own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers their initial medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident. Florida requires all drivers to carry $10,000 in PIP coverage. PIP pays 80% of reasonable medical expenses and 60% of lost wages up to the policy limit. However, you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident to receive the full $10,000 benefit; otherwise, benefits are limited to $2,500. The no-fault system is designed to provide quick compensation without litigation. However, if your injuries are serious (permanent injury, significant scarring, or disfigurement), you can step outside the no-fault system and file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for additional damages including pain and suffering.
What happens if I am hit by an uninsured driver in Florida?
If you are injured by an uninsured driver in Florida, your recovery options depend on whether you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own policy. UM coverage is optional in Florida but must be offered by insurance companies. If you have UM coverage, you can file a claim with your own insurance company for damages up to your policy limits after your PIP benefits are exhausted. If you do not have UM coverage, your options are more limited. You could file a lawsuit directly against the uninsured driver, but collecting any judgment may be difficult if they have limited assets. Additionally, Florida’s Dangerous Instrumentality Doctrine may allow you to pursue the vehicle owner if someone else was driving with permission.
How do I file a claim against a government vehicle or entity if I was hit by a city or state vehicle in Florida?
Claims against government entities in Florida are governed by Florida Statutes Section 768.28, which provides a limited waiver of sovereign immunity. Before filing a lawsuit against a government entity, you must first provide written notice of your claim to the appropriate agency. For state agencies, you must notify the Department of Financial Services; for local governments, you must notify the agency involved. The government entity then has 180 days to investigate your claim. Damage caps apply to government claims: $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident for most government entities. Claims exceeding these amounts require a special legislative claims bill. Given the complex procedural requirements and shorter notice periods, consulting with an attorney promptly is essential to preserve your rights.