Get checked by a doctor, even if you feel okay
Adrenaline hides injuries. Neck, back, and concussion symptoms often show up a day or two later, and a gap between the crash and your first treatment is the first thing an insurance adjuster uses to argue you were not really hurt. A prompt medical visit creates the record your claim depends on.
Under Florida’s no-fault system, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage generally pays initial medical bills up to a limit, but PIP requires you to seek care within 14 days of the crash. Miss that window and you can lose the benefit entirely.
Document the scene and the other driver
If you can do it safely, photograph the vehicles, the damage, the road, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Get the other driver’s name, license, insurance information, and the responding officer’s crash report number. Names and phone numbers of any witnesses are worth more than people expect.
Report the crash — but watch what you say
Report the accident to your own insurance company promptly, as your policy requires. The other driver’s insurer is a different story: they may call within days, sound friendly, and ask for a recorded statement. You are not required to give the other driver’s insurer a recorded statement, and an early, off-the-cuff one is often used against you.
Before you accept any quick settlement offer, talk to a lawyer. Once you sign a release, you usually cannot reopen the claim — even if your injury turns out to be worse than it first seemed.
Why the first two days matter so much
Evidence disappears fast. Skid marks fade, vehicles get repaired, surveillance footage is overwritten, and memories blur. The sooner your claim is documented, the stronger it is. That is the practical reason to reach out early, not a sales pitch.
Common questions
Do I have to call the police after a car accident in Tampa?
Florida law requires reporting a crash that causes injury, death, or significant property damage. A police crash report also creates an independent record of what happened, which helps your claim.
How long do I have to bring a claim after a Tampa car accident?
For most negligence claims, Florida’s filing period is generally two years from the date of the crash under the 2023 reform (HB 837). Other timelines can apply, so confirm your specific situation early.