Tampa Car Accident Lawyers Who Know How Florida's System Actually Works

You have PIP insurance. The other driver may be at fault. And you're not sure whether any of it adds up to a real case. That uncertainty is exactly what insurance companies count on — and exactly what we're here to cut through.

 

At Barbas Nunez Sanders Butler & Hovsepian, our car accident lawyers have spent more than 40 years representing injured Floridians across Tampa, St. Petersburg, and the entire state. We've handled these cases from both sides of the table. We know how carriers evaluate claims, where they look for reasons to pay less, and how to build a case that holds up.

Florida's No-Fault System Has a Ceiling — and It's Lower Than You Think

Florida requires every driver to carry Personal Injury Protection insurance, commonly called PIP. After an accident, your own PIP policy is the first source of coverage — regardless of who caused the crash. But PIP is limited by design.

 

Your PIP coverage pays:

 

  • Up to $10,000 in combined medical expenses and lost wages
  • Only 80% of medical bills and 60% of lost wages, up to that cap
  • Nothing for pain and suffering
  • Nothing for permanent injuries beyond the policy limit

 

For a serious accident, $10,000 disappears fast. If your injuries cross Florida's serious injury threshold — permanent injury, significant scarring, or loss of a bodily function — you have the right to step outside the no-fault system and pursue a direct claim against the at-fault driver for full damages. That includes pain and suffering, full lost wages, and long-term medical costs that PIP will never touch.

 

If you're not sure whether your injuries qualify, that's the first question we answer — at no cost to you.

Shared Fault Doesn't End Your Recovery

Florida changed its comparative fault rules in 2023. Under the current law, you can recover damages as long as you were 50% or less responsible for the accident. Your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault — but it is not eliminated.

 

What this means in practice: fault allocation matters enormously. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys will work to assign you as much responsibility as possible, because every percentage point they add to your share reduces what they owe. Our job is to push back on that — with evidence, accident reconstruction, and a clear-eyed argument for why the fault picture favors you.

 

Even if you believe you share some responsibility for the crash, that belief may not reflect what the evidence actually shows. Let us evaluate it before you assume you don't have a case.

When the Other Driver Has No Insurance

Florida has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the country. If the driver who hit you had no insurance — or not enough to cover your losses — your own policy may still provide a path to recovery.

 

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, called UM/UIM, exists specifically for this situation. If you purchased UM/UIM coverage (and many Florida drivers have it without fully realizing it), your own insurer steps in to cover damages the at-fault driver cannot pay. That includes medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.

 

Your own insurance company will not volunteer this information. They will not remind you that you may have a UM/UIM claim or explain how to maximize it. That's our job — and it's one of the most common ways we recover meaningful compensation for clients who assumed they had no options.

What a Car Accident Claim in Florida Can Cover

When you have a valid claim outside the PIP system, the damages available go well beyond what your no-fault policy provides. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to:

 

  • Full reimbursement of past and future medical expenses
  • Complete lost wage recovery, including future earning capacity
  • Compensation for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
  • Damages for permanent disability or disfigurement
  • Wrongful death damages if a family member was killed in the crash

 

The value of a car accident claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the clarity of fault, the available insurance coverage, and how the case is built from day one. Evidence gathered early — medical records, accident reports, witness statements, surveillance footage — shapes every outcome. Don't wait.

 

Florida's statute of limitations for car accident claims is two years from the date of the crash. After that deadline, your right to recover is gone.

Why Injured Floridians Choose Our Firm

We are not a volume operation. When you call us, you work with attorneys who know your case — not a rotating cast of case managers passing your file down a chain.

 

  • 40+ years representing injured Floridians in workers' compensation and personal injury
  • Former defense-side experience: we know how carriers build their cases because we built them
  • Board Certified attorneys in Workers' Compensation (Florida Bar)
  • Bilingual representation: Steve Barbas and Kelly Nunez handle cases in Spanish and English at the partner level
  • Recognized by Super Lawyers, Florida Legal Elite, Best Lawyers, AV Preeminent, and Avvo 10.0
  • Offices in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Land O' Lakes — virtual appointments available statewide

 

If you're looking for a car accident lawyer in Tampa who will answer your questions directly, explain what your case is actually worth, and fight the insurance company without treating you like a number, we want to hear from you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accident Claims in Florida

  • Do I need a lawyer if I already have PIP insurance?
    PIP covers a limited slice of your losses — and only up to $10,000. If your injuries are serious, a lawyer can evaluate whether you have a claim against the at-fault driver for the full damages PIP doesn't reach. Most people with significant injuries do.
  • What counts as a "serious injury" under Florida law?
    Florida's serious injury threshold includes significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, and death. If your injuries fall into any of these categories, you may be able to step outside the no-fault system.
  • How does Florida's comparative fault rule affect my case?
    Under Florida's modified comparative fault law, you can recover damages if you were 50% or less at fault. Your recovery is reduced proportionally — so if you were 20% at fault, you recover 80% of your total damages. An attorney's job is to make sure fault is allocated accurately, not generously toward the insurance company.
  • What if the driver who hit me was uninsured?
    Your own UM/UIM coverage may apply. This is coverage you may have purchased as part of your auto policy that pays when the at-fault driver can't. Many clients don't realize they have it until we review their policy — and it can be the difference between a full recovery and nothing.
  • How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Florida?
    Two years from the date of the accident. Missing that deadline means losing your right to recover, regardless of how strong your case is. The sooner you contact an attorney, the more time there is to gather evidence and build your claim properly.
  • How much does it cost to hire a car accident lawyer?
    Nothing upfront. We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis — we only get paid if we recover money for you. Your free consultation costs nothing, and you owe us nothing unless we win.

The Attorneys Handling Your Personal Injury Case

Personal injury litigation at Barbas Nunez Sanders Butler & Hovsepian is led by three attorneys whose backgrounds bring distinct strengths to every case.

Kelly Barcia Nunez

Kelly Barcia Nunez is a Florida Bar Board Certified attorney and founding partner with more than 30 years of litigation experience. Her command of Florida injury law and her direct client communication style have made her one of the firm's most trusted advocates for accident victims.

L. Gray Sanders

L. Gray Sanders spent time on the defense side of civil litigation before joining the firm, which means he approaches every personal injury case understanding exactly how the opposing carrier will evaluate and contest it. That inside knowledge shapes case strategy from the first file review.

Kristen Emerson

Kristen Emerson holds a nursing degree alongside her law license. In personal injury cases involving serious physical injuries, disputed diagnoses, or contested medical causation, her clinical background is a concrete advantage — she understands what happened to your body, not just what the records say.

Two cars parked nose-to-nose with three people inspecting the damage between them

Talk to a Tampa Car Accident Attorney Today

You don't need to figure out Florida's no-fault rules, fault percentages, and insurance coverage limits on your own — especially while you're dealing with injuries, missed work, and mounting bills. We've spent decades helping injured Floridians understand exactly where they stand and what their case is worth.

 

Call us at 800-227-2275, reach our Tampa office directly at 813-279-2686, or fill out our contact form to request your free consultation. We serve clients throughout Florida, with offices in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Land O' Lakes and virtual appointments available wherever you are.