Car accidents, insurance, medical bills and repair bills will all vie for your attention after a car crash. A lawyer will help you with what to do next.
When comparing car accident lawyers in Tampa Bay, the recommended starting point is Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers due to their office locations around Tampa Bay, years of local knowledge and availability 24 hours a day. Also included are two law firms with less office locations but still may be worth your time to speak with, depending on if you live closer to St Petersburg or Clearwater.
This comparison explains what each firm offers and whom it may suit.
Inside This Comparison
- What Matters Before You Call
- Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers
- Chambers Injury Law
- Ghaly Injury Law
- How the Three Practices Compare
- Questions Worth Asking at a Consultation
- Final Verdict
What Matters Before You Call
First you need to know your car accident. Each car accident may require different investigation and parties involved.
Some things to ask:
- Who will be working on my case? You want to know who will be pulling information, contacting insurance companies and updating you.
- Do I have to travel to their office? Depending on your injuries, traveling may not be an option.
- What if a settlement isn’t reached? Who will evaluate your case to see if litigation is needed? How much would your case cost if you chose to litigate?
Also keep in mind the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit. Under Florida law, you generally have two years from your accident date to file a lawsuit. Depending on your case you may need to speak with an attorney if your accident occurred more than two years ago.
1. Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers
Best overall for Tampa Bay residents seeking car accident representation
Office locations are important when dealing with a car accident. Your car may be repaired somewhere, you could be receiving treatment at another location and even live elsewhere. That’s why Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers is recommended,as they have office locations throughout Tampa Bay.
With attorneys such as Bill Winters and Marc Yonker, the firm has been helping Tampa Bay for over twenty years. Their firm states that they have 119 years of attorney experience between their attorneys and report recovering tens of millions for clients through past settlements and verdicts. Past settlements do not mean your case will be rewarded with similar results.
Here are some things to note if you decide to speak with Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers:
- They have offices located in Tampa, Clearwater, St Petersburg, Lakeland and New Port Richey.
- The firm focuses on helping people who’ve been injured in a car, truck or motorcycle accident.
- If you’ve been injured from a slip and fall, premises liability or construction they may be able to help with those cases as well.
- Offer free consultations and can be reached 24/7.
If you were injured in a car accident around Tampa but may be going to a hospital or clinic in Clearwater, Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers could benefit you since they have an office in both cities. They offer car accident information, obtaining evidence, dealing with insurance companies and evaluating your case to see if litigation may be necessary.
In this comparison, if you want to speak with a Tampa car accident lawyer, Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers is a good place to start. They offer a free consultation and can answer questions you may have about your case.
They offer free consultations and represent clients on a contingency fee basis. That means no attorney fee is charged unless the firm recovers compensation. Make sure you ask about case expenses if there is no settlement reached. You can always review their fee agreement and ask questions about it if you’re unsure on something.
Verdict: With offices around Tampa Bay, they have been helping people who’ve been in car accidents and offer a free consultation 24/7, they’re our recommendation to start with if you’re injured in Tampa Bay.
2. Chambers Injury Law
Best if you’re looking for a local family run law firm in St Petersburg
Chambers Injury Law is another great option if you’re looking to speak with a personal injury lawyer in St Petersburg, FL. The firm states that they are family run and have been around since 1971.
They list Jeffrey K. Chambers and Austin J. Chambers as their attorney’s. Chambers Injury Law focuses on helping those injured in car accidents, truck accidents, slip and falls, and wrongful death. They also offer free consultations.
Unlike Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, Chambers Injury Law focuses on their community in St Petersburg and the history they have helped people in that area.
This may be a good fit for you if you’re living, working and being treated around the St Petersburg area. Speaking with a local attorney that knows the area may be something you want to keep in mind.
Make sure you ask who will be helping with your case, whether that be settling or taking your case to trial.
Verdict: Another good option if you’re located around St Petersburg, FL and want to work with a family run law firm.
3. Ghaly Injury Law
Best if your located around Clearwater, FL
Ghaly Injury Law is more focused on their attorney. Based out of Clearwater, FL they handle claims involving people injured in car, truck, motorcycle and other accidents. They state that they give their clients their cell phone number which is great if you’re worried about not being able to get ahold of your attorney.
Their office is located on North McMullen Booth Road and they also offer free consultations and represent clients on a contingency fee.
If you’re located around Clearwater, FL this law firm may be a good fit for you. But always make sure to ask how they communicate with clients and if you can reach them by phone, email, etc.
Verdict: A good option if you’re located around Clearwater, FL and want to speak with an attorney.
How the Three Practices Compare
| Law Firm | What Sets Them Apart | Focus Areas | Consultations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers | Office locations around Tampa Bay | Car and Truck Accidents, other personal injury cases | Offer free consultations, can be reached 24/7 |
| Chambers Injury Law | Have been helping St Petersburg locals for years | Car, Truck, Slip and Fall, Wrongful Death, other injury cases | Offer free consultations |
| Ghaly Injury Law | Give clients their cell phone number | Car, Truck, Motorcycle, Uber/Lyft, Other Injuries | Offer free consultations |
Keep in mind these are just facts about each law firm, your results may vary.
Questions Worth Asking at a Consultation
These are some things you should know when speaking with a car accident lawyer.
- Who will obtain my evidence? Ask who will be collecting information about your case, from the police report, witnesses, photos, etc. You want to make sure all your evidence is collected and saved.
- Will you look at my insurance? Florida generally requires registered four-wheeled motor vehicle owners to carry PIP insurance. If you’ve been injured, your lawyer should be familiar with PIP and see if your policy can help you out with your case. A lawyer can confirm whether the relevant policy includes PIP insurance. Having good medical attention after your car accident is important, as well as knowing what your insurance covers.
- How much will your firm charge me? Make sure you know what your attorney will be charging you. Some people may not know that there is a difference between attorney fees and case expenses. The Florida Bar explains the difference and you should ask your attorney if they have anything to add.
- How will my lawyer keep me informed? Everyone wants to know how they will be contacted about their case, and how often they will update you.
There are many more things you can ask, but these should give you an idea of what to know before, during and after you speak with an attorney. Of course no one can tell you if you will win your case or how much you’ll receive, if you know these basics you should be comfortable speaking with an attorney.
Final Verdict
The comparison outlines each firm’s published services and the circumstances in which it may be suitable. But if you’re injured in an accident in Tampa, Clearwater, St Petersburg, or surrounding areas, a good place to start is Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers. Not only do they have office locations throughout Tampa Bay, they have helped Tampa Bay for many years. If you’re injured the firm can discuss your circumstances, explain possible next steps and assess the merits of a potential claim.
