“Courtesy: Florida 511”
Late Wednesday night, a two‑vehicle collision on eastbound I‑4 near McIntosh Road left a 16‑year‑old passenger dead and six other teens hurt, according to the Florida Highway PatrolFOX 13 Tampa Bay. For those mourning—or recovering from—this tragedy, the next few days will feel overwhelming. As a Florida Bar‑certified personal‑injury and criminal‑defense lawyer, I want to outline the practical steps every victim or family member should take and explain why early legal help can protect both health and rights.
1. Put Safety and Medical Proof First
- Seek immediate care. Even “minor” soreness can mask internal trauma. Prompt treatment documents injuries and ties them to the crash—evidence insurers cannot ignore.
- Follow every medical order. Missed appointments give insurers ammunition to claim you weren’t truly injured.
2. Preserve the Evidence
- Obtain the crash report and any available dash‑cam or traffic‑cam footage.
- Photograph vehicles, debris, and injuries before repairs or healing erase critical details.
- Collect witness names now; memories fade quickly, especially among teen passengers.
3. Understand Liability Complexities
Troopers say an SUV changed lanes and struck a Cadillac; a passenger wasn’t wearing a seat beltFOX 13 Tampa Bay. Florida’s new modified comparative‑fault rule bars recovery if a plaintiff is more than 50 % at faultFlorida Senate, so insurers will seize on seat‑belt use and teen driving mistakes to shift blame. A personal‑injury attorney can marshal crash‑reconstruction experts to counter those tactics.
4. Act Before the Clock Runs Out
In 2023 Florida shortened most negligence statutes of limitation from four years to twoFlorida Senate. For wrongful‑death claims the period is also two years. Waiting can forever close the courthouse doors.
5. Protect Teens Facing Possible Charges
When a fatality occurs, teenage drivers may confront vehicular‑homicide or reckless‑driving investigations. Early advice from a criminal‑defense lawyer ensures statements to police or insurers do not become self‑incrimination.
6. Coordinate Insurance and Benefits
Florida’s Personal‑Injury‑Protection (PIP) pays only up to $10,000 and 80 % of medical bills—often a fraction of catastrophic costs. An attorney can uncover additional coverage: household policies, stacked UM/UIM, or the at‑fault driver’s bodily‑injury limits.
7. Manage Media and Social‑Media Exposure
High‑profile crashes attract reporters. Well‑meaning posts can be twisted against injury or criminal cases. Counsel will handle press inquiries and coach families on safe online behavior.
Why Engage Rodriguez & Williamson Now?
- Rapid evidence preservation. Our investigators are on scene before skid marks fade.
- Bilingual, community‑focused advocacy. We communicate clearly with Spanish‑speaking families and minority communities throughout Tampa Bay.
- Trial‑tested reputation. Insurers know we prepare every file as if a jury will decide it.
If you or a loved one were involved in this I‑4 crash—or any serious accident—reach out today for a free, confidential case evaluation. We will treat you with the same commitment and care we would extend to our own family. Justice cannot wait, and neither should you.