Lopes came to the UK to host the MOBO awards
The 30-year-old, who was on holiday in Honduras, was reportedly among seven people in the car and was the only fatality.
Spice Girl Melanie C, who recorded a hit single with the TLC singer, is among those leading the tributes.
The pair collaborated on the UK number one hit Never Be the Same Again in 2000.
Melanie C said she was very "shocked and upset" following the news and that her thoughts were with her friends and family.
'Crazy'
She added Lopes had been a "delight" to work with.
Lopes took the UK by storm when she was invited to host the 2000 Music of Black Origin Awards (Mobo) in London with BBC Radio 1 DJ Trevor Nelson.
Nelson said: "Lisa was part of the most amazing girl group of the '90s. They were a credible crossover band that paved the way for most female groups that followed.
"She was the 'crazy' in Crazy Sexy Cool and I had the privilege of presenting the Mobos with her a couple of years ago which was great fun.
"Waterfalls will forever be an R&B classic."
Mobo founder Kanya King admitted she was slightly apprehensive about Lopes hosting the event because of her "notorious reputation".
But she told BBC News 24 that as soon as she arrived, complete with bright green wig, the organisers knew they had made the right decision.
Inspiration
"Unfortunately, her press coverage was not about her fantastic musical ability and the inspiration to many people, but that is how we will remember her," said Ms King.
Ms King put Lopes' popularity down to the fact she had the image of standing up to the recording establishment and speaking her mind, becoming an inspiration for her young fans.
"She was a gifted, talented artist with a colourful style and personality that will be remembered forever," she added.
Rising R'n'B star Tweet, who is currently collaborating with top R'n'B producer and singer Missy Elliot, paid tribute to her contemporary.
"I was totally in shock the whole morning because it takes me back to Aaliyah," she told BBC Radio 1.
"(Lopes) was one a kind, she definitely had her own style, way of dressing and rapping, the way she was one of a kind."
Lopes is the second young R&B superstar to die suddenly in the past year.
Singer and actress Aaliyah was killed in a plane crash in the Bahamas in August 2001.