Were you injured in a car accident in St. Petersburg, Florida? If so, call Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers at (813) 536-3527 to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced St. Petersburg car accident lawyers.
At Catania & Catania, P.A., our team brings more than 120 years of combined legal experience to every case we handle. With over a billion dollars recovered, we have a proven track record of success. We can help you understand your rights, deal with insurance companies, and pursue compensation for your injuries.
Why Choose Catania & Catania, P.A. for Help After a Car Accident in St. Petersburg?
Choosing the right St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer after a car accident can make a significant difference in your recovery, both physically and financially.
Founded over 30 years ago by brothers Peter and Paul Catania, Catania & Catania, P.A. has built a strong reputation for advocating for injured clients in St. Petersburg, FL, and throughout the Tampa Bay area. Additionally, members of our legal team have been recognized by Martindale-Hubbell and Best Attorneys of America.
Our St. Petersburg car accident attorneys have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for accident victims, and our team includes former insurance defense attorneys and public defenders. This diverse background allows us to anticipate how insurance companies operate and build stronger cases for our clients.
Call today to set up a complimentary case review.
Our Case Results
Catania & Catania, P.A. has helped many injured car accident victims in Florida and recovered settlements and verdicts that include:
- A $3 million award in an auto accident case
- A $2.6 million award in a motor vehicle accident claim
- A $2.4 million award in a car accident case
- A $1.1 million award in an auto accident claim
- A $1 million award in a motor vehicle accident case
In total, we have recovered over a billion dollars in compensation for past clients.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Hiring a car accident attorney can help protect you from being overwhelmed by insurance companies, legal deadlines, and complex evidence issues.
Important benefits of hiring a car accident attorney in St. Petersburg to represent you include:
- Leveling the playing field against insurance companies
- Access to experts who can strengthen your case
- Knowledge of the legal system and procedural rules
- Experience in presenting evidence clearly and persuasively
- Guidance on whether a settlement offer is fair
- Protection from tactics that could undervalue your claim
With the right legal help, you can make informed decisions while focusing on your recovery.
St. Petersburg Car Accident Statistics
St. Petersburg is the largest city in Pinellas County, which, according to preliminary data, has seen 10,379 car crashes in 2026. 47 of these crashes were fatal, and another 4,585 resulted in an injury to at least one of the victims. There has been a total of 48 fatalities and 6,248 injuries. March has had the most car crashes in the county (1,237), while June has had the fewest (1,029).
Most Dangerous Intersections in St. Petersburg
While you should drive carefully anywhere in St. Petersburg, a recent traffic collision study identified the following intersections as part of the high-injury network:
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. S and 62nd Ave S
- N Dr. Martin Luther King Jr St N and 30th Ave N
- 4th St N and 5th Ave N
- 4th St N and 1st Ave N
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr St S and 5th Ave N
- 20th St N and 5th Ave N
- 66th St N and Pasadena Ave N
- 28th St N and Central Ave
- 34th St N and 18th Ave S
- 34th St N and Central Ave
The high-injury network identifies the streets in a community that have a disproportionate number of serious injury crashes and fatal crashes.
Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle
Car accidents can happen in many different ways, and each type of crash presents unique legal challenges. Below are some of the most common types of cases our firm handles in the St. Petersburg area:
- Rear-end accidents
- Highway crashes
- Left-turn accidents
- Parking lot accidents
- Lane change crashes
- Intersection crashes
- Multi-vehicle accidents
Most Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents in St. Petersburg can occur for many reasons, but most are tied to driver behavior or preventable hazards. Understanding the common causes of crashes can help highlight how negligence often plays a role in these incidents.
Some of the most common causes of auto accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Road defects
- Fatigued driving
- Drunk driving
- Driving a defective vehicle
- Impaired driving
Identifying the cause of an accident is a key part of determining liability and pursuing compensation.
How Much Money Can I Get from a Car Accident Case?
The amount of compensation you may recover after an accident depends on the unique circumstances of your case.
Some of the most important factors that can affect the value of your case include:
- The severity and long-term impact of your injuries
- The extent of your required medical treatment, both current and future
- Whether you are able to return to work, and in what capacity
- The strength of the evidence supporting your claim
- The amount of available insurance coverage
- Whether you share any responsibility for the accident
- Whether your case settles or goes to trial
An experienced personal injury attorney in St. Petersburg can evaluate these factors, build a strong claim, and work to pursue the full compensation available under Florida law.
What Types of Damages Are Available to St. Petersburg Car Accident Victims?
After an accident, many victims are surprised to learn that Florida’s no-fault insurance laws can affect how compensation is recovered. In most cases, injured drivers must first seek benefits through their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage before pursuing a claim against the at-fault driver.
However, if their injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold, they may be able to pursue additional damages from the at-fault driver. While PIP can help cover certain medical expenses and lost income, it often does not fully compensate victims for the lasting physical, emotional, and financial impact of a serious crash.
Common examples of damages available in car accident cases include:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, hospitalization, and future treatment
- Lost wages from time missed at work
- Loss of earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job
- Property damage, such as vehicle repair or replacement
- Pain and suffering resulting from physical injuries
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life or reduced quality of life
The specific damages available will depend on the details of your case and the extent of your injuries. An attorney can help you understand your options and pursue compensation.
Can I Receive Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault for a Car Accident in Florida?
Yes, you may still be able to recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for an accident in Florida. The state follows a modified comparative fault rule, which allows injured parties to recover damages as long as they are not more than 50% at fault for the accident.
Under this system, your compensation is reduced based on your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault for a crash and awarded $100,000 in damages, you may still recover $80,000. However, if you are more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering compensation.
Insurance companies often try to shift blame to reduce payouts, so it’s important to carefully evaluate how fault is determined in your case. A clear understanding of liability can have a major impact on the amount you ultimately recover.
Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, from relatively minor conditions to life-altering trauma. The severity often depends on factors such as speed, point of impact, and whether safety equipment was used. Even low-speed collisions can result in injuries that require medical attention and ongoing care.
Some of the most common car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones and lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severed limbs
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Neck and back injuries
- Facial fractures
- Burns
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Strains, sprains, and bruises
Seeking prompt medical care after an accident is critical, even if symptoms are not immediately apparent.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should consult an attorney as soon as possible after your crash and after you have been evaluated by a medical professional for any injuries. In addition to caring for your health, prompt treatment also generates important evidence, such as medical records and invoices, that can become important in any future legal actions.
If you are able, you may also want to gather and organize any evidence you already have and contact your insurance company to initiate a claim. An attorney can also assist with these tasks once you hire one, but getting a head start can be helpful.
The steps you take after a car accident can have a significant impact on your health and your ability to recover compensation. It’s important to remain calm and take practical actions to protect yourself and document what happened.
After a car crash, you should:
- Call 911 and report the accident.
- Seek medical attention right away.
- Move to a safe location if possible.
- Exchange information with the other driver(s).
- Take photos or videos of the scene, vehicles, and injuries.
- Gather contact information from witnesses.
- Avoid admitting fault or making detailed statements.
- Notify your insurance company.
Taking these steps can help preserve evidence and support any future legal claim.
Most car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t have to pay any upfront costs to get legal representation. Instead, your attorney’s fee is typically a percentage of the compensation recovered in your case. If no recovery is obtained, you generally do not owe attorney’s fees.
This arrangement allows injured victims to access legal help regardless of their financial situation. It also aligns your lawyer’s interests with yours, as they are motivated to pursue the best possible outcome. During your initial consultation, your attorney should explain how fees and costs work so you know exactly what to expect moving forward.
Florida’s no-fault insurance system requires drivers to have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage that they must turn to first after a car accident, regardless of who caused it.
Drivers must carry at least $10,000 in PIP coverage, which pays 80% of qualifying medical expenses and 60% of lost wages, subject to policy limits and other restrictions. However, accident victims who suffer serious injuries may also pursue compensation from the at-fault driver, including damages for pain and suffering, if they meet the state’s legal requirements.
For most personal injury claims arising from car accidents, Florida generally gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This deadline is called the statute of limitations.
If you fail to file within this deadline, you may lose your right to pursue compensation entirely. While two years may seem like plenty of time, it’s important to act sooner rather than later. Evidence can disappear, and witness memories can fade over time, which can weaken your case.
There may be exceptions that affect the filing deadline depending on the circumstances, so it’s important to understand how the law applies to your specific situation and take action promptly.
Call Our St. Petersburg Car Accident Attorneys Today for Help
If you’ve been injured in an accident in St. Petersburg, FL, you don’t have to handle the aftermath on your own. Having the right legal team on your side can make a meaningful difference in how your case is handled and resolved.
Call Catania & Catania, P.A. today to schedule a free consultation with a St. Petersburg car accident attorney and learn how we can help you move forward.
