Were you injured in a car accident in St. Petersburg, Florida? Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers can help you understand your rights, deal with the insurance company, and pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other losses. Contact our St. Petersburg car accident lawyers at (813) 536-3437 for a free consultation.
Our attorneys have over 120 years of combined experience and have recovered over $500 million for injury victims. We know how stressful life can feel after a crash, and we are ready to help you take the next step.
How Can Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers Help After a Car Accident in St. Petersburg, Florida?
A car accident can leave you with painful injuries, missed work, and questions about who will pay your bills. A St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer from Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers can handle the legal process while you focus on your recovery.
When you hire our firm in St. Petersburg, FL, our attorneys can:
- Investigate the crash and gather key evidence
- Review police reports, photos, videos, and witness statements
- Identify all available insurance coverage
- Work with doctors and experts to understand your injuries
- Handle negotiations with the insurance company
- Fight for a fair settlement or take your case to court if needed
We are prepared to stand up to insurance companies and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call our St. Petersburg car accident attorneys today to arrange a free consultation.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in St. Petersburg?
Your health and safety should come first. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or if the crash is blocking traffic. You should also seek medical care as soon as possible, even if your injuries seem minor.
After a crash, try to:
- Move to a safe place if you can.
- Exchange contact and insurance information.
- Take photos of the vehicles, road, traffic signs, and injuries.
- Get names and contact information from witnesses.
- Avoid admitting fault at the scene.
- Report the crash to your insurance company.
- Speak with a lawyer before giving a recorded statement.
These steps can protect your health and preserve evidence. If you are too hurt to gather information, an attorney can investigate what happened.
How Does Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System Work?
Florida is a no-fault insurance state. Drivers must generally carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP covers 80% of necessary and reasonable medical expenses up to $10,000 for a covered injury, regardless of who caused the crash.
PIP can help pay some early medical bills, but it may not cover all of them. Serious injuries can quickly cost more than $10,000. You may also have lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs.
In some cases, Florida law may allow you to bring a claim against the at-fault driver. It typically applies to certain injury claims involving permanent injury, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, or death.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a St. Petersburg Car Accident?
The compensation available depends on your injuries, your evidence, and the insurance coverage involved. Every case is different.
Car accident victims may be able to recover compensation for:
- Emergency room care
- Hospital stays
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medication
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning ability
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
A lawyer can review your medical records, bills, and work history to understand how the crash changed your life.
What if I Was Partly at Fault for the Accident?
You may still be able to recover compensation if you were partly at fault, but your share of fault can affect your case. Florida uses a modified comparative fault rule. Under Florida Statutes section 768.81, a person who is more than 50% at fault generally cannot recover damages in a negligence action.
If you are 50% or less at fault, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you were 20% at fault, your recovery could be reduced by 20%.
Insurance companies may use this rule to shift blame and reduce their payouts.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
You typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This deadline is important because missing it can prevent you from recovering compensation in court.
Some cases may have different rules, such as claims involving government vehicles or wrongful death. Evidence can also disappear quickly, so it is wise to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a crash.
A lawyer can identify the deadlines that apply to your case and take action before time runs out.
Call Our St. Petersburg Car Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
The road to recovery after a crash can feel uncertain, especially when medical bills, missed paychecks, and insurance calls start piling up. Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers is ready to step in, protect your interests, and help you pursue the compensation available to you under Florida law.
With over a century of combined experience and hundreds of millions recovered, our attorneys know how to build strong cases for injured clients. Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation with a St. Petersburg car accident attorney.
