St. Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyer

Have you been seriously hurt in an accident in St. Petersburg, FL? If your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or wrongdoing, you may be entitled to compensation. However, getting the fair compensation you deserve can be a challenge without the right legal representation from an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer.

Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers has represented injury victims in St. Pete for over 28 years. Contact our law office today or call us at (727) 263-3189 for a free consultation with a St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer ready to give you the vigorous representation you need.

How Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers Can Help You After an Accident in St. Petersburg, FL

How Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers Can Help You After an Accident in St. Petersburg, FL

After an accident leaves you with serious injuries, you deserve fair compensation to pay your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Unfortunately, recovering the maximum compensation you deserve can be challenging. The insurance company may not act in good faith. They may blame you for your accident, minimize the severity of the harm you suffered, or pressure you to accept a low-ball settlement offer.

You deserve an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer to protect your best interests. Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers is an award-winning law firm in St. Petersburg, Florida. Since 1992, we have fought tirelessly for accident victims and families. We have been recognized with the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent rating and the 2020 Silver Client Champion Award.

When you choose our law office in Pinellas County, you will always work with a partner, not a case manager, to guarantee your case gets the personal attention it deserves. 

Here is what we will do to help you after your accident.

  • Offer the legal advice and support you need
  • Conduct an independent investigation into your accident
  • Identify all avenues for compensation
  • Handle all communications and court filings
  • Work with specialists as needed to analyze evidence and present expert testimony on causation and your damages
  • Negotiate on your behalf to seek a fair settlement offer
  • Take your case before a jury if a settlement is not reached

You do not need to take on the insurance company alone. Contact Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation to discuss what we can do to help you.

How Common Are Accidents in St. Petersburg?

Personal injury cases may result from any type of accident or intentional harm. Most personal injury cases arise from auto accidents. In 2018, St. Petersburg had more fatal accidents than ever, with 40 traffic fatalities. That’s up 60% from 25 traffic deaths in 2017.

According to St. Pete police, the biggest factors contributing to fatal car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents are:

  • Motorcyclists not wearing helmets
  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Pedestrians not using crosswalks
  • Aggressive driving is a factor in one-third of traffic deaths in the county

Across Pinellas County, there were 14,313 traffic accidents in 2020, with 112 fatalities. These accidents caused over 8,400 injuries. The county also had 518 bicycle crashes (8 fatal), 411 motorcycle accidents (18 fatal), and 438 pedestrian accidents (32 fatal). Sadly, almost one-third of accidents in Pinellas County were hit and run crashes, which caused 16 deaths.

Slips and falls are also a leading cause of injuries and accidental death in St. Pete. Every year, about 15,000 older adults in the U.S. suffer a fatal slip and fall accident. In 2019, more than 3,000 seniors were fatally injured in a fall in Florida. Slip and fall accidents are not just a danger for seniors; they are also the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims.

Not all personal injury cases involve accidents. Sadly, Pinellas County had 3,986 violent crimes reported in 2017 alone, not counting domestic violence. There were 607 forcible sexual crimes the same year. Physical assault, sexual assault, accidental shootings, and homicide can all give rise to personal injury or wrongful death claims.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in St. Petersburg

types of personal injury cases we handle in st petersburg fl

Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers represent personal injury victims and their families in all areas of personal injury law. Whether you were hurt in an accident, on the job, during medical treatment, or due to a crime, we can help.

The following are the most common types of St. Petersburg personal injury cases we handle:

No matter how your accident occurred, the St. Petersburg personal injury attorneys at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers are here to help. Contact our law office at (727) 263-3189 for the experienced attorney representation you deserve.

We’re here to help, 24/7

St. Petersburg Car Accidents 

St. Petersburg saw an increase in fatal car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents in 2018. Across Pinellas County, there were 14,313 traffic accidents in 2020 with 112 fatalities and 8,400 injuries. Hit-and-run crashes accounted for almost one-third of these accidents causing 16 deaths. 

St. Petersburg Truck Accidents 

Truck accidents can be particularly devastating due to the size and weight of commercial trucks. In 2019, there were 539 commercial truck crashes on Florida highways, resulting in 619 injuries and 65 deaths. Nearly 45% of these accidents occurred in Pinellas County.

St. Petersburg Motorcycle Accidents 

The number of motorcycle accidents in Pinellas County is on the rise. In 2020, 411 motorcycle accidents occurred, resulting in 18 fatalities and 646 injuries. Motorcyclists should always wear a helmet and drive defensively to protect themselves from injury or death.

St. Petersburg Bicycle Accidents 

Bicyclists must share the road with motorists and pedestrians in St. Petersburg. In 2020, there were 518 bicycle crashes in Pinellas County (8 fatal). Bicyclists should wear a helmet and reflective clothing to increase their visibility and reduce the chance of being involved in an accident.

St. Petersburg Pedestrian Accidents 

Pedestrians are often the victims of accidents due to a lack of safety measures. In 2020, there were 836 pedestrian crashes in Pinellas County, resulting in 14 fatalities and 694 injuries. It is important for pedestrians to be aware of their surroundings and obey traffic signals to protect themselves from injury or death.

St. Petersburg Wrongful Death 

Wrongful death cases are complex and require the skill of an experienced attorney. In 2020, there were 118 wrongful death claims in Pinellas County alone. The St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers can help you secure the compensation your family deserves for their loss. 

Common Injuries In St. Petersburg Personal Injury Cases 

Personal injury victims may suffer from a variety of physical and emotional injuries. Common injuries in St. Petersburg personal injury cases include brain and spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal organ damage, burns, paralysis, disfigurement, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and wrongful death.

The experienced attorneys at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve.

What is My St. Petersburg Personal Injury Case Worth?

what is my st petersburg personal injury case worth

The value of your personal injury case is based on your highly personal losses. However, the amount of insurance coverage, the strength of your case, and whether you share blame are also important factors.

To determine how much your case may be worth, our St. Petersburg accident attorneys will first assess the financial losses you have suffered. We may rely on experts to calculate your long-term lost earnings and medical care.

We may multiply this number by 1.5 to 5 to estimate the value of your non-economic losses. The value of these losses will depend on the severity of your accident injuries and the impact they have on your life.

Contact Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation to discuss your case. We will help you understand what your case may be worth and how we can help you.

What Damages Can I Recover After an Accident in St. Petersburg, Florida?

A St. Pete personal injury case allows you to seek economic damages for financial losses and non-economic damages for personal losses. Non-economic damages may account for a large share of your case’s value, depending on the severity of your injuries.

Economic damages are the easiest to calculate, although long-term damages may still require expert testimony.

These damages may include:

  • Property damage
  • Medical bills and future medical expenses, including surgery, doctor’s visits, prescriptions, rehabilitation, counseling, medical devices, and more
  • Lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and lost benefits of employment
  • Other financial losses, such as household services, necessary home or vehicle modifications, and transportation to and from medical appointments

You may be entitled to recover non-economic compensation for your pain and suffering, anguish, emotional distress, disfigurement, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Punitive damages are separate from compensatory damages. They are awarded in rare cases in which a jury decides to punish a defendant for intentional misconduct or gross negligence. Florida caps punitive damages at $500,000 or three times the total of your compensatory damages.

Can I Still Recover Compensation if I’m Partially to Blame for an Accident in Florida?

Many personal injury cases involve shared fault. Under Florida’s pure comparative negligence rule, you are entitled to recover financial compensation even if you were mostly at fault. However, your financial recovery will be reduced according to your share of assigned fault.

For instance, if you were 60% at fault and awarded $50,000 in damages, your financial recovery will be reduced by $30,000 (60%) to $20,000.

This rule is designed to ensure all liable parties pay their fair share of the damages in an accident. However, insurance companies may use it to their advantage. The insurance company may try to blame you for your accident or claim you did not mitigate damages. This can directly reduce the amount they need to pay and how much you recover.

It’s crucial to consult with an experienced St. Petersburg injury lawyer if you are being blamed for an accident.

What is Negligence and How Does it Affect My Personal Injury Case?

Most personal injury cases in St. Petersburg involve negligence. Negligence is usually defined as carelessness or failure to use reasonable care. When negligence results in injury to another person, the negligent party can be financially accountable for the resulting damages.

To win your injury case, you must show the other party was negligent by “a preponderance of the evidence.”

There are four elements of negligence:

  • The defendant owed you a duty of care.
  • The defendant breached the duty.
  • The breach of duty caused your accident.
  • You suffered damages.

Proving negligence can be difficult. The easiest way to prove negligence is proving negligence per se. Suppose your accident happened because the defendant violated a safety law designed to protect others. In this case, they are presumed negligent.

Otherwise, proving negligence requires presenting as much evidence as possible to show that the defendant’s actions were unreasonable and caused your accident. Your St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer may build your case on witness statements, accident reports, expert testimony, photos and video of the scene and damage to vehicles, property maintenance reports, video surveillance, and more.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Florida?

It’s important to take action as soon as possible after your accident to protect your case. With most types of personal injury claims, you have a two-year statute of limitations. If you do not file your lawsuit before this deadline expires, you will not be able to seek the compensation you need from the at-fault party. Medical malpractice and wrongful death lawsuit cases have a similar statute of limitations of just two years. There are some circumstances that can give you more or less time to file your case.

While two years seems like a long time, it’s never wise to delay your case. This can allow crucial evidence to be lost, which may weaken your case. Your case may also require an extensive investigation.

Contact our St. Petersburg personal injury attorneys today at (727) 263-3189 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. We will work on building your case while you focus on your recovery.

What Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in St. Petersburg, FL?

Do not let cost deter you from seeking experienced legal team representation after your accident. At Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers, you pay nothing out of pocket for a personal injury lawyer in St. Petersburg. We will build your case, negotiate on your behalf, and even take your case to court if necessary.

You only pay attorney’s fees if we are successful in winning a judgment or negotiating a settlement for you. Our fees will be paid as a percentage of your financial recovery.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a St. Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyer

st petersburg personal injury lawyer free consultation

Have you or a loved one been seriously hurt in an accident? Count on Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers for the legal representation you need. Contact our law firm online or call (727) 263-3189 for a free consultation with a passionate St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer for help.

Our St. Petersburg, FL Location

Address: 146 2nd St N Suite 310, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Phone: (727) 263-3189