Were you recently injured in a car accident in St. Petersburg, Florida? You might be confused about your rights, Florida’s no-fault car insurance system, and other legal matters following the accident. Contact an experienced St. Petersburg car accident lawyer from Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers at (727) 787-2500 and schedule a free consultation.
At Roman Austin, we fight on behalf of our clients. We’ll work hard to get you money to cover the costs of your medical care, make up for lost income, and compensate for your pain and suffering by managing your insurance claim and navigating the complex claims process.
How Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Car Accident in St. Petersburg, FL
Some of the characteristics that make Roman Austin are:
- We are a pillar of the community – We have been involved in the community since 1986. We have created a strong reputation in the legal community, and our reputation precedes us.
- We have extensive experience – Our attorneys have over 60 years of combined experience. This is relevant experience you can count on during every phase of your case.
- We are knowledgeable – Our founding attorney, Mark Roman, is Board-Certified in Civil Trial Law, an attribute held by only a small percentage of attorneys licensed in Florida that indicates a commitment to our clients and demonstrated knowledge of a particular practice area.
- We get results – We have recovered over $200 million for car accident and personal injury victims in Florida. We fight hard to secure the compensation our clients deserve.
- We are trusted advocates – Our St. Petersburg personal injury attorneys have been recognized as Tampa Bay’s Top Trial Lawyers and Super Lawyers. We are members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. We have also been recognized with Martindale-Hubbell’s AV-Preeminent Rating and 10.0 Avvo Rating.
Learn what it’s like to work with our award-winning personal injury law firm when you contact us for your free case evaluation.
How Common Are Car Accidents in St. Petersburg?
Preliminary data from February 2025 show that there have been 1,685 crashes in Pinellas County, of which 966 resulted in injuries and 12 fatalities.
14,819 accidents occurred in Pinellas County in 2024, resulting in 111 fatalities and 9,192 injuries. This number also includes 4,108 hit-and-run collisions.
According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the state saw 380,579 traffic accidents in 2024, which resulted in 3,125 fatalities and 246,008 injuries.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
If you were injured in a car accident in St. Petersburg, Florida, a legal battle may ensue. The at-fault party may not want to take responsibility for the damages they caused.
The insurance company may try to deny the claim or minimize the damages you have incurred, and it’s easy to fall prey to their tactics. An experienced St. Petersburg car accident attorney can help level the playing field.
A St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer can protect you by:
- Explaining your legal rights and options during a case review
- Reviewing all applicable insurance policies
- Advising you of applicable filing deadlines
- Protecting you from unfounded accusations that you were to blame for the accident
- Handling communication with insurance companies so they do not try to extract information to use against you
- Compiling evidence to establish liability and the full extent of your injuries
- Negotiating for maximum compensation on your behalf
Our team can answer any questions you have during a free, confidential case review. Contact Roman Austin today to speak with an auto accident attorney in St. Petersburg.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Car Accident Lawyer?
Most car accident attorneys in St. Petersburg work on a contingency fee basis, which provides many benefits to car accident victims, including:
- You receive immediate legal services without having to pay any costs upfront.
- You only pay attorney’s fees if your attorney successfully recovers compensation for you.
- Your attorney receives a percentage that you and they previously agreed on, which is outlined in your retainer agreement.
- Your attorney’s interests are aligned with yours because the more compensation they secure for you, the more they get paid, too.
Feel free to ask us any questions you have about our contingency fee agreement during your free initial consultation.
How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth?
The value of your case is based on many elements. Your injuries and damages are unique and will result in a unique claim value.
The amount of money you may receive from your crash will generally depend on the following factors:
- The extent of your medical bills
- Whether you lost wages or your earning capacity was diminished
- Property damage
- Your pain and suffering
- Available insurance coverages
- Whether you share responsibility for the accident
- The strength of your evidence
- The identity of the defendant(s)
The best way to establish your claim’s value is to consult a knowledgeable St. Petersburg car crash lawyer. Contact Roman Austin today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Car Accident in St. Petersburg, FL?
In Florida, accident cases are handled within the civil justice system, allowing injured victims to pursue compensatory damages. These damages are typically divided into two categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are expenses directly related to the car crash that naturally flow from the accident. These may include:
- Medical costs
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
An attorney from our law firm can work closely with you to determine the extent of your economic losses. They can also compile evidence to show the value of these losses, such as hospital bills, receipts, estimates, invoices, check stubs, letters from your employer, and tax returns.
Non-economic damages are losses you experience that are more difficult to quantify and do not have a direct economic effect. Examples of non-economic losses you can seek compensation for in your personal injury lawsuit include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Physical impairment
- Diminished quality of life
Florida does not currently limit the amount of damages that automobile accident victims can receive in a personal injury case. Each case is different, but a knowledgable car accident lawyer can review your situation and explain the damages you may be entitled to.
What’s the Statute of Limitations For Car Accident Lawsuits in Florida?
In Florida, the statute of limitations is two years from the accident date. If you do not file a lawsuit within this timeframe, you can lose your right to compensation through the courts.
Note that this is the time limit you have to file a personal injury claim. You are also subject to time limits regarding your insurance claim.
To receive benefits under your (PIP policy, you must initiate medical treatment within 14 days of the accident. You must promptly provide your insurance company with notice of your claim and submit your bills.
Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in St. Petersburg
Car accidents can occur for various reasons, some of the most common being:
- Distracted driving
- Inattention to other vehicles or a pedestrian
- Speeding
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Following too closely
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Inexperienced driving
- Defective car parts
- Drugged or drunk driving
- Mechanical issues
- Fatigue
- Careless operation
- Unsafe lane changes or turns
- Driving the wrong way
A personal injury attorney can investigate your case to determine how it happened and who is liable.
How Does Florida’s No-Fault Auto Insurance Affect My Car Accident Claim?
Florida has no-fault insurance rules for car accidents. You’re required to purchase a minimum amount ($10,000) of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. This insurance covers a portion of your medical costs and lost income after a crash. After an accident, drivers will file an injury claim with their own PIP insurer to recover money for crash-related losses.
You can only file a claim against the at-fault party if you suffer a “serious injury.” However, lawsuits or claims against the culpable party or their insurer will enable you to recover full damages related to your injuries.
An experienced car accident lawyer in St. Petersburg can help you understand how Florida’s insurance rules will affect your accident claim and help you secure a fair settlement.
Can I Be Compensated If I Was Partly At Fault For My Car Accident?
Yes. Florida uses a no-fault system for car insurance. Your PIP insurance provides payment of up to 80% of your reasonable medical expenses and 60% of your lost earnings, up to policy limits.
If you file a third-party claim against the driver to blame, you can still obtain compensation for the losses you sustained as long as you are not found more than 50% liable under Florida’s modified comparative fault system.
However, your settlement is reduced by your degree of culpability. For example, if you are injured in an accident in which you sustain $100,000 in damages and you are found 40% guilty, your damages are reduced by 40% or $40,000 in this example.
If you were 51% responsible for the crash, you would not be able to receive any compensation for the accident since this goes beyond Florida’s threshold.
Insurance companies are aware of this law and like to use it to their advantage by trying to assign you more blame than is reasonable under the circumstances. An experienced car accident attorney in St. Petersburg can protect your claim and protect you from unfounded allegations of liability.
If you share some of the blame for the accident, we’ll do out best to minimize it so that you can seek as much compensation as possible.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation For All of Your Car Accident Injuries
Auto accidents can cause severe injuries. The specific injury you suffer will depend on many variables, such as your position in the vehicle at the time of the wreck, the direction the vehicles were traveling at the time of the accident, and the protective equipment in the vehicle.
Common car accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Neck and back injuries
- Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
- Burns
- Internal organ injury
- Amputations
- Eye injuries
- Facial injuries
- Dental trauma
- Psychological injuries
- Broken bones
When you are dealing with a painful injury, you should not also have to deal with an aggressive insurance company trying to keep you from getting the financial recovery you deserve. Our car accident attorneys in St. Petersburg can fight for you so you can focus on your recovery.
Reasons To File a Car Accident Claim
Filing a car accident claim in St. Petersburg is often necessary to secure the full compensation you deserve.
While Florida’s no-fault insurance system provides Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, they may not be enough to cover the full extent of your damages—especially if you or your family member suffered catastrophic injuries.
By filing a claim, you may be entitled to additional compensation for:
- Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Medical expenses that exceed PIP coverage
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from working
Additionally, pursuing a claim ensures the accountable party faces liability and encourages safer behaviors in the community.
A Florida car accident lawyer can help you understand your options so you can make an informed decision about how to proceed.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle
At Roman Austin, our lawyers have over 60 years of combined experience, so we have handled nearly every type of car wreck case in St. Petersburg.
Our law firm can help with any car accident involving:
- Distracted driving – Someone who is distracted has less time to react to avoid colliding with nearby motorists.
- Drunk driving – If someone was drunk or drugged and collided with you, you should not have to pay the consequences. Our legal team can pursue fair compensation for you.
- Defective products – We can help if you suffered airbag injuries or your child sustained car seat injuries due to faulty products.
- Head-on crashes – Head-on crashes are some of the deadliest types of accidents.
- Multi-vehicle accidents – Multi-vehicle accidents are often complicated because they may involve multiple parties who are negligent.
- Rear-end accidents – Rear-end accidents are one of the most common types of car accidents, often caused by not paying attention or following too closely.
- Red and yellow light collisions – Some automobile accidents occur because motorists speed up to get through a red or yellow light.
- Side-impact collisions – Side-impact collisions can cause serious damage.
- Single-vehicle accidents – If you were injured because of the driver of the vehicle you were a passenger in, or because of a faulty car part, we can help you pursue compensation from the responsible parties.
Our firm also helps families pursue justice and liability through wrongful death claims.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Car Accident in Florida?
Negligence is the basis for most car wreck claims. To prove negligence, you will need to establish four distinct legal elements.
- Duty – You will have to prove the at-fault driver owed you a duty of care to avoid injuring you. Duties come from the law or a relationship between the parties. All drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws and drive reasonably safely.
- Breach of Duty – You will have to show that the accountable driver breached their duty.
- Causation – You will have to prove that the driver’s breach caused the accident, i.e., that it would not have happened but for their being negligent.
- Damages – You will have to show that you suffered damages related to the crash.
You must prove all four elements to have a successful negligence claim. Your attorney will use various types of evidence to satisfy your burden of proof, including accident reports, citations, cell phone records, photographs, videos, eyewitness testimony, and expert testimony.
What Are the Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in St. Petersburg, FL?
Based on the number of accidents, traffic, and potential dangers, the most dangerous intersections in St. Petersburg, Florida, include:
- US-19 and 38th Avenue N.
- US-19 and 22nd Avenue N.
- US-19 and US-19 ALT/5th Avenue N.
- Central Avenue and 3rd Street N.
- US-92 and 38th Avenue N.
- SR-693/66th Street N. and 22nd Avenue N.
Exercise extra caution when you are traveling on these intersections. Check before proceeding through the intersection in case someone else runs a red light or is not paying attention.
What Should I Do After A Car Accident in St. Petersburg?
Car accidents can be overwhelming, making it difficult to think clearly. Your first priority should always be staying safe. If you’re in a dangerous area, try to move to a safer spot if possible.
Here is a checklist of steps to follow after a St. Petersburg car accident:
- Move to a safe location near the accident scene.
- Contact the police and report the accident.
- Check for injuries. If anyone was injured, request an ambulance so medical professionals can assist you.
- Stick to the facts when you communicate with the police.
- Ask the responding officers for their names and badge numbers.
- Ask the other driver for their contact, driver’s license, and insurance information.
- Ask witnesses for their names and contact information.
- Avoid saying anything to anyone that implies you are sorry or to blame for the accident.
- Take photos and videos of the accident, including close-ups and wide shots of the accident scene, roadside debris, skid marks, tire tread, all vehicles involved, street signs, and nearby traffic lights or signs.
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Keep all of your medical bills and records.
- Ask for a copy of the police report when it is available.
- Avoid discussing the accident online or with anyone other than your lawyer.
- Do not agree to give the insurance company a recorded statement, sign a medical release form, or accept a settlement without first talking to an attorney.
We offer a free, no-obligation consultation. Get in touch with us if you were injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence.
Contact Our St. Petersburg Car Accident Lawyers Today For Help
If you were injured in a car crash in St. Petersburg, Florida, you should not have to suffer. An experienced St. Petersburg car accident attorney from Roman Austin can meet with you to discuss your legal options. We can also investigate your case to identify all responsible parties involved and relentlessly pursue the financial compensation you deserve.
Let us guide you through the legal process. Reach out today to get started and schedule your free initial case consultation with a St. Petersburg car accident lawyer. Our firm is conveniently located near you. We have an office in St. Petersburg at 840 Beach Dr NE Suite 202, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States. Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 27.781109958733285, -82.62969549059946.
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Additional Car Accident Resources
- Car Accidents Caused by Brake Checking in Florida
- Car Color & Crash Risk
- Components of a Car Insurance Policy
Car Accident Infographic
