Car accident victims can suffer from a lifetime of mental anxiety, PTSD, and disabilities. If you or your loved one are currently suffering injuries from a car crash in St. Petersburg, Florida, we can help. A St. Petersburg car accident lawyer from our firm can help you recover compensation.
Causes of St. Petersburg Car Accidents
Some causes of car crashes in St. Petersburg can include:
- Road rage
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Tailgating
- Distracted driving
- Improper car maintenance
- Bad weather
- Failing to obey traffic rules
Possible Injuries from a Car Accident
Apart from minor injuries, victims of car collisions and crashes can suffer from significant injuries such as:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Paralysis
- Brain damage
- Permanent disfigurement
- Significant head injury
- Injury to the spine
Who Is Liable for My St. Petersburg Car Accident?
Florida uses the “pure comparative fault” rule to determine who the at-fault party is following a car crash. The law dictates that everyone involved in the accident be assigned fault and compensation awarded depending on their role. The lesser your percentage of fault, the higher your compensation (dependent on other factors).
While it’s true that the authorities in St. Petersburg, and Florida at large, can use other methods to determine who the liable person is, proving negligence is the most important. Once you prove that someone else’s recklessness, negligence, or carelessness caused your injuries, you stand a better chance of recovering your compensation.
You can prove that another driver or possibly liable person acted negligently by providing police reports, photos or videos from the accident, expert witness testimony, and eyewitness statements.
What Damages Can I Recover After a St. Petersburg Car Accident?
Car accident compensation in St. Petersburg is awarded based on the type of losses suffered. These losses are categorized as either economic or non-economic. Economic losses include current and future monetary losses resulting from car accident injuries. We can pursue:
- Current and future medical bills
- The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle
- Lost income and income potential
Non-economic damages can include:
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
Potential Compensation Depends on Your Injuries
The amount of compensation that you can recover for your St. Petersburg car accident claim varies depending on:
- The type and severity of your injuries
- How the injuries impact your way of life
- Your financial situation before and after the accident
- Your physical appearance before and after the car crash
- Your likelihood of a full recovery
Florida’s Statute of Limitations
You may feel you need time before filing your car crash lawsuit, but there are statutes of limitations that limit you. In Florida, you have a maximum of four years from the time of the accident to file your lawsuit, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a). After this, you may not be able to recover your compensation.
While four years might seem like a lot of time, filing your St. Petersburg car accident lawsuit as early as possible protects your rights to compensation. Also, you need to present your case facts when they are still raw. For example, eyewitnesses may not remember much if you file your lawsuit later.
Do I Need a Lawyer To File My St. Petersburg Car Accident Claim?
You don’t need to hire a St. Petersburg car accident lawyer; you can choose to file your car crash case alone. However, many victims have opted for professional legal representation so they can focus on their health.
We can help with the following.
Gathering Evidence and Determining Liability
Liability determination in Florida is crucial, and it’s not always easy given the stakes. With the help of your attorney, you can collect relevant evidence, check police reports, and contact eyewitnesses who will help you pin liability to the responsible party. Getting access to critical documents such as police reports may not be easy without a lawyer.
Representing You in Negotiations and Court Trials
After determining who the liable party is, the next phase is the negotiation stage. Usually, an adjuster from the responsible person’s insurance company will approach you with a lowball offer, which you should not accept without consulting your attorney.
Your lawyer will represent you in negotiations, and if push comes to shove, they can help you file a St. Petersburg car accident lawsuit to ensure that you fight fair compensation.
Keeping You Informed
Before moving forward, your attorney will examine your case and suggest the best possible route to take. Throughout the evidence collection to negotiations and court trials (if it comes to that), your car accident attorney will be with you every step of the way, explaining everything to you. As a result, you will be at peace knowing that someone else is fighting for your losses.
Hire a Car Accident Attorney in St. Petersburg, Florida
The Law Offices Of Anidjar & Levine has professionals who will handle your St. Petersburg car accident case with the seriousness that it deserves. With our communication systems, you can call us anytime and get answers to your questions. With finances tight after a car accident, we won’t collect any upfront fees or charge you by the hour. We will collect payment once your case is resolved and you have earned compensation.
If you or your loved one is suffering from injuries sustained in a car crash in St. Petersburg, contact us today at 1-800-747-3733 for a free case consultation.
We Can Help.
