Common Causes Of St. Petersburg Car Accidents
In 2018, car accident deaths in Florida increased nearly 60 percent from the year before, representing a record high. Many more auto accident victims have been left injured.
Car accidents have many causes, including:
- driving while intoxicated
- distracted driving
- road rage
- not yielding the right of way
- speeding
- failing to stop at traffic stops
- tailgating
- not slowing down in bad weather
- reckless driving
- unsafely driving at night
- improper car maintenance (e.g., failing to maintain steering wheel fluid, brakes, windshield wipers, brake lights, headlights, etc.)
- improperly securing an animal in the vehicle
- texting and driving
- viewing social media like Facebook and Instagram while driving
Any of these causes, and more, could represent negligence on the part of the other driver. You may have a personal injury case. By contacting a St. Petersburg car accident attorney for a free case evaluation, you can discuss your situation and receive legal counsel to help you better understand your rights.
Reasons To File A Car Accident Claim
Many people think of medical bills when filing a car accident claim in St. Petersburg. But there are many more reasons people file claims. These reasons may impact your legal strategy a car accident attorney can apply when they help you file a personal injury claim.
Some common reasons to file a car accident claim include:
- holding the negligent party responsible
- preventing something similar from happening to someone else
- obtaining damage payments from areas of life impacted beyond medical bills
- making others aware of the risks of negligent road behavior
- ensuring that insurance companies pay according to their agreements
- bringing about industry changes, new laws, or new protections
- punitive damages
In cases of gross negligence, punitive damages go above and beyond what a claim can justify. They are intended to punish a party for such extreme negligence. In these cases, the intent of the settlement is to encourage the negligent party to change their behavior.
Factors That Affect Car Accident Claims In St. Petersburg
One of the first services a car accident attorney in St. Petersburg offers is a better understanding of what Florida law permits in a car accident claim, applicable compensation limits, and what you may be entitled to based on what you lost due to the accident.
Often, it is much more than you might initially consider.
Factors that influence car accident claims in Florida might include:
- what serious injuries you sustained and how many
- if someone lost their life and what that loss means to those around them
- time missed from work
- if there is permanent scarring
- medical bills
- time from work or potentially never being able to work and be a productive member of society
Florida is a comparative negligence state. This means that the courts will review both sides of the case to determine negligence. The party with higher levels of negligence typically pays out, or their insurance does. Courts may reduce the damages awarded by the percentage of negligence that belongs to the injured (or deceased) person.
For this reason, even if you feel you may be partly to blame, you should seek legal advice by contacting car accident attorneys in St. Petersburg. Part of what car accident lawyers do is demonstrate that the other party’s negligence was more significant than that of the injured person. Lawyers need to show that the injured person deserves a higher amount of compensation because the other party’s negligence was too great.
How Much Compensation Can You Be Awarded?
The amount of compensation you can win depends on several factors.
Some of the factors that may increase compensation include:
- type and severity of the injury
- financial situation before and after the accident
- aspects of life that the accident impacts
- how likely you are to have a full recovery
- physical appearance before and after (e.g., a child being physically maimed may increase compensation)
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Damages Awarded In Car Accident Claims
There are many types of damages you should consider seeking when filing a car accident claim.
These might include types of damages like:
- pain and suffering
- mental health, physical therapy, and other similar expenses beyond medical expenses
- loss of ability to earn
- out-of-pocket costs for things you can no longer do for yourself temporarily or permanently (e.g., housekeeping, bookkeeping, etc.)
- loss of enjoyment (e.g., a person who plays the piano as a beloved hobby can never play again because of nerve damage to the hands)
- loss of companionship (e.g., an injury makes it difficult to be physically intimate, an otherwise stable relationship dissolves after the accident, or a beloved family member is lost forever)
Whether you have quality representation can strongly influence how much you win. Car accident lawyers with a track record of winning significant damages for their clients understand how to demonstrate the negligence of the other party and clearly explain the true extent of your loss in Florida to increase the damages awarded.
Do I Need To Hire A Car Accident Attorney?
You can choose to file a claim on your own, but you may overlook important paperwork or file against the wrong party. It is a tedious process and going up against insurance companies can be a strong burden, especially while you are trying to recover from your injury.
Hiring a personal injury attorney is the quickest and easiest way to recover from your losses. Not all attorneys are the same and some may make promises they cannot deliver on. Hiring a knowledgeable car accident lawyer can provide you with many benefits.
These benefits include:
- peace of mind of knowing that an attorney is fighting for your losses
- access to a kind legal professional that listens to you and understands what you are going through
- having all of the paperwork needed to file a strong legal claim
- negotiating with the responsible party and insurance companies to get the settlement you deserve
- going to trial if necessary to ensure that all of your losses are covered with the settlement
Let an injury attorney do all of the leg work for your claim so you can get a head start on recovering and getting your life back in order.
Auto Accident Statistics In St. Petersburg
Nicknamed “The Sunshine City”, St. Petersburg, Florida is popular due to its amazing weather. It is located in the Tampa Bay area and draws tourists to golf, boat, fish, and visit the beautiful beaches. St. Petersburg offers much in the entertainment department and it is no wonder that tourists cannot get enough. With so many people driving the busy streets of St. Petersburg, accidents are bound to happen. In addition, St. Petersburg is one of the fastest-growing cities. It is home to the Tampa Bay Rays, and the baseball stadium is located right downtown. Drinking alcohol and tailgating at the Rays game can cause car accidents with injuries.
- Pinellas County, where St. Petersburg is located, reported 16,457 car accidents in 2021.
- 9,429 people were injured as a result of a car accident in Pinellas County.
- There were a total of 157 fatal car accidents.
- Six fatalities were the direct result of drunk driving and/or driving under the influence.
Dangerous Intersections in St. Petersburg
Distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and driving in a hurry are all hazards that motorists can face every day in St. Petersburg. The following St. Petersburg intersections have been noted to be some of the most dangerous in Pinellas County:
- 34th Street and 1st Avenue N: This intersection is known for its high traffic volume and complex layout with multiple lanes and turning lanes. The combination of these factors makes it difficult for drivers to navigate the intersection, which increases the risk of accidents. Additionally, the presence of businesses and pedestrians in the area adds to the overall complexity.
- 66th Street and 38th Avenue N: This intersection is also characterized by high traffic volume and a complex design. The multiple lanes, turning lanes, and nearby businesses contribute to driver confusion and increase the likelihood of accidents. Furthermore, insufficient traffic signals or signage might exacerbate the situation, making it even more challenging for drivers to make correct decisions.
- 4th Street and Gandy Boulevard: This intersection is notorious for its high traffic volume, particularly during rush hours. With a mixture of local and commuter traffic, the area becomes congested, leading to an increased risk of accidents. The intersection’s layout, which includes multiple lanes and turning lanes, makes it more challenging for drivers to navigate, resulting in last-minute maneuvers and a higher likelihood of collisions.
Car Accident Lawyers Serving St. Petersburg
In many cases, you may be up against a team of experienced lawyers on the other side. That is especially true if you’re filing a car accident claim against an insurance company that is not willing to meet its obligations.
The lawyers for the other party have one main goal: to discredit you to underrepresent what you’ve really lost due to the accident. They work to diminish the amount their clients must pay, and they are very good at what they do.
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a motor vehicle accident, working with an experienced, dedicated, and successful team of car accident lawyers can help you improve the outcome of your case. Successful trial lawyers may even be able to help you settle out of court so that it never goes to trial.
You will find such a team with the Florin|Roebig personal injury attorneys, who service areas throughout the U.S.
Car accident lawyers on our esteemed legal team include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Chase P. Florin, B.C.S.
- Shaun M. Cummings B.C.S.
- John Hart
- Chad Florin, B.C.S
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
File A Claim With The Help Of A St. Petersburg Car Accident Lawyer
The law firm of Florin|Roebig has over 30 years of experience successfully winning cases and significant compensation for clients. Located in Florida, they represent people all over the U.S.
When you work with them, you’re working with a team that has the resources needed to represent you. They also have the Florida personal injury trial law experience to influence a positive outcome.
Contact the experienced attorneys at Florin|Roebig today to schedule a confidential free consultation. We can help you begin the process of filing a car accident claim in St. Petersburg, and surrounding areas in Pinellas County including Clearwater, Largo, and Tampa.
