St. Petersburg, Florida, has amazing weather and offers plenty of appeal for both residents and visitors. It’s also one of the state’s fastest-growing cities. However, with so many people driving the busy streets of St. Petersburg, car accidents with injuries are common.
Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic and confusing experience, especially when it causes physical injuries, emotional distress, property damage and financial burdens. Fortunately, working with a St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer at Florin|Roebig can make the legal process as smooth as possible.
Read on to learn more about how our skilled attorneys can guide and support you through your entire lawsuit and get started with a free case review in St. Petersburg today.
Common Causes of St. Petersburg Car Accidents
Car accident trends in St. Petersburg tend to mirror statewide trends in Florida, while some of them are tied to the city’s unique traffic flow and road conditions. For example, traffic tends to be heaviest in winter and spring due to snowbirds and tourists. Events like beach festivals and the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg can also cause temporary road issues.
Common causes of car accidents in St. Petersburg include:
- Driving while intoxicated
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Road rage
- Not yielding the right of way
- I-275 accidents and I-4 accidents in St. Petersburg
- Failing to stop at traffic stops or red lights
- Tailgating
- Not slowing down in bad weather
- Reckless driving
- Driving unsafely at night
- Texting while driving
- Viewing social media like Facebook and Instagram while driving
- Improper car maintenance
- Improperly securing an animal in the vehicle
- Unfamiliar drivers during seasonal tourism times
Any of these causes, and more, could represent negligence on the part of the other driver, and you may have a personal injury case. Knowing what contributes to accidents can help you prevent one and understand when you need to seek legal representation.
You can discuss your car accident case with Florin|Roebig by contacting one of our St. Petersburg car accident attorneys for a free case evaluation and to learn more about your rights.
St. Petersburg, Florida Car Accident Rates
St. Petersburg is highly populated and a popular tourist attraction. It’s the largest city in Pinellas County, the most densely populated county in Florida, and it welcomed more than 15 million visitors in 2024 alone. With so many vehicles and people on the road, it should come as no surprise that the city sees a lot of accidents. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) compiles St. Petersburg crash rates and accident trends.
The FLHSMV posted these St. Petersburg car accident statistics for 2024:
- 14,387 crashes reported in Pinellas County
- 8,803 injuries reported from these car crashes
- 112 fatalities from car crashes
- 3,818 hit-and-run crashes.
- 481 crashes involved pedestrians, with 31 pedestrian fatalities
What To Do After a Car Accident in St. Petersburg
A car accident can be overwhelming and confusing, and it isn’t always possible to gather evidence at the scene if you’re also injured or tending to injured loved ones. Always take care of yourself first and only worry about the legalities of your accident when it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Steps you can take after a car accident in St. Petersburg:
- Seek medical attention immediately following the accident, even if you have no apparent injuries.
- Call the police. It’s required to report a car accident in St. Petersburg if there’s a death, injuries or damage greater than $500.
- Contact a car accident lawyer in St. Petersburg for a free consultation to determine if you’re eligible to file a claim.
- Gather relevant evidence, like medical records, police reports and witness testimony.
- File your car accident insurance claim or lawsuit, making sure that you’re within the statute of limitations for Florida, which is two years for accidents occurring after March 24, 2023..
- Negotiate for a fair settlement, and be prepared to take your case to court if you’re unable to reach a settlement offer.
Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
The types of injuries that can result from car accidents can range from minor, without needing medical treatment, to serious injuries that require a hospital stay and might even cause permanent disability. Some injuries, such as whiplash symptoms or a concussion after a car accident, may not be apparent immediately afterward.
Some of the most common St. Petersburg car accident injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Concussions
- Cuts and lacerations
- Death
- Disfigurement
- Loss of limbs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
Reasons To File a Car Accident Claim
Not everyone needs or wants to file a claim after a car accident, especially if their accident was very minor. When filing a car accident claim in St. Petersburg, you may focus on the cost of medical bills or car repairs because those are often immediate needs. Your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, as required by Florida law for all registered vehicle owners, will cover high percentages of certain damages up to policy limits.
The state minimum for PIP insurance is $10,000. Once you’ve reached that amount, and it can happen quickly, you may need other means to cover financial obligations. There are many reasons to file St. Petersburg insurance claims after a car crash and take legal action against the person who is at fault.
These reasons may impact your car accident attorney’s legal strategy when they help you file a personal injury claim:
- Helping pay for expenses like medical bills, medical devices, rehab and any future care needed
- Holding the at-fault driver accountable for their negligence
- Having your car repaired or replaced, depending on the extent of damage
- Receiving maximum compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering
- Seeking uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage compensation
- Helping define the duty of care for the next person and help prevent similar accidents
- Drawing attention to the dangers of certain driving behaviors
- Holding insurance companies responsible for commitments in insuring policyholders
If you’re still unsure about whether a personal injury claim is the right choice for you, discuss your case with a knowledgeable car accident lawyer at Florin|Roebig using a free case evaluation. Our legal team will work with you to determine maximum compensation. We’ll advocate for your rights to what’s owed, and we won’t accept a dime unless you get paid.
Factors that Affect Car Accident Claims in St. Petersburg
Florida Law Changes
The most recent changes to Florida personal injury laws determine the biggest factor in your car accident claims. If you were hurt in an accident before March 24, 2023, then your case and any injuries sustained are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations, even if your injuries show up later. After March 24, 2023, your claims are assessed based on HB 837, which shortened the statute of limitations to two years, changed damage caps and removed the attorney fee multiplier.
The car accident attorneys at Florin|Roebig are well-versed in the compensation limits for your insurance coverage and entitlements, regardless of when your accident occurred. Often, we can move the numbers higher than what you might initially consider.
Other Factors To Consider in Car Accident Claims
Whether your claims are measured under HB 837 or the laws before, all of the factors listed below can contribute to your case against the at-fault party. Experienced St. Petersburg auto accident attorneys will walk you through each element that can influence the eligibility of your claims under applicable Florida law.
Factors that influence car accident claims in Florida might include:
- Florida is a no-fault insurance state: Drivers must seek compensation from their own insurance companies before taking legal action against the at-fault driver.
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- Comparative fault in Florida car accidents: If you’re found to share a percentage of fault, your settlement is reduced by that percentage.
- Statute of limitations for car accidents in Florida: You must file your claim within two years if the accident occurred after March 24, 2023 (or four years if it occurred before then), or you may be barred from any legal action.
- Clear fault vs. shared fault: Settlements are usually much higher when fault is obvious and one-sided, and it’s clear that one driver breached a legal duty of care.
- Insurance coverage limits: Florida residents are required to carry a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which covers up to 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost wages in the event of an accident. Even if a lawsuit has multiple plaintiffs, the new Florida law doesn’t allow a judge to hand down a verdict for more than what is written in an insurance policy.
- Settlement vs. trial: The willingness of the defendants to settle can affect timelines and potential award amounts.
- More serious injuries:
- Back injuries
- Brain injury
- Multiple broken bones
- Spinal injury
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Other factors:
- Wrongful death occurrence
- Amount of lost wages, including future wages
- Time missed from work
- Disability status
Why You Need a Personal Injury Attorney to Argue Fault And Negligence
Courts may reduce the damages awarded by the percentage of negligence that belongs to the injured person. If you think 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?
It’s hard to determine a single amount for car accident settlements in St. Petersburg, as there’s so much variation in the circumstances of each case and the extent of costs and damages. In general, severity drives value, and more severe accidents and injuries will warrant the most car crash compensation. However, the amount of compensation you can win depends on several factors and where your injuries fall on the scale of these factors.
Some of the factors that can increase compensation in car accident claims include:
- Type and severity of the injury
- Amount of medical expenses
- Total of lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Extent of lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Likelihood that you will recover fully
- Extent of property damage
- Cost of future care
- Reduced quality of life
Our case results speak for themselves. At Florin|Roebig, we’ve won over $60 million in settlements, over one million dollars each, for vehicle accidents and injuries. Previous settlement awards include:
Our Featured Case Results
Damages Awarded in Car Accident Claims
When filing a car accident claim, you may be eligible for numerous types of damages after a car accident. It’s wise to seek as many types as possible, as this is your one chance to argue for those. You must take into account the future consequences of your injuries, as they can have a significant financial impact on your quality of life and medical care.
Damages you may be able to claim when filing an auto accident lawsuit include:
- Economic Damages in St. Petersburg: Medical bills, property damage, physical therapy and rehab, travel for care, lost wages, loss of future income
- Non-Economic Damages in St. Petersburg: Pain and suffering from a car accident, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment, loss of consortium, post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD)
- Punitive Damages in Florida: Rare and reserved for cases of extreme misconduct, meant to punish the defendant and discourage future similar behavior
- Wrongful Death in Florida: Available for surviving family members of deceased car accident victims
Law changes mean you must show receipts or medical bills for actual amounts paid on economic damages, but non-economic damages are harder to calculate.
In addition to the damages listed above, you may also be entitled to pre-judgment and post-judgment interest. These are awarded when there’s a significant delay in the amount of time between the accident and the time when the victim actually receives their payout.
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 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 crucial paperwork or file against the wrong party. For damage under $500, the state of Florida recommends against involving law enforcement at the scene of the accident unless there are extenuating circumstances.
It’s a tedious process, and going up against insurance companies can be a substantial burden, especially while you’re trying to recover from your injury. Their claims adjusters and attorneys are skilled at reducing settlement offers. You should avoid accepting a low payment in a moment of desperation.
Once you indicate that a settlement is acceptable with an affirmative response or by cashing the check, your actions can’t be undone, and your chance for a fair settlement may be lost. Hiring a personal injury attorney is the quickest and easiest way to recover from your losses. We can offer legal advice, negotiate with all other parties on your behalf and connect you to resources for assistance.
And if we’re not seeing the numbers we want, we can move forward with a trial to get you the compensation you deserve. Not all attorneys are the same, and some may make promises they can’t deliver on, but Florin|Roebig uses all of our resources (and we have plenty) to fight for you.
The benefits of working with a personal injury attorney in St. Petersburg include:
- Peace of mind in knowing that an attorney is fighting for your losses
- Access to a kind legal professional who listens to you and understands what you’re going through
- Having all 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 your losses are covered with the settlement
Let us handle the legwork for your claim so you can get a head start on recovering and getting your life back in order.
Car Accident Lawyers Serving St. Petersburg
Car accidents happen often, and sometimes, there’s no way to avoid them. However, there are steps you can take to avoid a crash, like putting away devices and following traffic laws and signs. Unfortunately, you can’t control how other drivers choose to handle things.
Florida’s accident rate is well above the national rate and St. Petersburg sees its fair share. When you’re in an accident, you want the best possible care and support as you recover. Regardless of your injury and damage severity, you may still experience the chaos that often comes in the aftermath of an accident. Even if you think your injuries or damages are too low to get a personal injury attorney involved, you may want to have an initial conversation to rule out the possibility.
We’ll make sure you understand:
- Why you should file a claim
- What factors will impact your claim
- What compensation you’re eligible to receive
- Our role in assisting you
Florin|Roebig’s dedication to our clients and our unique, comprehensive approach to case preparation make us top-rated injury attorneys in St. Petersburg and the best choice for car accident representation in St. Pete, Tampa, Clearwater and throughout Florida.
Car accident lawyers on our esteemed legal team include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Shaun M. Cummings
- Neil P. O’Brien, M.B.A.
- Luca G. Esposito
- Chad K. Florin, M.B.A., LL.M.
- John J. Hart
- Parker Y. Florin, LL.M.
- Taylor D. Roebig
- Michael A. Ossi, O.C.
- Lawrence J. Najem, O.C.
- Nollys R. Solarte, O.C.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
File a Claim With the Help of a St. Petersburg Car Accident Lawyer
The Florin|Roebig car accident attorneys serving St. Petersburg have over 40 years of experience winning cases and significant compensation for our clients. Although we’re located primarily in Florida, we also represent clients in Texas, Minnesota, Colorado and all over the U.S. When you work with us, you’re working with a team that has the resources to meet your needs.
We also have the Florida personal injury trial law experience to influence a positive outcome. Contact the knowledgeable 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 the surrounding areas in Pinellas County, including Clearwater, Largo and Tampa.
Contact Florin|Roebig by:
- Requesting more information on our website: florinroebig.com
- Calling our free and confidential hotline available 24/7
- Emailing info@florinroebig.com
FAQs About St. Petersburg Car Accident Claims
Do I need a lawyer for a minor crash in St. Petersburg?
You aren’t legally required to hire a lawyer for a minor crash in St. Petersburg, and you may not need one if your accident involves no injuries, only minor damage and clear fault. However, if your case is more complex, involves catastrophic injuries or you simply want to maximize fair compensation, then working with a legal team can be to your benefit.
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurer?
It isn’t necessary to talk to the other driver’s insurance adjuster, and it’s often not recommended, as they aren’t on your side. If the other driver’s insurance company contacts you, you should politely decline speaking with them and advise them to contact your attorney.
How much does a St. Petersburg car accident attorney charge?
Most car accident attorneys in St. Petersburg work on a contingency fee basis and don’t charge any upfront fees to car accident victims. Instead, they charge a percentage of your settlement or award—when, and only if, you win your car accident lawsuit. This amount is around 33% on average.
What is the average settlement for a car accident in Florida?
There’s no definite number for the average settlement amount for a car accident in Florida because each case is unique. At Florin Roebig, we examine all the evidence and bring in experts to help us decide what settlement offer will cover past, current and future expenses from your accident.
How is pain and suffering calculated in a car accident in Florida?
Pain and suffering are considered non-economic damages, and they’re difficult to quantify. Florin Roebig has extensive experience in arguing for pain and suffering compensation, and we’ll interview you and collect evidence to support the amount we know you deserve.
