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 cases 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, doctors 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.
Proven And Successful St Petersburg Personal Injury Attorneys
The personal injury lawyers at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA have experience negotiating, settling, and litigating personal injury cases of all types.
Past settlements and verdicts have ranged from $80,000 to more than $5 million for cases that involved traumatic brain injuries, back injuries, spinal cord injuries, birth injuries, and more. Here are just some of our most notable personal injury cases.
- $5 million for an auto accident victim who suffered burn injuries.
- $5.7 million jury verdict in January, 2022. Nursing home bed sore lead to infection and death.
- $3.85 million for a truck accident victim who sustained a traumatic brain injury.
- $3.2 million for a truck accident victim who suffered a brain injury and incomplete spinal cord injury.
- $1.75 million for an accident victim who suffered a shoulder injury in an accident on I-275.
- $1.50 million for a t-bone auto accident victim who suffered a spinal cord injury.
- $1.25 million for a gentleman who sustained multiple orthopedic injuries in a motorcycle accident.
- $1.25 million following a slip and fall resulting in knee and shoulder surgery and back injuries.
- $1.18 Million for a victim of negligent security who was physically assaulted at an apartment complex.
If you were injured by someone elses negligence, speak to an injury lawyer as soon as possible. Call our injury attorneys at or contact us online to discuss your potential claims and obtain a free consultation.
How A St Petersburg Injury Attorney Can Help
Our team of lawyers believes that were doing important work when we represent accident victims. We can help you understand your legal options. Then, we can help you weigh the pros and cons of each course of action. From drafting legal documents to arguing cases in court to negotiating out-of-court settlements, we do it all for our clients.
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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 defendants 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.
I Cannot Afford A St Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyer What Should I Do
Another common reason that people are reluctant to seek the assistance of a personal injury lawyer after being injured in an accident is that they fear they cannot afford one. The legal team at Perenich Law Injury Attorneys is often asked:
- How much is our retainer?
- How much do we charge by the hour?
- How much would we charge just to answer a few legal questions?
Most personal injury lawyers use a contingent fee billing method. This means that payment for our services is contingent on obtaining compensation for you. Upon successfully garnering a settlement or court award on your behalf, we will receive the funds for you, take an agreed-upon percentage for our services, pay other debts that we must pay under the contingent-fee agreement we entered when we began working with you, and forward the remainder of the settlement or award to you. In addition to our client-friendly contingent-fee billing method, we offer free case evaluations, which are a time to obtain answers to your legal questions and to learn more about our services at no cost or obligation.
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How Do I Prepare For A Personal Injury Case
You can do several things to prepare for a personal injury case.
Seek Medical Treatment: This is the most important thing you can do. Going to the doctor gives you a record of your injuries and any treatment you receive.
Gather Evidence: The sooner you start gathering evidence, the better. Gather all of your medical records and bills. If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident, you might need to request an accident report from the St. Petersburg Police Department located at 1301 1st Ave N or by going to their website and requestingonline. You should also gather any documentation related to your lost wages. If you have suffered from pain and suffering, you should keep a journal documenting everything that has happened since the accident. This will help your attorney understand the full extent of your losses.
Contact a St. Petersburg Injury Lawyer: It is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after an accident. They will advise you on the best course of action and help you file a claim against the liable party.
Stay off Social Media: Dont post anything about your accident online, as this could damage your case. Instead, wait until the case is resolved to share your story.
How Long Do I Have To File A Personal Injury Lawsuit In Florida
Its 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 four-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 much shorter statute of limitations of just two years.
There are some circumstances that can give you more or less time to file your case. For instance, a four-year statute of repose applies to medical malpractice cases, which gives you more time to file your case if your injury is not discovered right away.
While four years seems like a long time, its 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 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. We will work on building your case while you focus on your recovery.
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Q: How Do I Know If I Actually Need To Speak With A Lawyer
We recommend that anyone who has suffered serious injuries seek legal advice. The pitfalls of not hiring an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorney near you when you need one are substantial, and failing to protect your rights can have lifelong consequences. We offer free initial consultations, and we are happy to help you understand if you have a claim for financial compensation.
Our St Petersburg Personal Injury Practice Areas
Our Board Certified accident attorneys in St. Petersburg, FL represent clients in cases involving:
The legal specialists at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers have the knowledge and experience necessary to help families navigate complex personal injury and wrongful death cases. Call us to arrange a free consultation to examine the circumstances of your claim.
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What Our Clients Say About Us
Below are just a few testaments of how we go above and beyond our clients at all times.
My greatest thanks and appreciation for your excellent service. When burdened with a car accident your help and professionalism was essential. Your team handled the legal process, allowing me to focus on recovery and getting back to work. I would absolutely recommend the team of Melissa Solevilla, Stephanie Vasile and Ashley Parker.
Jay Burke
I have hired Carey & Leisure for more than one case and I have to say, I feel they are the most client and service oriented firm in the Tampa Bay Area. The support staff is nothing less than phenomenal and they literally spring into action whenever action is called for on behalf of their clients. Im very picky whom I do business with! Im certain the Professionalism by the amazing staff at Carey & Leisure will exceed all of your expectations!
Jessica Miles
I was referred by a co-worker for my first accident and then less than a month later I was rear ended again. Big shout out to Melissa Solevilla as she was the one assigned to my case. She is such a professional yet very caring individual. Made the whole incident less stressful.
Dianne Allen
Joseph LaFave
Patrick Perez
Professional staff and attorney. As an attorney myself, I wholeheartedly feel that they represented my case with care, compassion, and I was extremely happy with the outcome!
What Damages Are Available To St Petersburg Accident Victims
If youve suffered harm due to another partys negligence, you could be entitled to substantial compensation to cover your economic and non-economic losses.
Economic damages cover the financial costs associated with your injuries, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring or disfigurement
Punitive damages may be available only in some cases when the defendant acted intentionally or with gross negligence. These damages are intended to punish the defendant.
When you work with our experienced St. Petersburg injury lawyers, well assess the proper value of your damages so that you can seek and recover the maximum amount available in your case.
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Important First Steps For Any Case
One of the most important things to remember about a personal injury case is that your health is more important than anything else. You have to get to a medical professional to seek out treatment as soon as possible. Your injuries could get worse if you ignore them. You also want documented proof that your injuries were from your accident to show to the insurance company that their insured is, in fact, liable for your injuries.
Also, it is important at the scene of the accident to collect as much evidence as possible. You can take photos and get contact information from witnesses. You may want to collect video from any security cameras nearby that might have picked up the event and you should never leave the scene without some proof that you were there. That could be making an accident report or having the police come to the scene to fill out a report.
Why Hire A St Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyer
You can trust us. We live and work in the same community as you. Our children go to the same schools as yours and play in the same sports leagues. We rely on your satisfaction with our legal services and have done so for over 60 years. We are proud to perform exceptional legal work and make our clients happy. Personal injury cases are never expected and many of our clients go through physical and emotional changes that affect them the rest of their lives. Our St Petersburg personal injury lawyers have served the people with integrity and passion and continue to help people during their time of need.
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St Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyer
Dolman Law Groups mission is to fight for you when you need our help, just like its our own family. Our team of experienced legal professionals are committed to providing high-quality content and accurate information. Our content is fact checked and approved by our team of editors and practicing attorneys. Should you find an error within any of our website content, please feel free to contact us to let us know.
- St. Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyer
- Did you suffer an injury accident on Pinellas Trail?
- Perhaps your child suffered an injury while receiving treatment at Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital in St. Petersburg?
- Maybe you got hit while crossing the street after attending a Tampa Bay Rays game?
The city of St. Petersburg, located in Pinellas County, Florida has a population of over 270,000 and is the fifth-largest city in Florida. Together with Clearwater and Tampa Bay, the area attracts millions of tourists and beachgoers each year.
With an average of 361 days of sunshine each year, St. Pete is a very popular place to live and visit. Large numbers of tourists, along with its millions of residents living in or around the city, St. Petersburg can also be a dangerous place to live if everyone isnt keeping an eye out for each other. If you were recently injured in the St. Petersburg area, you may be entitled to seek damages. Its helpful to have a thorough legal team to help you through the claims process.
How Can A Personal Injury Lawyer In St Petersburg Help Me After An Accident
A personal injury lawyer will be your greatest ally after an accident. They will first help you understand your legal options for recovering compensation for your injuries, including insurance claims and lawsuits. They will also investigate your accident to gather evidence and identify liable parties.
Your injury attorney will also help you calculate your damages related to the accident, so you can make sure you demand compensation for all your losses. They will even work with experts to strengthen your case and estimate certain hard-to-value damages.
A personal injury lawyer will handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance company or another defendant. They will also manage all other administrative tasks, such as filing claims and lawsuits. In short, they will take on all the heavy-lifting in your case, so you can take time for your recovery.
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How Can I Determine Who Is At Fault In A St Petersburg Personal Injury Accident
The determination of fault in a personal injury accident can be complex. It is often necessary to speak with an attorney to determine who is at fault. The insurance company will conduct its own investigation to determine fault in some cases. However, the insurance company is not always impartial and may try to blame the plaintiff. Speak with an experienced St Petersburg personal injury attorney to get a clear understanding of who is at fault in your accident.
How Common Are Accidents In St Petersburg Fl
As of 2021, more than 267,000 people call St. Petersburg home, making it the fifth-largest city in the state of Florida. A popular destination for tourists and snowbirds alike, thousands more pour into the citys limits every year. St. Pete and surrounding towns in Pinellas County have busy, congested roads. IN turn, its no surprise that traffic accidents are a common occurrence.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were a total of 14,303 traffic accidents across Pinellas County in 2020. Thats 39 crashes a day, despite the fact that the nation effectively came to a grinding halt for most of the year thanks to the Covid pandemic.
Those collisions resulted in 115 deaths and another 8,409 non-fatal injuries.
Of course, auto accidents arent the only avoidable accidents and cause of unintentional injury in St. Petersburg. Every year, thousands of people are injured and killed in other types of accidents, too.
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Comparative Negligence In Florida
Comparative negligence is a legal doctrine that assigns blame in an injury case. Under this doctrine, the plaintiff can be assigned partial responsibility for their injuries. This means that their damages will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to them.
For example, if the plaintiff is determined to be 50% at fault for their injuries, then they will receive 50% of the total damages awarded. Speak with an attorney to learn more about comparative negligence and how it may affect your case.
What Warrants Legal Action For A Personal Injury Claim
For a personal injury claim to be viable, it must result from someone being hurt after the negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct of another individual or entity. Not every personal injury claim is worthy of a legal proceeding seeking to recover damages. In many situations, a claim is filed with the insurance company for the liable party . More often than not, these claims are settled before going to court. Sometimes you have to let a jury hear your case and decide what happens. A settlement with the help of our personal injury attorneys might take place at any time during the claims process, up until when the jury hears the case.
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