ST. PETERSBURG CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Every accident is different, but most valid car accident claims share a few key foundations:

Damages

You must have suffered losses because of the crash. This may include medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, or long-term physical limitations.

Fault

Another driver must have acted negligently, by speeding, driving distracted, failing to yield, or violating traffic laws, and that behavior must have caused your injuries.

Insurance or Legal Responsibility

Most claims are pursued through insurance coverage, not against individuals personally. There must be a policy or a legally responsible party capable of paying compensation.

Many people hesitate to call a lawyer because they’re unsure how serious their injuries are or who caused the crash. That uncertainty is common, and it’s one reason early legal guidance can be so important.

The steps you take in the minutes and days after a crash can significantly affect both your recovery and your ability to pursue compensation:

• Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel “okay.” Some injuries, like concussions, internal injuries, or soft-tissue damage, may not show symptoms right away.
• Call law enforcement and request an accident report. A police report creates an official record of the crash and can be critical later.
• Document the scene by taking photos or videos of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and visible injuries.
• Exchange contact and insurance information with all drivers involved, but avoid discussing who was at fault.
• Collect witness names and contact details, as third-party statements can help support your version of events.
• Be cautious with insurance companies. Avoid giving recorded statements or accepting quick settlements before understanding your rights.

Early medical records and thorough documentation often form the foundation of a strong car accident claim, especially if injuries worsen over time.

How does Florida’s no-fault law affect my car accident claim?

Florida is a no-fault state, which means most drivers turn to their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage first after an accident. PIP generally covers a portion of medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash.

However, PIP coverage is limited and does not compensate for pain and suffering. When injuries are serious or permanent, Florida law allows injured people to step outside the no-fault system and pursue compensation from the at-fault driver.

PIP coverage is often insufficient after serious crashes. PIP is limited and does not fully compensate victims for significant medical treatment, extended time off work, or long-term physical limitations.

When your injuries and losses exceed PIP limits, you may be able to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. To do so, your injuries generally must meet Florida’s legal “serious injury” threshold, which can include permanent injury, significant loss of bodily function, permanent scarring, or disfigurement.

These claims often require detailed medical records, expert opinions, and careful legal analysis to establish both the severity of the injuries and the full financial impact of the crash. An experienced attorney can help determine whether your case qualifies and identify all available sources of compensation.

Florida law places strict time limits on filing car accident lawsuits, and missing these deadlines can permanently prevent you from pursuing compensation. In many cases, the clock begins running on the date of the crash, but certain situations may alter how deadlines are calculated.

Exceptions can apply in cases involving delayed discovery of injuries, accidents involving minors, wrongful death claims, or crashes that involve government entities or special notice requirements. Each of these scenarios can affect how much time you have to take legal action.

Because evidence can disappear quickly, vehicles are repaired, surveillance footage is deleted, and witness memories fade, acting early is often critical. Prompt action helps preserve key evidence, ensures compliance with procedural requirements, and protects your ability to pursue all available legal options fully.

Yes. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you may still recover compensation as long as you are 50% or less at fault, but your percentage of responsibility reduces your recovery.

For example, if you are awarded $100,000 in damages but found 20% at fault for the crash, your compensation would be reduced to $80,000. However, if you are found 51% or more at fault, Florida law bars recovery entirely.

Insurance companies often try to exaggerate a driver’s role in an accident, arguing distraction, speed, or failure to react, to minimize what they have to pay. Careful investigation, documentation, and evidence are critical to ensuring fault is assessed fairly.

Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include:

• Medical expenses, including future treatment and rehabilitation
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress, anxiety, or PTSD
• Permanent disability or impairment
• Property damage, including vehicle repairs or replacement

There is no true “average settlement.” Every case depends on injury severity, long-term impact, and available insurance coverage.

If the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may apply. These claims can still be complex, as insurers may dispute fault or damages.

Legal representation often makes a critical difference in navigating these situations.

Accidents involving rideshare or delivery drivers, such as Uber, Lyft, Amazon, or DoorDash, are often more complex than standard car crashes because multiple insurance policies may apply. Coverage depends heavily on what the driver was doing at the time of the accident.

Common scenarios include:

• Driver not logged into the app: The driver’s personal auto insurance typically applies, just as it would in a normal car accident.
• Driver logged into the app but not actively on a delivery or ride: A limited commercial policy may apply, often providing lower coverage amounts that supplement the driver’s personal insurance.
• Driver actively transporting a passenger or making a delivery: A higher-limit commercial insurance policy provided by the company may apply, often offering significantly more coverage for injuries and damages.

Because multiple insurers may be involved and each may try to shift responsibility, these cases require careful investigation to determine which policy applies, when it applies, and in what order. Identifying the correct coverage early can prevent delays, denied claims, and unnecessary disputes.

The steps after a hit-and-run are very similar to those you would take after any serious car accident, but acting quickly is especially important when the other driver flees the scene.

If the driver leaves:

• Call 911 immediately to report the crash and request medical assistance if needed.
• Gather identifying details about the vehicle, such as color, make, model, license plate numbers, or the direction it fled.
• Speak with witnesses and collect names and contact information.
• File a police report, which is critical for insurance and any future claim.
• Seek medical care right away, even if injuries are not immediately obvious.
• Notify your insurance provider as soon as possible.

Although a hit-and-run can feel more overwhelming than a typical crash, many of the legal and insurance steps are the same. The key difference is that when the at-fault driver cannot be identified, uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage under your own policy may step in to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Even if the driver is never found, you may still have a path to compensation. Proper documentation, medical records, and a timely police report are often the foundation of a successful UM/UIM claim in St. Petersburg.

Many car accidents in St. Petersburg are preventable and stem from driver choices or conditions that reduce reaction time and awareness. Some of the most common causes include:

• Distracted driving, such as texting, phone calls, GPS use, or adjusting in-car technology
• Speeding and aggressive driving, including tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and road rage
• Impaired driving, caused by alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications that affect judgment
• Failure to yield or obey traffic signals, especially at busy intersections
• Weather-related hazards, including rain, slick roads, and reduced visibility during storms
• Driver fatigue, which slows reaction time and impairs decision-making, is similar to intoxication

Tourist traffic, congested roadways, and frequent construction zones can further increase accident risk. Even cautious, experienced drivers can suffer serious injuries when others ignore traffic laws or drive carelessly.

Even crashes that seem minor at first can lead to delayed injuries or insurance disputes. Speaking with a lawyer can help ensure injuries are fully evaluated and that you don’t settle before understanding the long-term impact.

Car accident settlements are not based on a single formula. Instead, they reflect the full impact the crash has had, and is likely to continue having on your life. Key factors typically include:

• Medical evidence, such as emergency care, surgeries, therapy, medications, and projected future treatment
• Lost income, including time missed from work, and reduced earning capacity if injuries affect your ability to return to your job
• Severity and permanence of injuries, especially those involving long-term limitations, disability, or chronic pain
• Future care needs, such as ongoing rehabilitation, assistive devices, or in-home support
• Impact on daily life, including pain, emotional distress, loss of independence, and reduced quality of life

Settlement value is also influenced by available insurance coverage and fault percentages if comparative negligence applies. Because insurers often focus on minimizing payouts, thorough documentation and a clear presentation of how the injury affects your life are critical to achieving fair compensation.

There are no upfront costs. Morgan & Morgan represents clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning legal fees are only paid if compensation is recovered. The Fee Is Free®.

This allows people to pursue justice without added financial strain during recovery.

At Morgan & Morgan, we believe everyone deserves excellent legal representation, regardless of financial circumstances.

Our firm brings decades of experience, trial-ready resources, and a nationwide network of investigators, medical experts, and legal professionals to every case. Insurance companies know we don’t back down. Fill out a free case evaluation today.

You focus on healing. We handle the fight.