If you’ve been injured in St. Petersburg, Florida, you may be entitled to compensation from the responsible party. A St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer at Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group is here to ensure you receive maximum compensation. Call us at (772) 569-8155 to get started with your case.
Navigating a personal injury claim can be complex, especially when dealing with insurance companies and legal procedures. Our legal team is here to guide you through the process and protect your rights. We’ve 50 years of combined experience in handling these cases, and we’ve recovered over $250 million for our clients and are dedicated to fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about your options and how we can help you during this difficult time.
Why Should I Hire Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group To Handle My St. Petersburg Personal Injury Case?
Hiring the right legal team after an accident in St. Petersburg, FL, is crucial to the success of your case. Insurance companies are focused on minimizing payouts. Without an experienced attorney, you may struggle to recover the full compensation you need to cover your medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.
At Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group, we prioritize our clients’ needs and fight tirelessly on their behalf. We have extensive experience navigating the local legal landscape and understand how to build strong personal injury claims that hold negligent parties accountable.
When you hire us to represent you in your personal injury case, we’ll:
- Internally investigate your accident
- Document all of your damages
- Collect the supporting evidence
- Work with leading experts
- Negotiate to reach a fair settlement
- File a lawsuit in Pinellas County if necessary
We are a team of dedicated professionals who will stand by you every step of the way. Contact our St. Petersburg personal injury attorneys today for a free initial consultation and to ask any questions you may have.
Our St. Petersburg Personal Injury Law Office
200 Central Ave Suite 304
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(772) 569-8155
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Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in St. Petersburg?
Hiring a personal injury lawyer can significantly improve your chances of recovering the full compensation you need and deserve after an accident. Here are several reasons why you should consider working with an attorney:
- Level the playing field: Insurance companies have teams of lawyers and adjusters working to minimize the amount they pay claimants. Without legal representation, you may find yourself at a disadvantage. A personal injury lawyer in St. Petersburg can level the playing field by advocating on your behalf and ensuring your rights are protected throughout the legal process.
- Access to experts: Personal injury cases often require expert testimony to prove liability, causation, and damages. A knowledgeable lawyer will have access to a network of experts, including medical professionals, accident reconstruction specialists, and economists, who can provide critical evidence to support your claim.
- You’ll be blamed: It’s common for insurers and opposing parties to try to shift the blame onto the victim to reduce or eliminate their liability. An experienced attorney will defend you against these tactics, ensuring that unfounded claims of fault do not negatively impact your case.
- You need time to rest: Recovering from an injury takes time, and the last thing you need is to worry about navigating the legal system on your own. By hiring a lawyer, you can focus on your recovery while they handle the legal details, such as filing paperwork, gathering evidence, and negotiating with insurance companies.
Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?
In Florida, personal injury claims are typically based on negligence, which means that a party’s careless or reckless actions caused another individual’s injuries. To have a strong case, you must be able to prove that the other party was responsible for your harm.
Here are some common scenarios that may lead to a valid personal injury case:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: If another driver’s actions or inaction caused a collision that left you injured, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
- Slips and Falls: Property owners have a duty to maintain safe conditions. If you slipped and fell due to a hazardous condition, such as a wet floor or uneven surface, you may have grounds for a claim.
- Workplace Accidents: If you were injured on the job, you might be able to file a workers’ compensation and/or personal injury claim, depending on the circumstances.
- Product Liability: If you were hurt by a defective or dangerous product, you may have a claim against the manufacturer or retailer.
To determine whether you have a case, it’s important to consult an experienced personal injury attorney in St. Petersburg. During a free consultation, we can evaluate the specifics of your situation and help you understand your legal options.
We Handle All Types of Personal Injury Cases in St. Petersburg, FL
At Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group, we have extensive experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases. No matter how you were injured, we are here to help you pursue justice and recover fair compensation for your losses.
Car Accidents
Auto accidents are unfortunately common in St. Petersburg, often leading to severe injuries. When another driver’s negligence causes a collision, our St. Petersburg car accident lawyers help clients recover compensation for medical expenses, vehicle repairs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle crashes can result in devastating injuries due to the lack of protection for riders. Our St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyers work diligently to help injured motorcyclists secure compensation for their medical treatment, lost income, and other losses after collisions caused by negligent drivers.
Truck Accidents
Due to their size and weight, accidents involving large trucks and commercial vehicles can cause catastrophic injuries. Our St. Petersburg truck accident attorneys have the experience necessary to navigate the complexities of these claims, including dealing with trucking companies and holding them accountable for negligence.
Bicycle Accidents
Bicyclists are vulnerable on the road, and accidents involving motor vehicles can lead to serious injuries. We help injured cyclists seek compensation from negligent motorists who fail to respect right-of-way and other traffic rules, ensuring that their injuries and losses are properly addressed.
Wrongful Death
Losing a loved one in an accident is heartbreaking. While no compensation can replace them, a wrongful death claim can provide financial relief. We help families recover compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and the emotional suffering caused by their loss.
We also handle:
- Construction accidents
- Brain injuries
- Slip & fall accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Nursing home abuse
- Medical malpractice
- Workplace accidents
- And more
Whatever type of personal injury case you’re facing, Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group is here to guide you through the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Many accident victims are concerned about the cost of hiring a lawyer. However, the good news is that most personal injury attorneys in St. Petersburg work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you won’t pay any upfront costs or hourly fees. Instead, your attorney only gets paid if they successfully secure compensation on your behalf.
The standard contingency fee is typically around 33% of the total settlement or award. If your case is particularly complex or goes to trial, the fee may be slightly higher. However, if your lawyer is unable to recover compensation for you, you won’t owe any attorney’s fees.
This payment structure allows you to hire top-quality legal representation without worrying about the financial burden. It also incentivizes your lawyer to work diligently to maximize the value of your claim.
What Damages Are Available to St. Petersburg Accident Victims?
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Florida, you may be entitled to several types of damages, depending on the specifics of your case. Damages in a personal injury case are generally divided into two categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are the financial losses you’ve incurred as a result of the accident. They may include:
- Medical bills (current/future)
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
Non-economic damages cover more subjective losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental conditions like PTSD and anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
In rare cases, punitive damages may also be awarded. They are designed to punish a defendant for particularly reckless or egregious behavior, such as drunk driving or intentional misconduct.
How Much Is My St. Pete Personal Injury Case Worth?
The value of a personal injury case varies depending on several factors, and no two cases are exactly alike.
To determine the value of your case, our St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers will consider the following:
- The severity of your injuries
- The length of your recovery and any long-term impacts on your health
- The cost of your medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Your ability to return to work and earn a living
- The emotional toll of your injuries, including pain and suffering
- The strength of the evidence supporting your claim
We will conduct a thorough evaluation of your case to ensure that all of your damages are accurately calculated. Our goal is to help you recover the maximum amount of compensation possible.
What if I’m Partially At Fault for the Accident?
Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you may still be able to receive compensation under Florida’s modified comparative negligence law. This rule allows victims to recover damages as long as they are less than 51% responsible for the incident. However, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault.
For example, if you are found to be 25% responsible for the accident, your total compensation will be reduced by 25%. Our personal injury attorneys in St. Petersburg can help minimize any claims of fault against you, ensuring that you receive the compensation that makes you whole again.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After an Accident in Florida?
In Florida, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is generally two years from the date of the injury or accident. This means that you must file your case within two years, or you may lose your right to seek compensation. There are some exceptions to this rule where the deadline may be shorter.
It’s important to act quickly after an accident to ensure that your case is filed on time. Contact our personal injury lawyers as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.
What Is Negligence, and How Do I Prove It?
Negligence is the foundation of most personal injury claims. To establish liability, you must prove that the other party was negligent and that their actions led to your injuries.
There are four elements of negligence that must be established:
- Duty of Care: The defendant owed you a legal duty of care. For example, drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws and drive safely to avoid causing harm to others.
- Breach of Duty: The defendant breached this duty by acting unreasonably. For instance, a driver may have breached their duty by speeding or texting while driving.
- Causation: The breach of duty directly caused your injuries. You must show that the defendant’s actions were the proximate cause of the accident and your resulting harm.
- Damages: You suffered actual damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, as a result of the accident.
Proving negligence requires strong evidence, such as medical records, police reports, eyewitness testimony, and expert analysis. The burden of proof standard in personal injury cases is “by a preponderance of the evidence,” meaning roughly a 51% or more likelihood.
In certain legal legal situations in Florida, the legal theory of strict liability might apply. When strict liability applies, the defendant can be held responsible for your damages without you needing to prove they were negligent or intended to cause you harm. Strict liability only applies in certain circumstances, including:
- Certain products liability claims
- Dog bites
- Incidents involving wild animals
- Abnormally dangerous activities, such as demolition or the transportation of hazardous materials
To establish strict liability, you typically only need to demonstrate that the defendant’s actions caused your injury and that you suffered damages as a result. This legal principle operates on the assumption that engaging in certain inherently dangerous activities carries a significant risk of harm, making such incidents foreseeable or even likely.
If you have questions about strict liability or need help, contact our team as soon as possible. Our Florida personal injury lawyers have extensive experience gathering and presenting evidence to prove liability and secure compensation for our clients.
Will My St. Petersburg Personal Injury Case Go to Trial?
Most personal injury cases are resolved through settlements before reaching trial. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, taking the matter to trial may be necessary to recover compensation. At Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group, we are always prepared to take your case to court if that’s in your best interest.
Our lawyers are experienced trial attorneys who know how to present a compelling case to a judge and jury. While the trial process can be lengthy, it may result in a larger award than what was offered during settlement negotiations. We will guide you through every step of the process and ensure that your case is handled with care.
How Long Will My Injury Case Take?
The length of a personal injury claim depends on several factors, including the complexity of the case, the severity of the injuries, and whether a settlement can be reached. Some cases are resolved in a matter of months, while others may take longer, especially if they go to trial.
We understand that our clients are eager to resolve their cases and move on with their lives. While we strive to settle claims as efficiently as possible, we are committed to taking the time necessary to ensure that you receive the full compensation you are due.
Contact Our Experienced St. Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyers for Legal Help
If you’ve been injured in an accident, don’t wait to seek legal help. At Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group, our trusted St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers are here to help you recover the compensation you deserve. With 50 years of combined experience and over $250 million recovered, we have the knowledge and dedication to fight for your rights.
Call us today to schedule a free case evaluation and learn more about your legal options. Let us handle the legal process while you focus on your recovery.
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