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. Contact us at (772) 569-8155 to get started.
Navigating a personal injury claim can be complex, especially when dealing with insurance companies and legal procedures. Our law firm is here to guide you through the process and protect your rights. We’ve 50 years of combined experience, and we’ve recovered over $250 million for our clients and are dedicated to fighting for the monetary award you deserve.
How Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group Can Help With Your 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.
At Graves Thomas Rotunda, we prioritize our clients’ needs and fight tirelessly on their behalf. We have extensive experience and a proven track record of success navigating the local legal landscape; we understand how to build strong personal injury claims that hold negligent parties accountable.
When you hire us to represent you, 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 an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit in Pinellas County
- Take your case to court if necessary
We are a team of dedicated professionals who will stand by you every step of the way. Contact our experienced personal injury lawyers today for a free initial consultation and to ask any questions you may have.
Our St. Petersburg Personal Injury Law Office
Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group
200 Central Ave Suite 304
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(772) 569-8155
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St. Petersburg Office Info
Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in St. Petersburg?
Hiring a personal injury attorney 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 attorney in St. Petersburg can level the playing field by advocating 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 fault claims 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 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 someone else’s negligence or reckless actions caused another individual’s injuries.
To have a strong case, you must 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 car accident that left you injured
- Slips and Falls: Property owners have a duty to maintain safe conditions. If you slipped and fell due to a hazardous condition, 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 suffered injuries from 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 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, we have extensive experience handling a wide range of legal services. 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 financial awards 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 resulting from an accident caused by a negligent driver.
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 bicycle accidents 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 amount of money can replace them, a wrongful death lawsuit 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
- Spinal cord injuries
- View all our practice areas here
Whether you’re dealing with a serious accident, Graves Thomas Rotunda is here to guide you through the claims process and fight for the financial compensation you deserve.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?
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 cannot win 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 situations, 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 case varies depending on several factors, and no two cases are exactly alike.
To determine the value of your case, our 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 financial award 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 injury 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 award 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 money that makes you whole again.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After an Accident in Florida?
In Florida personal injury law, the statute of limitations for 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 us to meet with our lawyers as soon as possible to protect your 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 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 the resulting harm.
- Damages: You suffered actual damages, such as medical expenses, lost income, 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 is “by a preponderance of the evidence,” meaning roughly a 51% or more likelihood.
In certain 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 cases only apply in certain circumstances, including:
- Certain product 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.
Contact our team immediately if you have questions about strict liability or need help. Our Florida personal injury lawyers have extensive experience gathering and presenting evidence to prove liability and secure client compensation.
Contact Our Experienced St. Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyers for Help
If you’ve been involved in or injured in a car accident in Florida, contact an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorney. Our firm is located near you. Visit our office at 200 Central Ave Suite 304, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
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 process while you focus on your recovery.
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