As a seasoned attorney specializing in car accidents, Lewis & Castagliola, P.A brings a wealth of experience and expertise to each case we handle. With a deep understanding of personal injury law, we are dedicated to fighting for the rights of our clients who have been injured due to the negligence of others on the road. From minor fender-benders to catastrophic collisions, Lewis & Castagliola, P.A provides compassionate and aggressive representation, striving to secure the maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The meticulous attention to detail allows our car accident attorneys to craft strategic legal arguments and navigate complex insurance claims with confidence. With a track record of successful settlements and courtroom victories, Lewis & Castagliola, P.A is committed to achieving justice for those who have suffered harm in car accidents.
Trust Our Car Accident Attorneys
St. Petersburg is the fifth-most populated city in the Sunshine State and the second-largest city in the Tampa Bay Area. Even though it is known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant arts, culture scene, and sunny weather, the large population makes it one of the most dangerous cities for drivers.
Unfortunately, Florida car accidents are common. Data shows more than 800 people were killed in car accidents in this region in 2021. Even more alarming is the fact that the number of crashes in the county went up by 48% from the previous year.
If you or a loved one has been in a car accident, you are not alone. Afterward, you may suffer physical pain, medical bills, lost salary and wages, and property damage while dealing with unyielding insurance companies that are actively trying to minimize or deny your claim. Although dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be difficult, the good news is that you may be legally eligible to seek compensation for the damage you suffered. The first step is to contact an experienced personal injury law firm to evaluate your case.
At Lewis & Castagliola, P.A., our attorneys have over 40 years of experience fighting for the rights of St. Petersburg residents and their families who have suffered injuries and losses in vehicle collisions. Whether you were injured by a drunk driver, a distracted driver, or a negligent government entity, we can help you hold the at-fault party responsible and get justice. Call our St. Petersburg personal injury attorneys today at 727-343-3477 or fill out our online form to schedule your free consultation.
What to Expect From a St. Petersburg Car Accident Lawyer From Our Firm
At Lewis & Castagliola, P.A., our approach to handling car accident cases is comprehensive and client-centered. We understand the importance of thoroughly investigating and gathering evidence to strengthen each case we take on. Our team of car accident attorneys is committed to uncovering crucial details, such as eyewitness testimonies, accident reports, and expert opinions. This is all done in order to bolster our clients’ claims.
Moreover, we diligently assess the full extent of damages incurred by our clients, considering not only immediate medical expenses and property damage but also long-term rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and emotional distress. By accurately calculating the full scope of damages, we strive to ensure our clients receive fair and just compensation for their losses.
When negotiating with insurance companies and other parties involved, we leverage our expertise and advocacy skills to pursue optimal outcomes for our clients. Whether through skillful negotiation or aggressive litigation, our car accident lawyers are relentless in our pursuit of favorable settlements that meet our clients’ needs and rights.
Should the need arise, our experienced attorneys are prepared to zealously represent our clients in court. With a proven track record of success in litigation, we are known for presenting compelling arguments and advocating for our clients’ interests before judges and juries.
Lewis & Castagliola, P.A. differentiates itself from other car accident lawyers in St Petersburg by being truly dedicated to you and your case. You’re not just another client; you matter to us and we take your car accident injuries as seriously as if they were our own. Throughout the legal process, our St. Petersburg car accident lawyers provide personalized legal advice and guidance tailored to the unique circumstances of each case. We understand that navigating the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, which is why we are dedicated to providing compassionate support and clear communication every step of the way. At Lewis & Castagliola, P.A., we are committed to serving as trusted advocates for our clients, ensuring they receive the justice and compensation they deserve.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in St. Petersburg
Most car accident claims are caused by negligence. This occurs when a driver owes a duty of care but breaches that duty. When someone suffers an injury that results from a motor vehicle accident, they can file a personal injury claim for damages. At Lewis & Castagliola, P.A., we handle all types of car accident cases throughout Pinellas County. The most common auto accident causes we see include:
- Reckless Driving, such as speeding or disregarding traffic rules and laws
- Distracted Driving – such as driving while texting
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Aggressive Driving
- Head-on Collisions
- Rear End Collisions
If you have sustained injuries due to the fault of another, then you are entitled to fair compensation. Contact the experienced car accident lawyers at Lewis & Castagliola, P.A. today for a free case evaluation. We can help determine what your personal injury claim could be worth.
What to Do After a Car Accident in St Petersburg
Experiencing a car accident can be a traumatic and overwhelming event, but knowing what steps to take immediately afterward can help ensure your safety, protect your rights, and set the stage for a successful legal claim if necessary.
First and foremost, check yourself and others involved in the accident for injuries. If anyone is injured, call emergency services immediately. It’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly, both for your health and for your future car accident lawsuit. Also, contact law enforcement to report the accident. An official police report will document the details of the accident, which can be valuable for insurance claims and legal proceedings. While still at the scene, take photos of the vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signs, and any other relevant details. This documentation can serve as evidence later on.
Notify your insurance company as soon as you can. Provide them with accurate details of the incident but refrain from admitting fault or making speculative statements.
If you’re considering pursuing legal action or need guidance on navigating the complexities of your case, reach out to Lewis & Castagliola, P.A. for legal representation. Our experienced St Petersburg car accident attorneys specialize in car accident cases and can provide personalized guidance and advocacy to help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Florida’s No-Fault System for Auto Accident Claims
Depending on the circumstances of your car accident and the type of insurance coverage you have, the answer as to who will compensate you for your losses may vary. To know how this system works, you first have to understand Florida’s personal injury law regarding the no-fault insurance system.
Florida is one of the few states that follow a no-fault system, which means:
- Drivers must carry protection (PIP) coverage and property damage liability (PDL) coverage of at least $10,000 each.
- Regardless of who is at fault in a vehicle collision, each driver’s own insurance company is responsible for covering their medical expenses and property damage, up to the limits of their PIP coverage.
So when reckless driving accidents occur, each party involved must first turn to their own insurance provider for compensation for their injuries and losses.
PIP coverage pays for the medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses of the policyholder, their children, household members, and certain passengers up to the policy limit. PDL coverage, on the other hand, pays for the damage to someone else’s vehicle or property in an accident caused by the policyholder.
If your insurance policy doesn’t have collision coverage, you will have to pay for your car damage yourself, unless you can prove that the other driver was at fault and pursue a claim against their insurance provider. Let’s break it down:
- If the other driver was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or they were driving recklessly, you can file a claim for your property damage.
- If the other driver was uninsured or underinsured and you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you can file a claim against your own policy for your car damage.
- If the other driver was an employee or agent of a business or government entity and was acting within the scope of their duties at the time of the accident, you can file a claim against the employer’s or entity’s commercial liability coverage or sovereign immunity waiver.
- If your car damage exceeds $10,000 (the minimum PDL coverage required in Florida), you can file a claim against the other driver’s bodily injury liability coverage or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for the excess amount.
To summarize, the no-fault rule says you have to file your truck, car, motorcycle or rear-end collision injury claim with your own insurance provider regardless of who caused the crash. However, there are some exceptions to this rule:
- If the accident caused permanent injuries that meet the injury threshold set by law
- If the medical bills and lost wages of a person exceed $10,000
- If the accident involved damage to property or bodily injuries of another car’s occupants
In these cases, you may be able to sue the at-fault driver or their insurance company for additional compensation. We understand the law may seem complicated, but with an experienced St. Petersburg car accident lawyer on your side, you can pursue the maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.
Am I Entitled to Compensation if I Was Partially Responsible for the Crash?
The answer depends on when you filed your claim and how much you were responsible for the crash. If you filed the lawsuit before March 24, 2023, then you may still be entitled to compensation if you were partially responsible for the head-on collision, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Florida used to follow the pure comparative negligence rule, which allowed plaintiffs to recover damages from defendants even if they were mostly to blame for the accident. If you were 30% at fault, for example, and your total damages were $100,000, you could still recover $70,000.
However, if you filed your lawsuit after March 24, 2023, then you may not be entitled to any compensation if you were more than 50% responsible for the crash. Under House Bill 837, Florida has now changed its comparative negligence law to a modified comparative negligence rule, which bars plaintiffs from recovering any damages if they are more than 50% at fault for their own harm. The only exception to this rule is if your claim is for medical malpractice, in which case the pure comparative negligence rule still applies.
Regardless of the date of your lawsuit, to determine your percentage of fault, you will need to prove how the other driver was negligent and how their negligence caused your injuries. You will also need to defend yourself against any allegations that you were negligent. Some of the factors that can affect your percentage of fault are:
- Speeding, distracted, impaired, or otherwise reckless driving
- Violating traffic laws or rules
- Failing to wear a seat belt or a helmet
- Failing to seek medical attention within 14 days of the accident
- Having pre-existing conditions or injuries that worsened due to the accident
Keep in mind that the other driver’s insurance company or lawyer may try to shift as much blame as possible to you to reduce or deny your claim altogether. They may also try to pressure you into accepting a lowball settlement or signing a release that waives your right to pursue further compensation.
To protect your rights and interests, get in touch with an experienced St. Petersburg car accident attorney at Lewis & Castagliola, P.A. We can help you gather evidence and witnesses to prove the other driver’s fault and minimize your own. We will negotiate with the insurance company or the at-fault party on your behalf, and if it comes to it, take them to court.
What Is the 14-Day Accident Law in Florida?
If you are ever involved in a negligent or aggressive driving accident in Florida, you must remember the 14-day accident rule. This law requires you to seek medical care within 14 days of your accident to qualify for personal injury protection (PIP) benefits. PIP is a type of insurance that covers some of your medical expenses and lost wages after an accident, regardless of who was responsible.
A seasoned car accident attorney can advise you that if you fail to go see a healthcare provider within 14 days of the accident, you will:
- Lose your PIP benefits: You will forfeit your right to receive any PIP insurance benefits – even if you have paid your premiums and have a valid policy. This means you will have to pay for your medical bills and lost wages out of your own pocket or rely on your health insurance or other sources of income.
- Risk worsening your injuries: Injuries like concussions, whiplash, internal bleeding, or spinal cord damage can take days or weeks to manifest. If you don’t get checked out by a doctor immediately after the accident, you may risk aggravating your injuries or developing chronic or permanent conditions that could affect your quality of life and ability to work.
- Weaken your claim: If you decide to pursue a claim against the at-fault party for damages that exceed your PIP coverage, such as property damage, pain and suffering, or future medical expenses, you will need to prove that the other driver was careless and that their actions caused your injuries and losses.
It is crucial to seek medical treatment immediately after a car accident. For one, you always need to put your health first. Additionally, having the correct medical records will be necessary as proof of any potential claim you make. Failure to get medical care within 14 days could make the at-fault driver’s insurance company or lawyer argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident, that they were not as serious as you claim, or that you failed to mitigate your damages by seeking timely treatment. This could reduce any settlement offer they may make or jeopardize your right to seek compensation entirely.
How Long Does It Take to Settle an Auto Accident Claim in St. Petersburg, FL?
The time it takes to settle a car accident claim and recover compensation varies from case to case. We wish there was a simple, straightforward answer to this question, but there are a lot of factors that come into play, including:
The Severity of Your Injuries
If you have serious car accident injuries that require extensive medical care, it may take longer to determine the full value of your claim and reach a fair settlement. You may also need to wait until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), which is the point at which your condition stabilizes and no further improvement is expected. Make sure you have legal representation from a car accident lawyer in St. Petersburg, FL, to protect your right to compensation.
The Clarity of Fault and Liability
If it is clear who caused the accident, it may be easier to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company or the at-fault party. However, if there is any dispute or uncertainty about who was at fault or how much they are liable for, it may take longer to investigate the accident, gather evidence, and prove your case. You may need an aggressive car accident attorney with the skills and resources to establish the liability of the negligent parties.
The Cooperation of the Parties Involved
If the insurer or the at-fault party is willing to cooperate and offer a reasonable settlement that covers your damages, you will obviously be able to resolve your claim quickly and amicably. However, if they are uncooperative, dishonest, or offer a lowball settlement that does not reflect your losses, you may need to fight for your rights and pursue legal action.
The Availability of Evidence
If you have strong evidence that supports your claim, such as police reports, photos, videos, medical records, expert opinions, and witness statements, you may be able to expedite the process and secure a favorable settlement. However, if you have insufficient evidence or witnesses, there will be delays in proving your claim.
The Complexity of the Legal Issues Involved
Every St. Petersburg car accident case is unique. If your case is as simple as proving negligence and causation, your St. Petersburg car accident lawyer may be able to settle your claim without much difficulty. On the other hand, if there are multiple parties, bad faith insurance practices, comparative fault, or statutory exceptions, your lawyer may need more time and resources to resolve your claim.
Based on these factors, it could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few years to settle a claim for a distracted driving accident in St. Petersburg. Hit and run accident claims can be even more complex. Some insurance companies may be uncooperative, whereas others offer to settle not long after the suit. Due to the various factors, it can be hard to predict how long a particular case will take. The best way to estimate how long your car accident claim will take is to consult an experienced car accident attorney at Lewis & Castagliola, P.A. One of our car accident lawyers will provide a free case evaluation. Looking at the circumstances of your situation gives you an approximate timeline and outcome of your claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Car Accident in St. Petersburg, Florida?
If you or someone in your family sustained serious injuries from a car accident in Florida, you must adhere to all deadlines to file your case. Florida law House Bill 837 was enacted in March 2023, which states that a victim has two years from the date of the car crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. In situations where a car or pedestrian accident victim dies, their family also has two years from the date of the death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. A wrongful death suit is a claim allowing a victim’s loved ones to get compensation for funeral expenses, loss of support, loss of companionship, and other losses related to the death of their loved one.
There are some exceptions to the Statute of limitations law that may allow you to file the suit after the deadline. These exceptions include instances where the following may have occurred:
- The defendant hid their identity or location on purpose or changed their name or appearance to avoid liability.
- The defendant moved out of Florida before you could sue them.
- You were legally unable to sue at the time of the accident because of a permanent or temporary mental condition. You can still sue within seven years of the accident date, so this exception also has a deadline.
However, none of these extensions are guaranteed. Your Lewis & Castagliola, P.A. attorneys can review the facts of your case, determine the applicable statute of limitations, and advise you on the best course of action. Don’t wait too long, as missing the deadline could result in losing your right to recover compensation.
How Much is My St. Petersburg Car Accident Claim Worth?
How much your car accident claim is worth depends on many factors so it would be impossible to know without speaking to a personal injury lawyer. Personal injury attorneys have extensive knowledge in a variety of personal injury cases across Tampa, Pinellas County, and the entire State of Florida. After evaluating your case, we can accurately estimate how much your case could be worth. You may be entitled to substantial compensation! To find out how much your car accident claim is worth, schedule your free case evaluation with Lewis & Castagliola, P.A. Call now.
Choose Experienced St. Petersburg, FL, Attorneys
A car crash can change your life in an instant. You may be suffering from debilitating physical injuries and emotional distress. You might miss work due to your car accident and are under financial stress. Most likely, you have accumulated huge medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Many car accident victims unfortunately experience prolonged pain and suffering for months or years to come, in addition to unpaid bills. Unfortunately, that’s not all. You may also have to deal with strong-willed insurance companies and their armies of lawyers who may try their best to minimize or deny your claim.
Don’t go through it alone. With decades of experience in representing people like you, we at Lewis & Castagliola, P.A. know what tactics the defendant’s insurance company may use to undermine claims regarding car accidents. Most importantly, we know how to counter them with solid evidence and persuasive arguments.
We have the skills and resources to handle a variety of claims, from minor fender benders to fatal crashes. Our lawyers are determined to maximize your compensation no matter how bleak the situation may seem at the moment. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to pay us a dime unless we win your case. Schedule your free, no-risk legal consultation today by calling 727-343-3477 or reaching out to us online.
