Personal Injury Lawyer Guide for St. Petersburg, Florida

Introduction: Injuries in St. Petersburg, Florida

With its award-winning beaches, vibrant downtown, and year-round influx of tourists, St. Petersburg sees heavy traffic on I-275, U.S. 19, and the Pinellas Bayway. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Pinellas County recorded 17,875 traffic crashes in 2022 alone. Beyond roadway collisions, the region’s dense population and active nightlife also contribute to slip-and-fall incidents, boating accidents on Tampa Bay, and injuries related to hurricane preparation. If you are coping with medical bills, lost wages, or pain after an accident in St. Petersburg, understanding Florida personal injury law is essential to protecting your right to fair compensation. This guide—grounded exclusively in authoritative Florida statutes, court rules, and government data—explains how personal injury claims work in the Sunshine State, which deadlines apply, and what local resources are available to Pinellas County residents. While the information is designed to slightly favor victims, it remains strictly factual and neutral in tone. Use it as a starting point before speaking with a qualified personal injury lawyer in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Understanding Your Personal Injury Rights in Florida

Negligence and the Duty of Care

Most personal injury cases arise from negligence—the failure to use reasonable care under the circumstances. Florida recognizes four classic elements, established in state case law such as McCain v. Florida Power Corp., 593 So.2d 500 (Fla. 1992):

• Duty: The defendant owed you a legal duty of care.

• Breach: The defendant breached that duty through action or inaction.

• Causation: The breach caused your injuries (both cause-in-fact and proximate cause).

• Damages: You suffered identifiable losses—medical costs, lost wages, pain, etc.

Comparative Negligence in Florida (Fla. Stat. § 768.81)

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence model after the 2023 amendments to § 768.81. If you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages. If you are 50% or less at fault, your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, a $100,000 verdict will drop to $70,000 if you are found 30% responsible.

No-Fault (PIP) vs. Liability Claims

Under Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Law (Fla. Stat. § 627.736), motorists must carry at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP). PIP covers 80% of reasonable medical expenses and 60% of lost wages, regardless of fault, up to policy limits. You may still sue the at-fault driver when your injuries meet the “serious injury” threshold defined in § 627.737(2) (e.g., significant permanent loss of bodily function, permanent injury, significant scarring, or death).

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Florida

1. Motor Vehicle Accidents

Vehicle crashes are the leading source of personal injury claims in Pinellas County. Busy corridors such as 34th Street (U.S. 19) and Central Avenue see heightened risk due to congested tourist traffic and frequent pedestrian crossings.

2. Slip, Trip, and Fall Incidents

Florida premises liability law requires property owners to correct or warn of dangerous conditions they knew or should have known about. In transitory foreign substance cases (e.g., spilled liquid in a supermarket), Fla. Stat. § 768.0755 places the burden on the victim to prove the business had actual or constructive knowledge of the hazard.

3. Boating and Watercraft Accidents

With immediate access to Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, St. Petersburg ranks among Florida’s busiest boating hubs. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reported 63 boating accidents in Pinellas County in 2022, many involving operator inattention or excessive speed.

4. Bicycle and Pedestrian Injuries

Popular coastal trails and urban bike lanes have increased bicycle traffic. Florida law (Fla. Stat. § 316.2065) gives cyclists similar rights and duties as motorists, meaning negligent drivers can be held liable for violating a cyclist’s right-of-way.

5. Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

Florida imposes strict liability on dog owners (Fla. Stat. § 767.04). The victim need not prove negligence—only that the bite occurred in a public place or while lawfully on private property.

6. Wrongful Death

Claims brought under Fla. Stat. § 768.19 allow surviving family members to recover damages when a death results from another’s wrongful act, negligence, or breach of contract. The personal representative must file suit on behalf of the estate and qualified survivors.

Florida Legal Protections & Injury Laws

Statute of Limitations (Fla. Stat. § 95.11)

• General negligence: 2 years from the date of injury (reduced from 4 years as of 3/24/2023).

• Medical malpractice: 2 years from discovery but no more than 4 years after the incident (statute of repose).

• Wrongful death: 2 years from the date of death.

• Claims against state or local government: Presuit notice requirement under Fla. Stat. § 768.28(6) and a 3-year window (2 years for wrongful death).

Missing these deadlines generally bars your claim, so prompt action is vital.

Damage Caps and Limitations

Florida abolished caps on non-economic damages in standard negligence cases; however, sovereign immunity under § 768.28 limits recoveries against state or local entities to $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident, unless the legislature passes a claims bill.

Collateral Source Rule

Under Fla. Stat. § 768.76, certain payments received by the victim (e.g., health insurance) may reduce the defendant’s liability, but only after the jury verdict and through post-verdict motions. This prevents defendants from introducing evidence of your insurance during trial.

Attorney Licensing and Contingency Fees

All personal injury lawyers practicing in Florida must be members in good standing of the Florida Bar and comply with Florida Bar Rules 4-1.5 on contingency fees. Typical percentages are 33⅓% for pre-suit recoveries up to $1 million and 40% after filing an answer or demand for arbitration, though fees may differ for medical malpractice or if the defendant admits liability.

Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in Florida

1. Seek Immediate Medical Help

Visit a qualified provider within 14 days of a motor-vehicle accident to preserve your PIP benefits under § 627.736. St. Petersburg options include Bayfront Health St. Petersburg and HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital (formerly St. Petersburg General Hospital).

2. Document Everything

• Photograph the scene, visible injuries, and any hazards.

• Collect contact information for witnesses.

• Request police or incident reports—Pinellas County crash reports are obtainable via FLHSMV.

3. Notify Insurers but Limit Statements

Florida PIP policies require prompt notice. Provide only factual data; avoid recorded statements until you consult counsel. Anything said can be used to apportion fault under § 768.81.

4. Preserve Physical and Digital Evidence

Keep damaged property, dash-cam footage, or surveillance video. Send spoliation letters if a business owns the footage, invoking obligations under Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.380.

5. Track Economic Losses

Maintain receipts for medical care, mileage to appointments, pay stubs, and tax returns to substantiate lost wages under § 627.736 or tort damages.

6. Consult a Qualified Attorney

A St. Petersburg accident attorney can determine liability, calculate damages, and negotiate with insurers. Under Fla. Stat. § 57.105, an attorney can also seek fees for defending against frivolous motions by the opposing party.

When to Seek Legal Help in Florida

Although some PIP-only claims settle without dispute, certain red flags warrant immediate consultation:

• You sustained fractures, significant scarring, or permanent impairments.

• Liability is contested, or a police report inaccurately assigns you fault.

• The insurer denies or undervalues medical bills.

• The at-fault party lacks adequate coverage, triggering potential uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) claims.

Florida’s two-year statute of limitations—and the need to gather time-sensitive evidence—make early representation critical. Contingency-fee arrangements mean most victims pay no fees unless a recovery is made.

Local Resources & Next Steps

Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court

All civil filings in St. Petersburg are handled through the Sixth Judicial Circuit. Court addresses and e-filing information are available at the Clerk’s website.

Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service

If you have not yet selected counsel, use the Florida Bar’s free referral tool:

Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service.

Medical and Rehabilitation Facilities

• Bayfront Health St. Petersburg: Level II trauma center located downtown.

• HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital: 6500 38th Ave N, offering orthopedic and neurosurgery departments.

• Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital: Specialized pediatric care for injured minors.

Crash and Incident Reports

For certified crash reports, visit the FLHSMV portal within 10 days of the accident. Businesses must keep surveillance video for at least 30 days if placed on notice, per preservation letters and case law such as Silhan v. Allstate, 236 So.3d 997 (Fla. 2d DCA 2018).

Legal Disclaimer

This guide provides general information for injury victims in St. Petersburg, Florida. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Always consult a licensed Florida attorney regarding your specific circumstances.

If you were injured due to someone else's negligence, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation and legal consultation.