Florida Car Accident Lawyer FAQ
Straight answers from a board certified auto accident lawyer serving Tampa Bay.
If you were hurt in a crash, here is what to expect next.
Answers From a St. Petersburg Car Accident Lawyer
Car crashes leave people with the same worries: medical bills, missed paychecks, and an insurance adjuster who wants a quick answer. Attorney John R. Mathias, a car accident attorney board certified in civil trial law by the Florida Bar, has heard these questions from clients throughout St. Petersburg, Tampa, Clearwater, Pinellas Park, Largo, Seminole, and Gulfport for more than 20 years. Our injury law firm handles everything from a routine car crash to a serious injury claim, and as your auto accident lawyer, John works to get the medical care, wage loss, and pain and suffering compensation you deserve.
What should I do immediately after a car accident in St. Petersburg?
Check for injuries, call 911, and get medical attention even if you feel fine. Some serious injuries, including concussions and soft tissue damage, don't show symptoms right away. Exchange information with the other driver, photograph the scene and vehicle damage, and speak with a car accident lawyer before you give a recorded statement to any insurance company.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Florida?
Florida's statute of limitations for most car accident injury claims is two years from the date of the crash. Waiting too long can make it harder to gather evidence and locate witnesses, so an experienced personal injury attorney should review your case as soon as possible to protect your right to compensation.
Who pays my medical bills after a Tampa Bay car crash?
Florida is a no-fault state, so your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays your initial medical bills regardless of who caused the accident, up to your policy limit. When injuries are serious and costs run higher than PIP covers, our injury claim lawyer team works to recover the difference from the at-fault driver's insurance carrier. We also help clients recover out-of-pocket expenses like prescription costs and mileage to medical appointments that PIP sometimes overlooks.
Can I still recover damages if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Yes. Florida follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still pursue compensation even if you share some blame for the crash. Your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault, which is why it matters to have an accident lawyer build a case that keeps that percentage as low as possible. A serious injury lawyer can also document long-term medical needs that increase the value of your claim.
What if my crash involved a commercial or delivery truck?
Crashes with commercial vehicles are more complicated than a typical car accident claim. A commercial truck accident lawyer has to investigate the trucking company, the driver's logs, and federal safety regulations, and a delivery truck accident lawyer often deals with corporate insurers who move quickly to limit their liability. Our firm handles both truck and delivery vehicle collisions alongside standard auto accident claims. Whether you were hit by a local delivery van or a long haul tractor-trailer, our truck accident attorney reviews black box data, maintenance logs, and driver qualification files to build your claim.
What happens if a car accident results in a death?
A fatal accident lawyer helps the surviving family pursue a wrongful death claim, which can recover funeral costs, lost future income, and compensation for the loss of companionship. These cases follow different rules than a standard injury claim, and our firm's wrongful death FAQ covers the process families need to understand.
More Answers For Injury Victims in Tampa Bay
Car accidents raise questions that overlap with broader personal injury law and, in the most serious cases, wrongful death claims. These related pages cover the topics our clients ask about most.
Talk to a Car Accident Attorney Who Knows Pinellas County
You don't have to figure out fault, insurance, or medical bills on your own after a crash on I-275, along Gandy Boulevard, or anywhere else in Pinellas County. John R. Mathias has spent more than two decades as a board certified civil trial specialist fighting for car accident victims and their families, and your consultation costs nothing. Whether your case involves a rear-end collision on 4th Street or a multi-vehicle pileup on the Howard Frankland Bridge, our car crash lawyer team investigates every angle to maximize your settlement.