St. Petersburg Personal Injury FAQ
Answers from a board certified personal injury trial lawyer serving Tampa Bay since 2006.
Get straight answers about your rights, your claim, and working with our injury law firm.
Common Questions About Personal Injury Claims in Florida
Every case is different, but the questions people ask before hiring a personal injury lawyer tend to be the same. Here are the ones we hear most from clients in St. Petersburg, Tampa, Clearwater, Pinellas Park, Largo, Seminole, and Gulfport.
What does a personal injury trial lawyer actually do?
A personal injury trial lawyer prepares every case as though it may go before a jury, even when most claims settle. That preparation changes how insurance companies respond. When an adjuster knows your attorney has genuine trial experience, they negotiate differently than they would with a firm that only settles cases from a desk.
Why does it matter that John Mathias is a board certified personal injury lawyer?
Board certification from the Florida Bar is not automatic. Attorney John R. Mathias has held Civil Trial Board Certification for more than 20 years, a credential that requires proven trial experience, peer review, and ongoing testing in the field. It tells you your case is being handled by an experienced personal injury attorney who has met a standard most lawyers never pursue.
What types of accident and injury cases do you handle?
Our firm represents clients hurt in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck and delivery truck accidents, bicycle and e-bike accidents, pedestrian accidents, and boating accidents on Tampa Bay waters. We also handle dog bite claims, slip and fall and premises liability cases, product liability claims involving defective products, construction accident injuries, spinal cord injuries, and wrongful death claims for families who have lost a loved one. If your situation does not fit neatly into one category, we can still evaluate it.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Florida?
Florida generally gives injury victims two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, though certain claims, such as those against government entities, carry shorter notice deadlines. Waiting too long can mean losing your right to recover compensation entirely, so it is worth talking to a serious injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident, even if you are still recovering.
How much does it cost to hire an accident injury attorney?
We handle personal injury and wrongful death cases on contingency, meaning you pay no upfront fees and owe nothing unless we recover compensation for you. This lets injured clients across Pinellas and Hillsborough counties get experienced legal help without worrying about hourly billing while they are trying to heal.
What should I do right after a serious accident?
Seek medical attention first, even if your injuries seem minor, since some symptoms take days to appear. Document the scene with photos if you are able, get names and contact information for witnesses, and avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster before speaking with a car accident attorney or injury claim lawyer who can protect your interests from the start.
Browse Our Detailed FAQ Guides
Some questions deserve a deeper answer than a single page can give. Explore these topic specific guides for more detail on the issues our clients ask about most.
Still Have Questions About Your Case?
Every accident is different, and a five minute phone call can tell you more than an hour of searching online. Speak directly with our office about what happened and what your options may be, with no obligation and no pressure.