Were you involved in a collision in St. Petersburg, Florida? If so, you might be entitled to seek compensation for your lost wages, medical bills, and other damages. The St. Petersburg car accident lawyers at Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers can help you pursue an optimal recovery. Call us at (727) 314-5988 to get the legal assistance you need.
Unfortunately, insurance companies and other at-fault parties won’t willingly give you the money you deserve. Our law firm has over a century of combined legal experience, and we’ve secured millions of dollars in life-altering settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients.
Contact our St. Petersburg, FL law firm to get a free initial case evaluation. We’ll discuss your legal options and guide you through the claims process.
Why Should I Hire Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers After a Car Accident in St. Petersburg, FL?
When you are dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, selecting the right legal representation is crucial. At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, we are dedicated to providing the best possible advocacy for our clients.
Here are some of the reasons car accident victims choose our St. Petersburg lawyers:
- We are an award-winning firm with compassionate and aggressive legal professionals.
- We have an impressive 119 years of combined experience and a proven track record of success, with tens of millions recovered to date.
- We handle all negotiations and litigation, allowing you to focus solely on your physical recovery.
- We are familiar with the local court systems and know how to fight the insurance companies’ tactics to minimize payouts.
Let our experience work for you. Call our law offices today to schedule a free consultation with our St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer.
Our Car Accident Attorneys Have Helped Clients Recover Tens of Millions of Dollars
The top-rated car accident attorneys at our firm have a strong record of success representing Floridians in various auto accident and negligence cases.
We have secured multiple million-dollar settlements and verdicts in favor of our clients, including:
- A $5 million auto accident case
- A $3 million auto negligence settlement
- A $1.75 million auto negligence verdict
- A $1 million motor vehicle collision claim
Our clients have used these awards to compensate for their medical bills, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Why Should I Hire a St. Petersburg Car Accident Lawyer?
You should get a car accident lawyer because doing so will likely increase the amount of money you receive from your case. Other reasons include:
- You will help to level the playing field with the other side. Insurance companies have entire legal departments dedicated to helping them escape or reduce their liability. Without your own accident lawyer to help with your case, you stand a greater chance of being taken advantage of.
- You deserve to rest and recuperate from the accident, not worry about how you will be made whole again. Our legal team can take care of every aspect of your personal injury claim for compensation in the meantime.
- The other party in your case will probably try to pin the blame for the accident on you. If they succeed in doing so, they’ll reduce their liability for the accident. Experienced car accident attorneys are adept at combatting these accusations.
Reach out to Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers today to learn more about how an attorney can help with your particular case.
How Much Is My St. Petersburg Car Accident Claim Worth?
Because all car wrecks and victims are different, it’s challenging to give an exact number without knowing the specifics of your case. Generally, the more severe your injuries, the more your case will be worth.
Other factors affect claim values, including:
- How your injuries impact your quality of life and ability to earn a living
- The parties involved in the case and applicable insurance coverage
- Whether you contributed to the crash and to what proportion
- The trauma you’ve endured due to the accident
- Your pain and suffering
- Whether your injury has generated a permanent impairment or disability
During your free consultation, we’ll examine the facts of your case and give you a better idea of how much you can expect to gain in a settlement.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Car Accident in St. Petersburg, FL?
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be entitled to economic and non-economic awards. Your financial compensation will also depend on whether you file a claim with your insurance company, a lawsuit, or both.
Economic damages cover the monetary losses you experienced due to the accident, such as:
- Medical care fees
- Future medical treatment, such as ongoing physical therapy or rehabilitation
- Loss of wages
- Loss of future earning potential
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic awards cover your personal and more difficult-to-value losses, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and vehophobia
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Diminished quality of life
Sometimes, punitive damages may be assigned. While rare, they are awarded when a defendant’s conduct was intentional, reckless, or consciously disregarded human life. They may be awarded in personal injury cases where the defendant was driving under the influence when they provoked the crash.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Pinellas County?
Nothing upfront because most auto accident lawyers throughout Pinellas County work on a contingency fee basis.
When we enter into an attorney-client relationship, we will agree upon a percentage of your recovery we’ll receive if we win your case. The rate is typically between 33 to 40% of your awarded damages. You won’t owe us any attorney’s fees if we don’t secure compensation for you.
This arrangement allows you to retain an experienced attorney without paying any upfront expenses. We’ll look at our contingency fee agreement with you during your first appointment.
Am I Still Entitled to Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Car Accident?
Yes. Florida operates under a modified comparative negligence system, meaning you can still retrieve compensation if you’re partially responsible for causing the wreck. However, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your negligence. You cannot recover compensation if you are mostly (> 50%) responsible for the accident.
For example, if the court finds you 30% at fault for the car wreck, you will only be able to get 70% of your awards.
Insurance companies know this rule and often use it to limit the amount of money they have to pay victims. If you’re being blamed for your accident, contact us immediately for help. We’re familiar with these strategies and know how to fight back.
Who Could Be Held Liable for My Injuries?
While the at-fault driver is the most obvious party, others could also share liability, depending on the circumstances of the crash, including:
- The at-fault driver
- The vehicle owner
- A government entity
- An employer
- The manufacturer of a defective auto part
Determining liability after a car accident can be complex. Our firm is experienced in these types of cases and will carefully investigate yours to identify all the potentially liable parties involved.
How Does Florida’s No-Fault Auto Insurance Affect My Car Accident Claim?
Florida is a no-fault auto insurance state. All drivers must carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which protects the insured after an accident. After a collision, you must first present a claim with your PIP insurance company, regardless of who was at fault for the accident.
PIP covers up to 80% of your reasonable medical costs and 60% of your lost wages. However, the minimum mandated PIP coverage in Florida is $10,000, which may not cover all of your losses.
If the at-fault driver has bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage, you can file a claim against their BIL insurance company. If they don’t, you may be able to submit a personal injury lawsuit against them for the losses that exceed your PIP policy limits. Contact us to talk about your case and determine the available options for compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
Car accident victims must file their lawsuit within two years of the collision under the statute of limitations of the state. If you lost a loved one in a fatal wreck, you will also only have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Exceptions may apply in some circumstances. For instance, you may have a longer deadline depending on when the accident occurred. Do not let too much time pass before taking legal action. Evidence can be lost, and memories can fade. Contact us as soon as possible so that we can start building a solid claim for damages.
We Handle All Types of Car Accident Cases in St. Petersburg
With more than 119 years of combined experience, you can be assured that our accident lawyers can help with your car accident case. We can help with the following types of collision cases. Just to name a few:
- Highway accidents
- DUI accidents
- Distracted driving accidents
- Accidents involving bicycles or motorcycles
- Parking lot accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Speeding accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on crashes
Serious car accident injuries can be life-altering for the injured victims and their families. If you were injured in any auto accident, set up a free case review with our personal injury law firm in St. Petersburg, Florida, today.
Car Accident FAQs
How to Choose the Right Car Accident Lawyer in St. Petersburg
Selecting the right St. Petersburg car accident attorney is a decision that can significantly impact the outcome of your case.
To ensure you have the best advocate on your side, look for a firm with a proven track record of success in handling cases like yours. An experienced personal injury attorney will not only be familiar with Florida law but will also have a deep understanding of local court procedures and the strategies insurance companies use in Pinellas County.
You should also choose a firm that communicates clearly and keeps you informed throughout the entire legal process. Look for a firm that offers a free consultation and works on a contingency fee basis, so you can receive expert legal representation without any upfront costs.
Reasons To File a Car Accident Claim
Filing a claim after an accident is your best chance for adequate compensation. While your PIP coverage might make up for some of the consequences of the accident, it might not be enough to cover all of them.
For instance, you can receive money for things like emotional suffering if you raise a claim against the at-fault party. Other reasons to do so include:
- You will hold the at-fault party responsible for their actions
- You can receive compensation that accurately reflects all of your losses
- You’ll help to cover others in society from suffering similar kinds of harm
At the least, it is worth your time to reach out to a St. Petersburg car accident lawyer for a complimentary consultation. In that meeting, the attorney can discuss your legal options and help you determine your best course of action.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Car Accident in Florida?
Negligence is failing to use reasonable care, thereby injuring another person. Proving that other people negligently provoked a car crash consists of the following elements:
- The driver owed you a duty of care;
- The driver breached their duty by failing to drive cautiously or follow traffic laws;
- The breach directly caused the accident; and
- You suffered damages as a result of the crash.
To prove these elements of negligence, you will need evidence, which may include:
- The traffic crash report
- Photos and videos of the scene and your injuries
- Dash cam and surveillance footage, if available
- Medical reports from your healthcare providers
- Employment records
- Eyewitness declarations
- Expert witness testimony
- Physical evidence
- Statements from your friends and family regarding how your injuries have affected your everyday life
We’ll help you gather everything needed to prove negligence and the full extent of your damages.
Where Do Car Accidents in St. Petersburg Happen?
Some parts of this city are more prone to auto accidents than others. The most dangerous roads in the city include:
- U.S. Highway 19
- Interstate 275
- 34th St. N. and 5th Ave. N.
- 38th Ave. N.
- Central Ave
Get in touch with Winters & Yonker today for trusted legal advice and assistance.
What Causes Most Car Collisions?
Car accidents are generally generated by driver error when someone is inattentive or reckless.
Some of the most common causes of crashes are:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding or driving too fast
- Driver fatigue
- Drug or alcohol impairment
- Aggressive driving, such as tailgating or cutting someone off
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Improper passing
- Defective vehicle parts
- Inexperienced driving
- Road debris or poor road conditions, such as potholes
Weather state and unfamiliarity with the area can also contribute to catastrophic accidents. We’ll investigate your specific situation to determine how it occurred and find out who is liable for your damages.
What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accident Injuries?
The force of a car accident can lead to a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to life-altering, catastrophic trauma.
Some of the most common types of car accident injuries that we see in our practice include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Shoulder and arm injuries
- Leg and knee injuries
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Scarring and disfiguration
- Whiplash injuries
- Chest injuries
- Concussions
- Dislocations
- The wrongful death of a loved one
Always seek a full medical evaluation after a crash. Even in a seemingly minor fender bender, you may have suffered serious internal injuries that aren’t immediately apparent.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
The steps you take after a car accident can significantly impact how your claim plays out down the line. Here is what to do and not do:
- Dial 911 to alert the proper authorities, which is mandated by law if the accident was serious enough.
- Stay at the scene of the accident, and if it is safe to do so, collect any evidence that helps to demonstrate your damages. This includes things like taking pictures and videos as well as taking down the contact information of witnesses.
- Do not accept blame for the accident, and do not make any apologies. That can lower the value of your case.
- Receive medical attention even if you aren’t obviously injured. Certain injuries show themselves only after some time has passed, and medical records will be crucial to proving your case.
You should also contact a lawyer after a crash, as an accident attorney can provide you with guidance and insight into how to proceed as well.
How Common Are Car Accidents in St. Petersburg? (2025 Update)
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reported 381,385 statewide collisions in 2024. Those caused 246,445 injuries and 3,142 deaths. That means at least 65% of crashes resulted in an injury.
Pinellas County accounted for 14,388 of Florida’s collisions in 2024. They resulted in 8,803 serious injuries and 112 fatalities.
According to statistics, as of 10/22/25, there have been 10,638 crashes already, causing a total of 6,428 injuries. Also, there have been 291 accidents involving motorcycles and 2,815 hit-and-run accidents.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With Our St. Petersburg Car Accident Attorneys
If you’ve sustained injuries in a car accident, do not hesitate to contact our St. Petersburg car accident lawyers. We’re here to help you get the highest compensation available.
Reach out to Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers today to get an initial consultation for free and bring a fierce advocate to your corner.
Visit Our St. Petersburg Law Office
111 2nd Ave NE Suite 350
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 314-5988
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Additional Car Accident Resources
- When Should I Go to the Doctor After a Car Accident in St. Petersburg?
- Can You Sue for a Car Accident in Florida If You Are Not Hurt?
- How Long Do I Have To File a Claim in Florida?
St. Petersburg Auto Accident Infographic
