1. Emerson Straw PL
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, premises liability, product liability
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, Uber and rideshare accidents, catastrophic injury cases, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Matthew D. Emerson has practiced law since 1993 after graduating cum laude from Stetson University College of Law. Florida Bar No. 998461. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Before representing plaintiffs, he worked as an associate attorney defending insurance companies including State Farm, Geico, and Travelers Insurance, providing him with valuable insight into how insurers assess and value claims. Co-founder Wesley T. Straw is also a member of the Florida Bar and the St. Petersburg Bar Association.
Location: 1101 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
Contact: (727) 821-1500 | (877) 428-4177 | https://emersonstraw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis (no fee unless they recover compensation)
2. St. Petersburg Personal Injury Attorneys McQuaid and Douglas (Battaglia, Ross, Dicus and McQuaid, P.A.)
Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death, brain injuries, slip and fall injuries, Uber and rideshare accidents, dog bites
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, hit-and-run accidents, uninsured motorist claims, catastrophic injury cases, traumatic brain injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical bill coordination, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, property damage claims
Background: Sean K. McQuaid, Florida Bar No. 311730, graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 2000 with both a Juris Doctor and MBA. He also earned his undergraduate degree from Princeton University in 1997 where he served as captain of the baseball team. Sean served as President of the St. Petersburg Bar Association from 2020 to 2021. He is a Martindale-Hubbell AV-rated attorney, named a Florida Super Lawyer since 2014, and recognized in Florida Trend Legal Elite. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and admitted to the Florida Bar, the Colorado Bar Association, and the District of Columbia Bar. Jonathon W. Douglas began his career as an Assistant Public Defender for the Sixth Judicial Circuit and later worked in insurance defense, providing insight into insurance company litigation tactics.
Location: 5858 Central Ave, Suite A, St. Petersburg, FL 33707 (additional downtown office at 136 4th St N #2233-A, St. Petersburg, FL 33701)
Contact: (727) 381-2300 | https://www.727injury.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis
3. Salter, Healy, Rivera and Heptner
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, DUI accidents, premises liability, slip and fall accidents, dog bites, wrongful death, medical malpractice, boat accidents
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, side-impact crashes, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, punitive damage claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Brad Salter, Florida Bar No. 90123, is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Florida Bar. He was the youngest board-certified civil trial lawyer in the state at the time he was first certified. Graduated from University of Texas School of Law in 1996, admitted to Florida Bar in 1996 and U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida in 1998. He previously worked defending insurance companies before transitioning to representing injured plaintiffs. Robert J. Healy is also a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer. The firm has more than 60 years of combined legal experience and includes former insurance defense attorneys who understand insurance company tactics. Members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Location: 2601 1st Avenue S., St. Petersburg, Florida 33712 (additional offices in Tampa, Clearwater, Bradenton, Sarasota, and Tallahassee)
Contact: (727) 321-4357 | https://www.salterhealy.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis, available 24/7
4. Jeeves Law Group
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice, dog bites, slip and fall accidents, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, commercial trucking accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, evidence gathering, medical record collection, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has years of experience handling complex personal injury cases in the Tampa Bay area. Attorneys are members of the Florida Bar and specialize in personal injury litigation. The firm handles all aspects of the legal process including investigation, negotiation with insurance companies, and courtroom representation when necessary.
Location: 2100 1st Ave S, Ste 2, St. Petersburg, FL 33712 (additional Tampa office at 701 S. Howard Ave. Suite 201, Tampa, FL 33606)
Contact: (727) 894-2929 | https://www.jeeveslawgroup.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis
5. John R. Mathias, P.A.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, premises liability, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims
Background: John R. Mathias has been practicing law since 1988 and has helped clients recover millions of dollars in compensation for injuries. He began his legal career working for insurance companies, which provides him with valuable insider perspective on how insurers assess and value claims. Licensed in Florida and admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Member of the St. Petersburg Bar Association with decades of experience representing injury victims throughout St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tampa, and South Florida.
Location: St. Petersburg, Florida (by appointment)
Contact: (727) 362-2122 | https://www.mathiaslawfirm.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Florida
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Two years from the date of the accident for personal injury claims (as of March 24, 2023; accidents occurring before this date may have a four-year statute of limitations under the previous law).
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Four years from the date of the accident.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Two years from the date of death.
Fault vs. No-Fault Insurance Status: Florida is a no-fault insurance state. Drivers must first turn to their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage to get compensation for medical bills and other losses after a crash, regardless of who was at fault. However, victims can step outside the no-fault system if injuries meet certain thresholds defined by Florida Statute 627.737, including significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule (as of March 24, 2023). Under this rule, a plaintiff’s damages award is reduced by a percentage equal to their share of fault. If the plaintiff is found to be 50% or more at fault for the accident, they are barred from recovering any compensation.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Florida requires drivers to carry at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage and at least $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage. Bodily Injury Liability coverage is not required by state law but is strongly encouraged.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Requirements: PIP coverage pays for 80% of the policyholder’s medical expenses after a crash that they incurred within 14 days of the motor vehicle accident, up to the policy limits. Failure to seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident may result in forfeiture of PIP benefits.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Regulations: While not required by law, Florida allows drivers to purchase uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage to protect themselves when the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance.
Damage Caps: Florida does not cap economic damages. Non-economic damages (pain and suffering) are generally not capped in personal injury cases. Punitive damages are available in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
Dram Shop Liability Laws: Florida has limited dram shop liability. Under Florida Statute 768.125, establishments that serve alcohol are generally not liable for damages caused by intoxicated patrons, except when the establishment knowingly served a minor or a person known to be habitually addicted to alcohol.
Vicarious Liability Rules for Vehicle Owners: Florida follows the dangerous instrumentality doctrine, which holds vehicle owners vicariously liable for damages caused by anyone driving their vehicle with permission.
Rental Car and Rideshare Accident Liability: Florida law requires rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft to maintain insurance coverage. When a driver is actively engaged in a ride, the company must provide at least $1 million in liability coverage.
Bad Faith Insurance Claim Laws: Florida allows first-party and third-party bad faith claims against insurance companies that fail to settle claims in good faith. Under Florida Statute 624.155, insurers must act in good faith when handling claims.
Reporting Requirements: Florida law requires drivers to report accidents that result in death, personal injury, or property damage exceeding $500 to law enforcement as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does Florida’s 14-day rule affect my car accident claim?
A: Under Florida law, you must seek medical evaluation and treatment within 14 days of your car accident to be eligible for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance benefits. If you fail to see a doctor within this 14-day window, you forfeit your right to claim PIP benefits, even if you later discover injuries related to the accident. This rule applies regardless of how minor your injuries may initially seem, which is why medical professionals and attorneys in St. Petersburg recommend getting checked immediately after any accident.
Q: What happens if I am partially at fault for my car accident in Florida?
A: Since March 2023, Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you are found to be partially at fault for your accident, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you are found 20% at fault, you would receive $80,000. However, if you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation. This makes it essential to work with an attorney who can help minimize any fault attributed to you.
Q: What is the process for filing a car accident lawsuit in Pinellas County courts?
A: To file a car accident lawsuit in Pinellas County, you must first ensure you meet Florida’s serious injury threshold to step outside the no-fault system. Your attorney will file a complaint in either Pinellas County Circuit Court (for claims over $50,000) or County Court (for smaller claims). The process includes filing the initial complaint, serving the defendant, the discovery phase where both parties exchange evidence, potential mediation, and possibly a trial. Most car accident cases settle before trial, but having an attorney prepared for litigation often results in better settlement offers.
Q: How long does a typical car accident claim take to resolve in St. Petersburg?
A: The timeline varies significantly depending on case complexity, injury severity, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Simple cases with clear liability and minor injuries may resolve within a few months. More complex cases involving serious injuries, disputed liability, or multiple parties can take one to three years or longer. Factors affecting timeline include the length of medical treatment, the completeness of evidence, insurance company responsiveness, and court scheduling if litigation is necessary.
Q: Can I recover compensation if hit by an uninsured driver in Florida?
A: Yes, you may still recover compensation through your own insurance policy if you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. While UM coverage is not required in Florida, it protects you when the at-fault driver has no insurance. Your own insurance company would step in to compensate you for damages the uninsured driver caused. Additionally, you can file a civil lawsuit directly against the uninsured driver, though collecting a judgment from someone without insurance can be challenging.