Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in St. Petersburg
Auto Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents remain one of the leading causes of serious injury in Florida. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, thousands of crashes occur annually in Pinellas County alone.
Our St. Petersburg personal injury attorney team handles:
- Car Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Scooter Accidents
- Rideshare Accidents (Uber/Lyft)
- Delivery Vehicle Accidents
- Taxi Accidents
Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is devastating. Florida’s Wrongful Death Act allows certain surviving family members to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
We handle:
- Wrongful Death Claims
- Fatal Accidents Due to Negligence
- Wrongful Death Lawsuits for Auto, Truck & Motorcycle Accidents
Slip/Trip and Fall
Property owners in St. Petersburg must maintain premises that are reasonably safe for visitors and customers. When hazards are ignored or security is inadequate, serious injuries can occur, leading to preventable personal injury claims.
We represent injury victims injured due to:
- Slip and Fall Injuries
- Trip and Fall Accidents
- Premises Liability Cases
Medical Malpractice
Patients trust medical professionals to provide competent care, but mistakes can cause devastating consequences. When healthcare providers violate accepted standards of care, victims may pursue compensation through a medical negligence claim.
Our personal injury attorneys in St. Petersburg, Florida, handle:
- Surgical Errors
- Misdiagnosis
- Birth Injuries
- Medication Errors
- Brain Injuries
Other Personal Injury Cases
Not every injury falls into common categories like car accidents or slip and fall cases. Our personal injury law firm represents clients across St. Petersburg and Pinellas County in a wide range of claims caused by someone else’s negligence.
We assist clients in cases involving:
- Child Injury Lawyer
- Burn Injury Lawyer
- Dog Bite Lawyer
- Boat Accident Lawyer
- Golf Cart Accident Lawyer
- ATV Accident Lawyer
Injured? Let Our Aggressive Legal Team Step in Today.
You focus on healing while we handle insurance companies and the legal process. Start with a free case evaluation and protect your right to compensation.
Florida Laws and Regulations That Impact Personal Injury Claims
Personal injury cases in St. Petersburg are shaped by specific Florida statutes that control deadlines, fault rules, and insurance procedures. Understanding these laws helps injury victims protect their rights and avoid costly mistakes during the legal process.
Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence law, your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of responsibility for the accident. If you are found to be 51% or more at fault, recovery may be barred in most negligence claims.
Florida law generally provides two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline can permanently prevent you from pursuing financial compensation, regardless of how serious your injuries are.
Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system for motor vehicle accidents. Personal Injury Protection coverage pays initial medical expenses and lost wages, but serious injuries may allow you to step outside the system and pursue a claim against the at-fault party.
Proving Negligence in a St. Petersburg Personal Injury Case
To recover compensation under Florida law, a personal injury claim must be supported by clear evidence. Proving negligence requires establishing four essential legal elements. Without each one, insurance companies will attempt to deny or reduce your claim.
- Duty of care: The responsible party had a legal obligation to act reasonably and prevent harm. Drivers must operate vehicles safely, and property owners must maintain safe premises.
- Breach of duty: The party failed to meet that obligation through careless or unsafe conduct, such as distracted driving or ignoring known hazards.
- Causation: The breach directly caused your injuries. We must demonstrate that your harm would not have occurred without the defendant’s actions.
- Damages: You suffered measurable losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, or other financial harm.
By carefully documenting each of these elements, our legal team builds a structured, evidence-based case designed to withstand scrutiny from insurance companies and, if necessary, a Pinellas County jury.
What Compensation Can You Recover in St. Petersburg
A personal injury claim is designed to restore financial stability and recognize the full impact of your injuries. Depending on the circumstances of your case, Florida law allows accident victims to pursue several categories of damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate for measurable financial losses directly tied to your injury. These damages are supported by documentation such as bills, pay records, and expert evaluations.
- Medical bills: Hospital stays, surgeries, emergency care, and follow-up treatment related to your injuries.
- Future medical expenses: Anticipated costs for ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, or long-term care.
- Lost wages: Income lost while recovering and unable to work.
- Loss of earning capacity: Reduced ability to earn income in the future due to lasting impairments.
- Property damage: Costs to repair or replace damaged vehicles or personal property.
Carefully calculating economic damages ensures your settlement reflects both current and future financial needs.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages address the personal and emotional toll of a serious injury. These losses are not tied to receipts but are equally significant.
- Pain and suffering: Physical discomfort and ongoing limitations caused by your injuries.
- Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, trauma, or psychological harm following the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Inability to participate in hobbies or daily activities you once enjoyed.
- Permanent disability or disfigurement: Long-term physical changes that affect appearance or mobility.
- Loss of Consortium: Your spouse, and sometimes children, can recover money damages for the loss of your companionship and services.
These damages recognize that recovery involves more than paying medical expenses. They reflect how the injury has changed your life.
Punitive Damages
Under §768.72, Florida courts may award punitive damages when a defendant's conduct was grossly negligent or intentional. These damages are less common but may be appropriate in cases involving drunk driving, egregious disregard for safety, or deliberate harm.
What Happens After You File a Personal Injury Claim
Many clients come to us without fully understanding the legal process. Here is how a typical personal injury case in St. Petersburg progresses.
The process starts with a free consultation. We review the facts, ask questions about your injuries and treatment, and give you an honest assessment of your claim. There is no cost to speak with us, and no obligation to hire us.
Once we accept a case, we act immediately. We secure police reports, photographs, surveillance footage, medical records, and employment documentation. We interview witnesses early and consult reconstruction professionals when liability is disputed. Evidence fades quickly, footage is erased, and memories weaken. Prompt investigation strengthens your position from the start.
After treatment is complete or your condition stabilizes, we prepare a detailed demand outlining damages and liability. We negotiate firmly for fair compensation and refuse to accept undervalued offers.
If negotiations fail, we file a lawsuit and begin formal litigation, including discovery and depositions. Many cases move toward resolution at this stage. If a trial becomes necessary, we are fully prepared to proceed.
Most personal injury cases settle before trial. When they do, we make sure clients understand the terms and that the settlement reflects the full scope of their losses. When they do not settle, we take them to a verdict.
Meet Angela & Lauren:
Dedicated to Your Case from Start to Finish
"Insurance companies have teams of lawyers. You deserve an attorney who knows your name and fights just as hard for you."Angela Zervos
With 20+ years of undefeated litigation experience, Angela delivers aggressive advocacy and genuine care for every client.
"Our clients aren't case numbers. They're our neighbors who need someone who genuinely cares about their recovery."Lauren Calta
With 30 years of courtroom experience, Lauren blends fierce representation with compassion and clear communication.
What Makes Zervos & Calta Different
Real Trial Lawyers
Many personal injury firms rarely go to court. Our attorneys have decades of courtroom experience and are fully prepared to take cases to trial when insurers refuse fair compensation.
20+ Years Undefeated in the Courtroom
Angela Zervos has maintained an undefeated trial record for more than two decades, successfully litigating against major insurance companies.
24/7 Direct Attorney Access
You can contact our firm at any time, day or night, and speak directly with the attorneys handling your case.
No Upfront Fees
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
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Hear from the Clients We’ve Helped
Serving Injured People Across St. Petersburg and Pinellas County
Zervos & Calta serves personal injury clients throughout St. Petersburg and Pinellas County, including Clearwater, Largo, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Park, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Seminole, Oldsmar, and Tarpon Springs.
Contact Zervos & Calta for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in St. Petersburg because of someone else's negligence, you have a limited time to act and real rights to protect. Our personal injury attorneys offer a free case evaluation with no obligation to hire us. You will speak directly with Angela Zervos or Lauren Calta, not a staff member.
There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you. Call us today or complete our online contact form to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Seek medical attention first. Some serious conditions, including internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries, may not show symptoms right away. Then document the scene if possible, exchange information, report the accident, and consult a personal injury attorney before making any statement to an insurance company.
Yes, if your fault does not exceed 50%. Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule reduces compensation by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies often try to shift blame, and our attorneys gather evidence to challenge those claims.
It depends on the complexity of the case. Some claims settle within months, while others that require litigation may take a year or more. We focus on securing fair compensation rather than rushing to an inadequate settlement.
Florida requires drivers to carry PIP coverage, but not all drivers comply. If you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may provide a path to compensation. We review all available insurance coverage when evaluating a claim.
Most cases resolve before trial. However, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial, because that preparation is what gives us credibility in negotiation. If a fair settlement is not on the table, we are fully prepared to present your case to a Pinellas County jury.