St. Petersburg Rear-End Collision Lawyer

Have you recently been injured in a rear-end accident in the St. Petersburg area? If so, you already know that these collisions can be a lot more serious than many people seem to think. Even at low speeds, a rear-end collision can result in debilitating back and soft-tissue injuries that leave injured victims unable to work and in need of expensive medical care. At higher speeds, the consequences can be absolutely devastating.

The Holliday Karatinos Law Firm understands what you're going through because we've helped people in similar situations for more than 50 years. We have secured favorable results for our clients, including $694,500, $600,000, and $510,000 in various motor vehicle accident cases. We often receive 5-star reviews from our clients, including this one from Justin D.:

We're ready to pursue the compensation you need to heal and move on with your life, and we’ll do so at no upfront cost to you. Contact us today for a free consultation with a rear-end collision lawyer in St. Petersburg, FL, and let us make your recovery our personal commitment.

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Florida’s Car Insurance System

Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system in which car accident victims initially turn to their own auto insurance policy to cover medical expenses and lost wages after a crash, regardless of fault. This system generally prohibits recovering compensation for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages. However, Section 627.737 of the Florida Statutes allows a car accident victim to pursue compensation for these damages when they suffer any of the following injuries in a car crash:

• Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function
• Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability
• Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement 
• Death 

Additionally, there are times when no-fault insurance doesn’t apply, such as in motorcycle accidents. To learn the damages that you can pursue under Florida law based on your particular circumstances, contact our St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers today. 

Who Is at Fault in a Rear-End Collision in St. Petersburg?

So, who is at fault in a rear-end collision? Section 316.0895 of the Florida Statutes prohibits drivers from following other vehicles more closely than is safe given road conditions. As such, the rear driver is usually to blame for a rear-end accident. However, other parties can be at fault, such as another driver who behaves carelessly or recklessly, such as cutting off another motorist and then stopping abruptly or the employer of a driver who causes a rear-end collision, if that driver was on the job at the time.

The best way to find out who may be responsible for your injuries is to contact the St. Petersburg car accident attorneys from Holliday Karatinos Law Firm for a free case evaluation. 

How to Prove Fault in a Florida Car Accident Case

Fault in most rear-end accidents is based on the legal theory of negligence, which essentially means carelessness. Someone is negligent when they fail to act with appropriate care under the circumstances and cause injury to someone else. To prove negligence, you may need evidence like:

• Police reports
• Photos of the accident scene
• Security, traffic, or dashboard camera footage
• Witness statements
• Phone and GPS records (which can help prove distracted driving)
• Data from the vehicles’ onboard computers
• Post-accident vehicle inspections
• Toxicology reports

Accident reconstruction experts may be called in to help understand complex cases, especially those involving several vehicles and multiple potentially at-fault parties. These professionals have in-depth training in physics and engineering that helps them analyze this evidence and recreate a likely chain of cause and effect leading to a collision.

Our legal team can gather the necessary evidence against negligent parties in pursuit of full and fair compensation for your personal injury claim.

What Happens if I Was Partly at Fault for the Rear-End Accident?

The March 2023 HB 837 changed §768.81 of the Florida Statutes, adopting a modified comparative negligence system. Under this new law, any party found to be greater than 50% at fault for their own injuries cannot recover any damages. Therefore, if you are less at fault than this threshold, you can still seek compensation for your damages.

However, the law also reduces any compensation awarded to you in proportion to your share of fault. So, for example, if a jury awards you $100,000 in compensation but finds you were 30 percent at fault for the auto accident, you would recover $70,000 instead of the full amount. 

This rule underscores the importance of having experienced legal representation, as a good rear-end accident attorney knows how to minimize your fault by gathering critical evidence and presenting it persuasively at trial or during settlement negotiations.

How Long Do I Have to File a Rear-End Accident Claim in Florida?

Under §95.11 of the Florida Statutes, the statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years under most circumstances. While certain circumstances can change this deadline, attempting to file after your deadline has passed will likely result in the dismissal of your case and the loss of your right to compensation. Protect yourself by speaking with an experienced car accident attorney right away.

It’s also worth noting that you have 14 days from the date of a rear-end accident to seek medical care. Failing to do so could cost you your right to benefits under your own PIP insurance policy.

What Financial Compensation Can You Recover After Being Rear-Ended in Florida?

If someone else is to blame for what happened, your rear-end collision settlement or award may cover your:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and reduced earning potential
• Repair or replacement costs of damaged property, including your vehicle
• Pain and suffering, or the physical and mental discomfort your injuries cause you
• Emotional distress, or the psychological effects of a traumatic experience
• Diminished quality of life

A rear-end car accident attorney can review your case and give you a more specific idea of how much you could be entitled to.

How Do I Get My St. Petersburg Crash Report?

If police responded to the rear-end accident, the report they took of the incident can be a valuable piece of evidence as you pursue your claim. The completion and distribution of these reports are governed by Section 316.066 of the Florida Statutes. If the accident happened on a major highway, the investigation was likely conducted by the Florida Highway Patrol, which has an online portal for requesting reports. Be aware that it may take up to 10 days for your report to become available.

If the accident happened on a local or municipal road, however, it was probably investigated by the City of St. Petersburg Police Department. The SPPD also has an online portal for requesting your report, which may take between 10 and 14 days to become available.

How Can a St. Petersburg Rear-End Collision Lawyer Help Your Claim?

Rear-end accident claims can be complicated, but the good news is that you do not have to pursue yours alone. While you rest and heal, an experienced St. Petersburg auto accident with Holliday Karatinos Law Firm can investigate the crash, identify all liable parties, calculate the full value of your claim, and negotiate aggressively for full and fair compensation. If the at-fault party’s insurer won’t make a reasonable offer, your personal injury lawyer can take them to trial – and we won’t charge you a fee unless we win. Contact us today for a free consultation with a St. Petersburg rear-end collision lawyer, and let us make your recovery our personal commitment.