St. Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyer
Experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorneys fighting for justice and compensation after accidents caused by someone else’s negligence
When you or a loved one suffers injuries in an accident, the aftermath can be overwhelming—both emotionally and financially. In Florida, personal injury laws are designed to help victims recover compensation for their losses, but navigating the legal system can be daunting. The process is often complex, involving intricate laws, strict deadlines, and procedural hurdles. Without the guidance of an experienced attorney, you risk not receiving the full compensation you’re entitled to.
At Palmer Lopez, our experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorneys are here to make sure that doesn’t happen. Our dedicated legal team is committed to fighting for your rights and securing the compensation you deserve. Whether negotiating with insurance companies or building a strong case to present in court, we’ll handle every aspect of your claim so you can focus on healing.
Injured by someone’s negligence in St. Petersburg?
Your focus should be on healing—let us handle the rest.
Schedule a free consultation today to explore your legal options and maximize your compensation.
Case Results
Client reviews and testimonials
At Palmer Lopez, we take pride in the trust our clients place in us and the results we achieve on their behalf.
My experience with Palmer Lopez has been the best client/lawyer relationship possible. From our first discussions until the resolution of our action, everything was of the highest standard. Mr. Lopez and his staff guided me through the details of our action, always with courtesy and patience, keeping me informed at every juncture. Every obstacle or question was dealt with in a timely fashion, and all inquiries resolved. When a legal matter arises in my life, I will consult with Palmer Lopez before taking any action.
Brad K.
I can’t express enough how grateful I am for Joey Lopez and his outstanding work as my personal injury lawyer. From our first consultation, Joey exhibited exceptional professionalism, dedication, and genuine care for my well-being. He meticulously explained every step of the process, ensuring I felt informed and confident throughout my case. Joey’s expertise and relentless commitment resulted in a favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. If you need a personal injury lawyer in Florida who truly puts clients first and delivers remarkable results, look no further than Joey Lopez. Highly recommended!
Daniel B.
Attorney Joe Lopez has been amazing for me! After experiencing life threatening, disfiguring complications in surgery, Mr. Lopez took on my case with no hesitation. Throughout the entire process, he and his staff have stayed in consistent communication with me. They have provided updates on the status of the case, spoken with me after depositions and negotiations and have just been right beside me through the process. He was insistent on getting me the award that I deserved. I would certainly recommend him to anyone in need of a lawyer and advocate!
-Sheron W.
Comprehensive legal support tailored to your unique case
At Palmer Lopez, we specialize in a wide range of personal injury cases, from car accidents to medical malpractice, ensuring you get the dedicated representation you need after an injury caused by someone else’s negligence.
Medical malpractice
Medical malpractice happens when healthcare professionals, such as doctors, surgeons, or nurses, fail to meet the accepted standard of care, leading to critical mistakes like diagnostic errors or medication errors, causing serious and often long-lasting harm. Victims who placed their faith in these professionals deserve compensation for the medical expenses, lost wages, and the physical and emotional pain they suffer as a result of this negligence.
Car accidents
Car accidents can occur due to various forms of negligence, including distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence, often leading to serious injuries like broken bones, head injuries, and spinal cord damage. Victims of these accidents may face long-term physical pain, medical bills, and lost wages and deserve compensation for the hardships caused by another driver’s reckless behavior.
Truck accidents
Truck accidents are especially dangerous due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles, often resulting in severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, and even fatalities. These accidents can be caused by factors such as driver fatigue, improper loading, or mechanical failures, and they may involve more than one liable party, including the truck driver, the trucking company, or maintenance crews. Victims deserve compensation for the life-altering injuries and losses they face as a result of these devastating accidents.
Motorcycle accidents
Because motorcycle riders lack the protection of a vehicle, riders are particularly susceptible to severe injuries in an accident, such as fractures, road rash, permanent spinal cord damage, and traumatic brain injuries. These accidents are frequently caused by negligent drivers who fail to see motorcyclists or fail to yield the right of way. Victims of motorcycle accidents may face long-term recovery, medical bills, and loss of income, and they deserve compensation for the pain, suffering, and financial burdens caused by another driver’s carelessness.
Slip and fall
Slip and fall accidents happen when someone is injured due to dangerous conditions like wet floors, uneven surfaces, loose carpeting, or poor lighting. These accidents can occur in places such as grocery stores, restaurants, apartment complexes, hotels, parking lots, office buildings, or sidewalks, often leading to serious injuries like broken bones, head trauma, or back injuries. Property owners, managers, landlords, business operators, and even government entities can be held liable if they failed to properly maintain their premises or warn about potential hazards.
Wrongful death
Wrongful death occurs when someone loses their life due to the negligence or wrongful actions of another party, whether in cases of vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, or dangerous conditions on a property. These tragic losses often leave families devastated, both emotionally and financially, as they face funeral expenses, lost income, and the emotional pain of losing a loved one. Surviving family members have the right to pursue compensation from the responsible parties to help ease the financial burden and hold those accountable for their actions.
FAQs about Florida personal injury claims
How does a personal injury lawsuit work in Florida?
For a successful personal injury lawsuit in Florida, you must be able to prove that another party was negligent, meaning they failed to act with reasonable care, and their actions (or inactions) directly caused your injury. This could involve anything from reckless driving to a failure to maintain safe conditions on a property.
Here’s how the personal injury lawsuit process typically works in Florida:
- Filing a claim. The process begins by filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company, where you seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. The goal is often to settle the matter without going to court.
- Investigation. An investigation into the accident follows, during which both sides gather evidence such as medical records, police reports, and witness statements to determine the extent of negligence and damages. Florida uses a modified comparative negligence system in which fault can be split amongst multiple parties, and this can impact how much compensation the injured party (plaintiff) ultimately receives.
- Negotiation. Once the insurance company evaluates the evidence, they may offer a settlement. Negotiations take place to ensure the settlement is fair and covers all applicable economic and non-economic damages, including medical bills and future medical costs, past and future lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
- Filing a lawsuit. If an acceptable settlement cannot be reached, the next step is to file a formal lawsuit in court.
- Discovery. Next, both sides engage in the discovery process, exchanging evidence and conducting depositions to build their cases. This stage helps both parties understand the facts and strength of their case.
- Mediation. Before going to trial, the court may require mediation, where a neutral mediator attempts to help both parties settle the case without the need for a trial.
- Trial. If the case does not settle, it proceeds to trial. Both sides present their evidence and arguments, and a judge or jury will decide if the defendant is liable for the injuries and how much compensation the plaintiff should receive.
While this process can seem overwhelming, our goal is to guide you every step of the way, ensuring you understand your rights and options at each stage. At Palmer Lopez, we handle the legal complexities so you can focus on your recovery, fighting tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
Can you sue in a no-fault accident in Florida?
Yes, you can sue in a no-fault accident in Florida, but only under certain circumstances. Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system for car accidents, meaning that after most car accidents, each driver’s insurance company covers their own medical expenses and lost wages through personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, regardless of who caused the accident.
However, PIP coverage is limited and only covers medical expenses and lost wages up to a certain amount.
You can sue the at-fault driver outside of the no-fault system if your injuries meet Florida’s “serious injury” threshold, which includes the following:
- 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
If your injury qualifies as a serious injury under Florida law, you can file a lawsuit to seek compensation for damages beyond what PIP covers, such as pain and suffering, additional medical bills and lost income, and other non-economic damages. At Palmer Lopez, we can help determine your eligibility to file a personal injury claim and guide you through the process of pursuing compensation if appropriate.
How much can you sue for pain and suffering in Florida?
In Florida, there is no limit to the amount you can sue for when it comes to non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, in personal injury or medical malpractice cases. The Florida Supreme Court ruled in 2017 that placing a cap on these damages was unconstitutional, so injured parties are now able to seek full compensation for their pain and suffering without any restrictions.
What sets us apart
Personalized attention
We believe that every case is unique and requires a tailored approach. From the moment you contact us, we take the time to fully understand your situation, answer your questions, and craft a strategy that best serves your specific needs. You’re not just another case to us—you’re our priority.
Direct attorney access
We understand that maintaining open and consistent communication with our clients is crucial. That’s why when you work with us, you’ll have direct access to your attorney, not just support staff. We ensure you can reach your lawyer personally, often providing a direct line or cell number, so you receive timely responses and never feel out of the loop. Your case matters to us, and we’re here to provide the guidance and answers you need, whenever you need them.
Comprehensive legal knowledge
Our team brings extensive experience and deep knowledge in personal injury and medical malpractice law. We stay on top of the latest legal developments to ensure we provide cutting-edge representation, navigating even the most complex cases with confidence and skill.
Proven results
Our case results speak for themselves. We’ve successfully secured substantial compensation for our clients, helping them rebuild their lives after serious injuries. With a strong history of winning complex cases, you can trust us to fight relentlessly for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Looking for an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorney you can trust to help with your claim?
At Palmer Lopez, we’re not a high-volume firm rushing through cases for quick resolutions. Each case we take is a commitment, and we dedicate our time to fully understand the unique details of your situation.
With a strong history of securing substantial verdicts and settlements, we’ve helped many clients receive compensation that ensures lifelong care and support.
When you choose Palmer Lopez, you’re not just hiring an attorney—you’re gaining a trusted advocate who will stand by your side throughout the entire process. This personalized, results-driven approach is what sets us apart and has earned us the trust and recommendations of our clients.
Want to learn more about how Palmer Lopez can help with your personal injury claim?
Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation.
