Injured In A Car Accident In St. Petersburg, Florida? John R. Mathias Is The Car Accident Lawyer To Choose.

Last updated on September 16, 2025

If you were injured in an auto accident in the St. Petersburg-Tampa area, you may be coping with serious medical issues as well as overwhelming financial concerns. I am St. Petersburg car accident lawyer John R. Mathias, and I understand what you are going through. I have helped my clients obtain millions of dollars in compensation for car accident injuries.

I have more than 30 years of experience in personal injury law, and I have a deep sense of dedication to each of my clients. I established my Florida personal injury law firm because I genuinely want to help my clients get the financial compensation they deserve.

For a free consultation, please call The Law Offices of John R. Mathias, P.A., at 727-362-2122 or contact me by email. My law office is in St. Petersburg, and I represent clients throughout South Florida.

Experienced Vehicle Damage And Car Accident Lawyer

You have probably never been in a car accident before. We can help with getting your car fixed properly. We can also assist with getting you a rental car while your car is being repaired. If it is wrecked beyond repair, we can help make sure you get compensation for the fair value of your car. Getting your car damage evaluated is just the first step. We do this free of charge.

Learn more about the outstanding service we provide. Please see our clients’ testimonials.

Where And How Did The Accident Happen? I’m Here To Help You Launch Your Auto Accident Claim.

Every day, serious auto accidents happen throughout St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area. Whether you’re traveling on the Courtney Campbell Causeway, I-275 or a local city street near your home, another driver can make a mistake or act negligently and cause a devastating car accident. Were you injured in this way? Let me evaluate your case.

If we can prove that another person acted in a negligent or reckless manner and caused your auto accident, I can help you make a claim for compensation. My goal is to help you recover the maximum available compensation for your pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, mental anguish, property damage and more.

See my Car Accident FAQ to learn more about the process and your options.

When To Hire A Florida Car Accident Lawyer

As a general guideline, it’s best to contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible after suffering injuries in a car accident. The statute of limitations sets a specific timeline for when personal injury cases can be filed, and the sooner you contact me, the sooner I can start building a strong case for you.

Other important things to do:

• Get medical attention as soon as possible after a crash.
• Contact law enforcement immediately after a crash.
• Contact your insurance company after contacting us.
• Do not speak with the other driver’s insurance company.
• Do not accept the insurance company’s initial settlement offer before you speak with us. Some insurance companies may tell you the offer is just for “medical bills” but if you sign something, you could be settling your entire claim. We can assess the full value of your case and negotiate for the maximum available compensation.

See our Florida Personal Injury FAQ to learn more.

How To Choose Your Auto Accident Attorney

If you were injured in a car accident in Florida, I encourage you to select your lawyer carefully.

• Look for an attorney with extensive experience. I have been board-certified by The Florida Bar in the area of civil trial law for over 20 years. I have also been certified by the Supreme Court of Florida as a civil court mediator and a court-appointed mediator.
• Look for an attorney who has a thorough understanding of personal injury law. I have been practicing for over 30 years, and I began my legal career defending insurance companies, including State Farm, Allstate and Nationwide, from arson, fraud and injury claims. Through my association with Nationwide Insurance Company, I obtained negotiation training through the Pepperdine School of Law in California. I now use what I learned to fight insurers on behalf of my injured clients.
• Look for an attorney who stays professionally involved. I am a member of the Florida Justice Association, the American Association for Justice, The Florida Bar, the Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association and the St. Petersburg Bar Association. I am a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. An attorney must be invited to join this organization of plaintiff attorneys, insurance defense attorneys, and Judges only after demonstrating an exemplary professionalism in the practice of law, extensive trial experience, and respected by his or her peers.
• Look for an attorney who is highly rated. My staff and I are committed to excellence. I am AV Preeminent* peer-review rated through Martindale-Hubbell, a highly respected attorney ranking service.

How A Car Accident Case Unfolds In St. Petersburg, Florida: A Realistic Scenario

As a St. Petersburg car accident attorney, I have seen all types of injury cases. Many resolve as expected, while others require additional legal finesse. If you have experienced a vehicle accident with injuries, here is how it might unfold:

One Thursday morning, “Maria” reaches out to me. She is a 42-year-old dental hygienist just released from Bayfront Health following a serious car accident. She was driving eastbound on Central Avenue when another driver ran a red light and struck her vehicle on the passenger side. The impact spun her car into a utility pole, leaving her with a fractured wrist, whiplash and persistent lower back pain.

Maria was overwhelmed. Her car was totaled, her medical bills were already piling up and she could not return to work. During our free consultation, I explained how St. Petersburg car accident cases typically unfold and what she could expect.

I began work on her case by reviewing the police report and securing surveillance footage from a nearby business. I also contacted people who witnessed the accident, gathered Maria’s medical records and consulted with her physicians so that I understood the potential long-term impact of her injuries. I also counseled her not to speak with the other driver’s insurance company until I could represent her interests directly. I handled any contact with the insurance company on her behalf from that point forward.

All of these steps are typical of the structured process I use that is designed to protect my clients and maximize their recovery. That process typically involves:

• An initial consultation and case evaluation
• Thorough evidence collection and liability assessment
• Medical documentation and expert reviews
• Negotiation with the involved insurance carriers

If these initial steps do not yield a fair accident and injury settlement, other steps I can handle include:

• Filing a formal claim if necessary
• Preparing for a settlement or trial proceedings

This approach allowed me to build a strong foundation for Maria’s claim. I kept her informed at every step, answered her questions and made sure she fully understood her rights under Florida law. When the insurance company made an initial offer that did not reflect the full scope of her injuries and losses, I informed her that I felt that her claim had more value. Based on that, Maria rejected the offer and I prepared to file suit on her behalf.

Before we reached trial, the insurer came back with a revised settlement offer that covered Maria’s medical expenses, reimbursed her for accident-related lost wages, and provided fair compensation for her pain and suffering. Maria was relieved and grateful. She accepted the revised offer and began rebuilding her life with financial stability.

Maria’s case is a clear example of how a well-managed St. Petersburg car accident case can lead to meaningful results. It also shows why early intervention by a Florida car accident lawyer is essential. The sooner I am involved, the sooner an insurer is likely to take a claim seriously and negotiate fairly.

If you have been injured in a car accident in St. Petersburg, I encourage you to reach out for guidance. Florida’s statute of limitations restricts how long you have to file a claim and waiting too long can jeopardize your recovery. Whether your injuries are minor or life-altering, I treat every case with the same level of care and commitment.

At The Law Offices of John R. Mathias, P.A., I offer free consultations and represent the injured throughout South Florida. If you are facing the aftermath of a crash, let me help you navigate the legal process and pursue the compensation you deserve. I believe every St. Petersburg car accident deserves focused attention and strategic legal action.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents In Florida

Let me provide answers to your most urgent questions such as those below.

How soon should you file an injury claim after a crash?

According to the Florida Statutes section 95.11(3)(a), the statute of limitations for car accidents is two years. This means you have two years to file your claim, although there are some exceptions.

Does your law practice include representation of people with soft-tissue injuries?

Yes. A great many car accidents result in one or more soft-tissue injuries affecting the tendons, ligaments and muscles. These injuries are unique and often get worse over a few days or even weeks after the injury occurs. Many clients don’t fully recognize their injuries at the scene of the crash. Adrenaline resulting from the accident can mask the pain. Because they don’t have obvious injuries like a broken bone, people sometimes assume it isn’t necessary to go to the Emergency Room. But the next day, some clients have described their pain as “like being hit by a 2×4 in the neck.” These “soft tissue injuries” are often the most problematic of all.

What are some common causes of car accidents?

The following acts of negligence cause or contribute to many auto accidents:

• Talking or texting on a cellphone
• Running a red or yellow light
• Making an illegal turn or failure to yield
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

When I investigate car accidents, I often find other contributing factors, as well, such as bad road conditions and defective seat belts. The sooner I start my investigation, the more chances I will have to discover all causes and all sources of liability.

What are the most common car accident injuries?

If you’ve been in an auto accident, you may have suffered one or more of these common injuries:

• Cuts, scrapes and bruises
• Whiplash
• Back injuries
• Head injuries
• Spinal injuries resulting in paralysis
• Broken or fractured bones
• Spinal disks can become herniated, or “slipped disks” and touch a nerve causing neck pain, low back pain, or pain which travels down the arms and/or legs

If I represent you, I will consult closely with your medical providers to get a full understanding of your prognosis for recovery.

Why is it important to get legal advice before agreeing to a settlement from an insurer?

Be careful: An insurance company may ask you to sign a compensation agreement before talking to an attorney. Then, if your injuries get worse than you initially believed, you will not likely be able to recover any additional compensation.

If you have suffered injuries because of the actions of a negligent driver, talk to me, a knowledgeable car accident attorney in St. Petersburg. Initial consultations are free, and I can represent you on a contingency-fee basis. That means I do not collect an attorney fee unless I win compensation for you.

I Am A Respected Auto Accident Lawyer You Can Trust

I look forward to explaining what my law firm has to offer after you have been injured in a car accident. I have navigated countless car accident claims toward proper compensation for the injured.

Along with having decades of experience in this arena, I am AV Preeminent* peer-review rated through Martindale-Hubbell. This is a distinction reserved for attorneys who meet the highest standards of acumen and ethics.

Contact The Law Offices of John R. Mathias, P.A. For A Free Consultation

I recommend that you do not discuss your accident and injuries with other people before you get legal advice. Contact me, an experienced and dedicated car accident lawyer in Pinellas County.

You can reach me by calling 727-362-2122 or sending an email inquiry. Remember, initial consultations are free.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.