St. Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyer

The hours and days after an accident are chaotic. You’re in pain, possibly out of work, and unsure what you’re supposed to do next. But while you’re trying to heal, the insurance company is already working behind the scenes—to protect their bottom line, not yours.

Here’s what you need to do within the first 24 to 48 hours to protect yourself and your claim:

• Get medical care—even if you “feel fine.” Some injuries take time to show up, and gaps in treatment give the insurer an excuse to minimize your case.
• Document everything. Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and property damage. Get names and contact info for witnesses.
• Request a copy of the police report (for car accidents or any incident that involves law enforcement).
• Preserve evidence. Keep damaged clothing, receipts, or any correspondence related to the incident.

• Don’t give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster without legal advice. They’re trained to twist your words or downplay your pain.
• Don’t accept an early offer. It’s almost always less than what your case is worth—especially before your full medical picture is clear.
• Don’t wait to “see how it goes.” Waiting weakens your case and gives the insurer time to build theirs.

If you’ve never been through the personal injury process before, it’s easy to feel like the deck is stacked against you. The insurance adjuster acts like they’re doing you a favor. They might say things like “We just need a few details,” or “It’s a simple process.”

It’s not simple.

And if you don’t know how the system really works, it’s easy to make the kind of mistakes that cost you thousands—or shut down your case entirely.

In legal terms, negligence means someone failed to act with reasonable care—and that failure caused you harm. It could be a driver running a red light, a store owner ignoring a safety hazard, or a property manager neglecting repairs.

The law doesn’t expect people to be perfect. But it does expect them to act responsibly—and when they don’t, they can be held legally accountable.

Florida follows a modified comparative fault rule. That means if you’re found partially at fault, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of blame. And if you’re more than 50% at fault, you may not be able to recover anything at all.

This is why insurance companies work so hard to shift blame back onto the victim. It’s not just about avoiding responsibility—it’s about reducing what they owe.

The value of your case depends on the extent of your injuries, your financial losses, and how your life has changed since the accident. Depending on the case, compensation may include:

• Medical expenses, including future treatment
• Lost income or reduced ability to work
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Loss of enjoyment of life or mobility

We don’t make wild promises. But we do fight to make sure nothing is left off the table—especially when the insurance company wants to lowball your future.

Some cases settle in a few months. Others take longer—especially if liability is disputed or injuries are still being treated. But no matter the timeline, you’ll always know where things stand.

At Bernstein Law, you won’t be left in the dark. You’ll get honest updates, realistic expectations, and a strategy designed around your recovery—not just a fast payout.

At Bernstein Law, we don’t just handle “accident claims”—we help people rebuild their lives after serious, preventable injuries.

Whether you were hurt on a busy downtown street, inside a rideshare vehicle, or because someone failed to keep their property safe, we’re ready to help you take legal action.

We represent clients across Pinellas County in cases involving:

Rear-end collisions, t-bones, distracted drivers, uninsured motorists—we’ve seen it all. Car accidents are the most common type of personal injury claim, but no two cases are the same.

Learn more about how we handle car accident cases.

Injured while riding in or hit by a rideshare vehicle? These cases involve overlapping insurance policies, confusing liability questions, and big-name platforms that don’t like paying out.

Visit our Rideshare Accident Lawyer page to understand your rights.

Businesses and property owners have a duty to keep their premises safe. If you slipped on a wet floor, tripped over a hazard, or were hurt due to poor maintenance, you may be entitled to compensation.

See how Bernstein Law handles slip and fall cases in St. Petersburg. 

Motorcycle crashes often result in catastrophic injuries—and insurance companies know it. That’s why they often fight even harder to minimize payouts when a motorcyclist is hurt.

At Bernstein Law, we represent riders across St. Petersburg and Pinellas County who’ve been seriously injured by negligent drivers. We understand the unique risks motorcyclists face on Florida roads, and we know how to build a case that pushes back against the biases riders often encounter in court.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, Bernstein Law is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Learn more about how we handle Motorcycle Accident cases.

Bicyclists have just as much right to the road as cars and trucks—but when accidents happen, they often suffer devastating injuries.

Bernstein Law helps injured cyclists hold negligent drivers, property owners, and insurance companies accountable. Whether you were hit while riding in a bike lane, struck at an intersection, or forced off the road by unsafe conditions, we’ll work to recover the damages you need to move forward.

We know how serious bicycle accident cases can be, and we treat them with the urgency and respect they deserve.

Learn more about Bicycle Accident claims.

If you’ve been hurt on the job in Florida, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits—but getting those benefits isn’t always straightforward.

At Bernstein Law, we help injured workers navigate the complex workers’ comp system. Whether your claim was denied, delayed, or undervalued, we’re ready to step in and fight for the medical care, wage replacement, and support you deserve.

Don’t let your employer’s insurance company control the outcome. If you’re struggling with a workers’ compensation claim, Bernstein Law can help you protect your rights.

Learn more about how Bernstein Law handles Workers’ Compensation cases in St. Petersburg.

• We investigate – We gather police reports, witness statements, medical records, photos, and any surveillance footage. The goal is to build a strong foundation before any negotiations begin.
• We identify liability – Every case starts with a clear analysis of who was at fault and how we’ll prove it. In some cases, there may be multiple responsible parties (e.g., drivers, businesses, contractors).
• We deal with the insurance companies – You won’t have to return calls from adjusters or fight about lowball offers. We take over communications and protect you from pressure tactics.
• We negotiate—or litigate – Most cases settle without a trial, but we prepare every case as if it will go to court. That preparation gives us leverage—and gives you options.
• You decide when to settle – We’ll present every offer, explain what it means for your future, and give you real advice—not sales pressure.

You’ll never feel rushed. You’ll never be left in the dark. And you’ll never have to chase us for answers.

At Bernstein Law, we walk beside you—start to finish.

Insurance companies want to make your claim about what you’ve already spent—not what you’ve lost. They’ll focus on bills and receipts, ignoring your pain, your future medical needs, and how this injury has changed your life.

At Bernstein Law, we don’t let them get away with that.

• We negotiate medical bill reductions – You shouldn’t walk away with less than you need just because medical providers and insurers want their cut. We often work with providers to lower balances, so more of your settlement stays with you.
• We identify all liable parties – Some injury claims involve multiple insurance policies, vehicle owners, corporate defendants, or third-party contractors. We don’t stop at the obvious—we dig deeper to uncover every path to compensation.
• We calculate future losses – If your injuries affect your long-term health or ability to work, we bring in medical and financial experts to project future costs. You only get one shot at settlement—we make sure it counts.
• We push back on bad offers – Derek Bernstein has successfully fought for clients who were told “this is the best you’ll get.” That’s rarely true. And we don’t back down just because the insurer is hoping you’ll give up.

When you’ve been injured, getting legal help should make your life easier—not more frustrating. But many injury victims come to Bernstein Law after finding out that bigger firms don’t always mean better communication.

They’ve gone weeks without updates. They’ve talked to three different case managers who don’t remember the details. They’re tired of being treated like a number.

That’s when they call Bernstein Law.

Answer: Most personal injury claims in Florida must be filed within two years of the accident, following recent changes in state law. If you miss this deadline, you may lose the right to recover compensation entirely.

Answer: Every case is different. Factors that influence case value include the seriousness of your injuries, the cost of medical care, lost income, future limitations, and emotional suffering. Bernstein Law thoroughly evaluates each of these elements to pursue full and fair compensation.

Answer: Not necessarily. Most personal injury claims settle outside of court. However, if the insurance company refuses to negotiate fairly, Bernstein Law is prepared to take your case to trial and present a strong case on your behalf.

Answer: There’s no upfront cost to hire Bernstein Law. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay if we win. Your consultation is free, and there’s no obligation to move forward unless you choose to.

If you’ve been injured and the insurance company is calling the shots, it’s time to take back control.

You don’t have to figure out the legal system alone. You don’t have to guess whether the settlement you’ve been offered is fair. And you don’t have to keep waiting for someone to take your case seriously.

At Bernstein Law, we step in when things start falling apart—and we help clients rebuild what matters. Your case deserves personal attention. Your recovery deserves real compensation.

Call Bernstein Law at 727-209-7957 for a free consultation with a St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer who actually listens. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and help you move forward.