How Fault Is Determined in a St. Pete Car Accident Case
Car accidents in St. Petersburg can happen in an instant, leaving victims to face injuries, vehicle damage, and the stress of determining who was at fault. Florida follows a “comparative negligence” system, which means that fault isn’t always all-or-nothing, each party’s role in causing the accident matters. Understanding how fault is determined in a St. Pete car accident case can help protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Evidence Used to Prove Fault in a St. Pete Car Accident
Determining fault begins with evidence. After a crash, law enforcement will typically respond and create an accident report, which often includes details about contributing factors such as speeding, distracted driving, or running a red light. However, this report is only one piece of the puzzle.
Attorneys and insurance adjusters also gather additional evidence, including:
- Witness statements about how the collision occurred
- Traffic camera or dashcam footage showing the moments before and during the impact
- Photos of the accident scene and vehicle damage
- Expert accident reconstruction reports analyzing vehicle positions and impact points
An experienced car accident lawyer will use this information to establish who was negligent and how that negligence directly led to your injuries or losses.
Comparative Negligence in Car Accident Cases
Florida’s comparative negligence rule means that more than one driver can share responsibility for an accident. If you’re found partially at fault, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if a driver ran a stop sign but you were speeding at the time of the collision, you could be assigned part of the blame. If your total damages were $100,000 but you were found 20% at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $80,000.
This makes it crucial to have a skilled St. Pete car accident attorney who can challenge unfair fault assessments and ensure that your percentage of responsibility accurately reflects the facts of the case.
How a St. Pete Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Insurance companies often try to shift blame to reduce what they must pay. A knowledgeable lawyer can step in to protect your rights by conducting a detailed investigation, collecting supporting evidence, and negotiating aggressively on your behalf. If needed, your attorney can take your case to court to fight for full and fair compensation.
Call Tragos Law for Experienced Representation in St. Pete
If you’ve been injured in a St. Pete car accident, don’t face the insurance companies alone. The experienced attorneys at Tragos Law understand how fault is determined and what it takes to build a strong compensation case. Call today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and let our team help you secure the justice and recovery you deserve.