At St. Petersburg Personal Injury Attorneys McQuaid & Douglas, we specialize in accident injury claims from South St. Pete. Because we live in St. Pete and our office is on Central Ave., we are proud to help our people in our community during their time of need.
We have represented countless people who have been injured in accidents in South St. Pete over the years. We know what these claims require and how to maximize the amount of money that our clients put in their pocket. We communicate with our clients and never take advantage of them. Just as important, if there is no chance of success on a case, we are up front about it. We have heard many complaints about other local law firms that will “sign up” a case and then keep their clients in the dark. You will never have that problem at our law firm.
What Is Different About Southside Accidents?
In order to properly handle southside claims, a lawyer needs to be familiar with the area, the people, and how the insurance process works. South St. Pete is a close knit community. But, there are a lot of accidents because of drivers that drive recklessly or without driver’s licenses. When people drive stolen cars or without a driver’s license, they are more inclined to flee the scene, or what is also called a hit and run. Unfortunately, in those situations, it is also more likely that there will not be insurance to cover the losses.
For most of my southside accident claims, my clients receive emergency medical treatment at either Bayfront or St. Anthony’s. For every person injured after an accident, it is essential that they receive medical treatment as soon as possible. That does not mean that you have to go to the hospital, but if your injuries require it, then I recommend going to St. Anthony’s unless a person is in critical condition. For those that do not need to go to the hospital, I recommend going to Bayfront Convenient Care or getting in with a doctor who specializes in accident injuries. I refer my clients to multiple treatment providers in St. Petersburg that provide excellent medical care and do not run up big medical bills.
Who Pays for Your Medical Bills After an Accident in South St. Pete?
The answer to this question depends on the type of case. If you were injured in a car or truck accident and had car insurance at the time, then your own PIP or no fault coverage will pay $10,000 for your medical bills and lost wages. If you did not have car insurance at the time of your accident and don’t live with a relative who did, then you will need to get those bills paid by the driver’s insurance who caused the accident.
If you were injured in a slip and fall or non-automobile accident, then your medical bills can be handled in two ways. If you have health insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare, then you should get treatment through those plans. If you do not have health insurance, then your bills will have to be repaid by the party or business that caused the accident. For example, if you slip and fall at a business, your bills will be part of the claim that we make against that business. Your bills will be repaid out of any settlement.
How Long Does It Take for a Southside Case to Settle and Get Money?
Most of our southside accident cases settle within 6 months. That means that we actually receive the money for our clients within that time frame. However, if there are serious injuries, the case can take longer. If our clients need injections or surgery, the case can be extended for a few months. If a lawsuit is required, then the case can be delayed much longer. But, for purposes of answering this question, most southside accident cases settle within the 6 month time frame.
How Much Do Lawyers Charge for Southside Cases?
At St. Petersburg Personal Injury Attorneys McQuaid & Douglas, we charge on a contingency basis. That means that you do not have to put any money down or make payments to us. We get paid on a percentage of the money that we recover for you. If we don’t recover money, you don’t owe us anything. This arrangement makes it no risk to hire us to investigate and set up a claim for you. This arrangement is how you can hire the best personal injury lawyers in town in order to fight the big insurance companies. We strive to level the playing field for you.
If I Don’t Have Transportation, How Do I Meet With a Lawyer and Get to My Doctor’s Appointments?
Often our clients do not have a car or lost the use of their car in the accident. In these situations, we do not let that stand in our way. If you cannot get in the office to meet with us, we will come to you. That means we can meet you at your home, at the hospital, at a coffee shop, or wherever you feel comfortable.
Also, getting to your appointments is not a problem. Most of the medical providers that we work with will send you a car (usually Uber or Lyft) to pick you up and bring you home. As long as you let us know about the transportation issues, we will take care of them. And, the best part is that you do not need to pay any money out of pocket to receive these services.
Contact a Southside Accident Attorney
If you want to hire a law firm that you can trust to do the right thing, then please call us for a free consultation. We have represented your friends, neighbors, and family members over the years. We are the law firm that people come to when they want to be treated with respect. We have put so much money in the pockets of people in South St. Pete that it is impossible to count. If you or a loved one has been injured on the southside and wants to discuss the case, please contact us for a free consultation.
