Accidents that happen because of someone else’s negligence can be a time of chaos and raised tempers. Injuries and emotions all bubble together and can often leave you stressed and feeling lost and alone.
Luckily, Florida law is clear. You have every right to seek compensation for any losses you have had to deal with as a result of someone else’s negligence. Unfortunately, the complexity surrounding personal injury cases can make it difficult to know where to begin.
You may not be in the best headspace to navigate Florida state law when you are already trying to heal from your injuries. This can lead many victims to feel like they are unsure of what their options are in regard to legal action.
This is where Sarasota personal injury lawyers, like those at The Law Place, come into play. Personal injury lawyers play an integral part in guiding and advising victims on what they can and cannot claim after being injured. They will do the hard work, file the paperwork, and speak to the other parties involved, leaving you to focus on your recovery while they deal with your personal injury lawsuit.
What Types Of Injuries Can Lead To A Lawsuit In Sarasota, Florida?
Sarasota personal injury attorneys often deal with accident victims who have been injured in the following ways:
- Sarasota truck accident lawyer – Legal support for victims of truck accidents in Sarasota.
- Sarasota car accident lawyer – Assistance with car accident injury claims in Sarasota.
- Sarasota traumatic brain injury lawyer – Representation for traumatic brain injury cases in Sarasota.
- Sarasota back injury lawyer – Legal help for those suffering from back injuries due to accidents.
- Sarasota spinal cord injury lawyer – Support for spinal cord injury victims seeking compensation.
- Sarasota dog bite lawyer – Advocacy for individuals injured by dog bites in Sarasota.
- Sarasota wrongful death lawyer – Compassionate legal assistance for wrongful death cases in Sarasota.
There are lots of other injuries we haven’t mentioned here. To put it simply, if your injury has caused you to lose earnings, changed your quality of life, or resulted in long-term mental or physical injuries, you are entitled to seek compensation. If you are unsure, then contact a personal injury attorney at our law firm for a free consultation.
What Damages Will A Personal Injury Attorney Help Me Claim in Sarasota, FL?
Luckily, in the majority of accidents, both parties are able to walk away relatively unharmed. Many accidents, however, result in one party’s life being drastically changed forever. This can happen due to life-changing injuries or mental trauma.
When these accidents have happened as a result of somebody’s negligence in Sarasota, a personal injury attorney can help you to claim the following damages:
Medical Expenses
Even when victims have a good level of medical health insurance, they can still end up having to pay thousands of dollars in expenses and medical bills. Hospital stays, ambulance call-outs, surgeries, and medication can add up extremely quickly. It can be even worse when an injury requires long-term medication or physical therapy.
Lost Wages
If a victim’s injuries mean they can no longer work in the same capacity they could before, for example, spending long periods in hospital or being unable to do their physical labor job, this will result in the continued loss of wages. These sums can be extremely high in cases where the victim has been left with a lifelong disability, which means they will never be able to work in the same capacity again.
Non-Economic Losses
Not every loss can be calculated using cold hard numbers. Compensation for pain and suffering and emotional distress, as well as the loss of enjoyment of life, are all intangible losses that victims have a right to be compensated for.
Punitive Damages
On top of this, in Sarasota, in accordance with Florida Statute 768.72, you might be eligible for something called punitive damages. These are awarded by the court and are pretty rare. In order to have a good chance of claiming for them, it is a good idea to speak to personal injury lawyers at The Law Place.
To successfully claim punitive damages, your attorneys in Sarasota, FL, will look to prove that one of the following applies:
- Purposeful Misconduct – If another party has injured you with intent, the court could award punitive damages.
- Gross Negligence – In rare cases where the defendant’s accidents are seen as being that terrible that they displayed a blatant disregard for human life, the court might also award punitive damages.
What Is The Compensation Process In Sarasota, Florida?
In Sarasota, FL, an experienced personal injury lawyer will advise you on what the best path is for your individual case. Every case will be different, but this is the basic path that most cases follow.
Evaluation
During this stage, you will most likely ring up a reputable Sarasota personal injury lawyer for a free consultation. They will ask you some quick questions and evaluate your chances of recovering damages.
Investigation
If you agree to representation, your personal injury lawyer will then begin to investigate the accident. They will speak to witnesses and look at the answers you have given them. They might decide to get in touch with independent specialists who can reconstruct the accident.
Calculate A Fair Compensation Value
To recover damages, you will need to show evidence of your losses. Your Sarasota personal injury lawyer will help you obtain this evidence. They also might contact experts who can calculate your future losses.
Insurance Claims
If your Sarasota personal injury claim happened in Sarasota and is due to a motoring accident, you are bound by Florida’s PIP Laws. In accordance with Florida Statute 627.736, you need to begin by filing an insurance claim with your own insurance company. Your Sarasota personal injury lawyer will do all of this for you, liaising with the insurance company and completing all the paperwork.
Filing A Lawsuit
If the insurance company undervalues your claims or refuses them entirely, your Sarasota personal injury lawyer will now begin the process of filing a lawsuit. They will then advocate for you and build your case. If you do not receive a settlement value you are happy with, they will use this case to fight in court.
Why You Might Need a Personal Injury Lawyer
There is a huge variety of reasons why people contact a Sarasota personal injury lawyer for representation. Here are some of the most common causes of personal injuries.
Car Accidents
According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV), over 400,000 road accidents occur in Florida every year, resulting in over 255,000 injuries and 3,000 fatalities. Victims and their families often turned to a skilled Sarasota car accident lawyer to recover compensation for injuries caused by a car accident.
Pedestrian Accidents
Sarasota, like the rest of Florida, still remains one of the most dangerous places to be a pedestrian in the country. The Sarasota country sheriff’s office and the Sarasota Police department have sought grants to raise the safety levels across the county, but pedestrian accidents are still a big problem.
Bike Accidents
Thanks to the great infrastructure found in Sarasota, it is a great place to be a cyclist. However, 200 cyclists are injured every year in Sarasota. When this happens due to the negligence of someone else, many riders turn to a Sarasota personal injury lawyer for help.
Medical Malpractice
Every year a surprising number of medical malpractice personal injury claims happen due to the negligence of doctors in Sarasota county.
Workplace Injuries
When people receive a personal injury at work in Sarasota state, they regularly turn to a reputable personal injury lawyer to fight their case.
Sarasota Personal Injury Lawyer FAQ
How Long do Florida Residents Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Florida?
Florida Statute 95.11, known as the ‘Statute of Limitations’, sets a limit on how long you have to make a claim after an accident.
If your personal injury case is founded on negligence, then you will have four years to make a claim. Most cases involving car accidents, boating accidents, construction accidents, and dog bites are all founded on negligence. However, if your case involves medical negligence or wrongful death, then you will have just two years to make a claim.
Can My Family Recover the Losses That My Injuries Have Caused Them?
If you have been in a serious accident, then it is likely that your family will have suffered losses as well. They may have taken time off work to care for you or had to seek help for jobs that you would have covered, such as gardening or child care.
Your spouse may be able to cover these losses in a claim for loss of consortium, which is a legal term for the support lost when one party in a married couple suffers an injury. Any children or dependents may also be able to recover damages for loss of support and services.
This is especially important for people who suffer spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries or any other form of injury that has life-long implications.
Do I Need a Florida Attorney to Make a Claim After a Car Accident?
While it is possible to file a personal injury claim with your car insurance after a car accident, we always recommend people seek advice from experienced legal professionals.
Law surrounding motor vehicle accidents is complex, and an attorney will ensure that your rights are protected. They will handle everything so that you can focus on your recovery, and they will fight tirelessly to secure a fair settlement.
What Will It Cost Me to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Sarasota?
At The Law Place, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. That means that we do not receive anything unless your case is successful. If it is, we will take a percentage that we will agree with you when you sign up for representation. We promise no hidden fees and no risk representation.
Call The Law Place Today in Sarasota, FL!
When you have been injured, and it wasn’t your fault, it can feel like the whole world is against you. At The Law Place, each and every personal injury lawyer is skilled and knowledgeable in Florida personal injury law. We have a wealth of experience, having dealt with cases like yours for over 75 years collectively.
We offer a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney on a no-strings-attached basis and are contactable 24 hours a day. Don’t let somebody else’s mistake ruin your life.
Office Information
Address Sarasota Law Office1414 S Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34239
Call: 24/7
(941) 444-4444