After a car accident, you don’t have to pay for any of your damages out of your own pocket. Instead, you can file a claim to win compensation from the negligent party responsible. Fight for the compensation you deserve with help from an experienced car accident lawyer in Sarasota.
At The Law Place, our team of personal injury lawyers in Sarasota is ready to stand by your side every step of the way. Don’t let concerns about costs hold you back – take advantage of our free consultation, and remember, with our no win, no fee commitment, you won’t pay a dime unless we win your case. Contact The Law Place today and let us champion your cause!
Why Should I Retain a Car Accident Lawyer in Sarasota, FL?
While the law entitles you to file a claim, that doesn’t mean you automatically receive compensation. You still have to enter into negotiations with the defense and the insurance company to receive money for your damages. A personal injury lawyer can help you throughout this process in several ways.
Gathering Evidence for Your Claim
Our car accident attorneys in Sarasota will help you gather the evidence necessary to bolster the strength of your claim. There are critical pieces of evidence you need:
- A copy of the police report
- Any medical records regarding injuries sustained from your car accident
- Testimonies from any witnesses to the accident
- Surveillance footage that may have caught the accident occurring
- Any dashcam footage
The more evidence you have ready and organized, the better your chances of winning a fair settlement. Retaining a lawyer can help you in this process, whether you were the driver, a pedestrian, or another party in a passengers vehicle when a wreck was caused by negligence.
Consulting With Experts
When it comes to strengthening your claim even further, nothing beats the authoritative testimonies of experts in various fields. We can consult with them to provide supporting testimony on your behalf that helps prove fault and hold the negligent driver responsible for your car accident accountable for their actions.
During your claim, you may need to negotiate with insurance companies with deep pockets and plenty of tricks to lower your settlement. You may also be involved in an accident that involves a third party like Uber and Lyft, and this can make negotiations even more complicated. An experienced attorney who can handle this for you.
Calculating Damages
Calculating damages isn’t as easy as it seems. While economic damages are easy to calculate, non-economic damages aren’t. If you don’t calculate your damages accurately, you could miss out on compensation and end up settling for less. Our Sarasota personal injury lawyers will ensure every damage gets accounted for and nothing gets left out.
Detailed Overview of Damages from a Car Accident
When involved in a car accident, the array of damages you might suffer can be overwhelming. Understanding the type of compensation you’re eligible for can significantly influence your recovery process, both emotionally and financially. Here’s a more in-depth look at the damages you can claim:
- Pain and Suffering: This refers to the physical pain and discomfort one might endure post-accident. It can be acute, related to immediate injuries, or chronic, lingering for months or even years.
- Emotional Trauma and Mental Anguish: Beyond physical pain, accidents can leave scars on one’s mental well-being, leading to anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Medical Expenses: This covers a wide range of healthcare costs:
– Prescriptions: Medication needed to manage pain or aid recovery.
– Surgeries: Procedures required due to accident-induced injuries.
– Physical Therapy: Rehabilitation to regain physical capabilities or manage pain
– Medical Equipment: This might include wheelchairs, crutches, or specialized beds. - Lost Wages: If you’re unable to work due to your injuries, you can claim the income you would have earned during that period.
- Vehicle Repairs or Replacement: Damages to your vehicle can either be repaired, or if it’s a total loss, you may need compensation for its current market value.
- Substitute Services: If you’re unable to perform daily tasks like housekeeping or childcare due to your injuries, you can claim costs to hire someone for those services.
- Loss of Consortium: This refers to the negative impact the accident might have had on your relationship with your spouse, covering aspects of companionship, care, or sexual relations.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the accident hinders your ability to enjoy daily pleasures and hobbies, you’re entitled to compensation.
- Disability and Disfigurement: Long-term or permanent changes to your physical capabilities or appearance due to the accident can significantly impact your quality of life.
- Wrongful Death: If the accident results in the death of a loved one, surviving family members can claim compensation for their loss, covering aspects like funeral expenses, lost income, and emotional anguish.
It’s crucial to note that the extent and nature of damages vary from one case to another. Collaborating with a skilled lawyer can ensure you effectively account for every damage linked to your accident, helping you secure a comprehensive settlement that reflects the true impact of the incident on your life.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day. Personal Injury Protection in Sarasota Car Accidents
Personal Injury Protection is a type of no-fault insurance coverage, meaning that irrespective of who caused the accident, PIP can provide benefits. These benefits often cover medical expenses, a portion of lost wages, and sometimes, funeral expenses. It offers a crucial safety net, ensuring that car accident victims have some level of financial support in the immediate aftermath of a crash.
However, it’s crucial to understand that while PIP provides valuable benefits, it might not cover all the expenses stemming from a serious car accident. If injuries surpass a certain threshold or if there are other damages not covered by PIP, victims might need to pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault party to recover those additional costs.
Navigating a car accident claim can be complex, especially when juggling recovery, insurance adjusters, and the intricacies of Florida’s car accident laws. Personal injury attorneys, especially those familiar with Sarasota’s legal landscape, can be invaluable allies in this journey. They can guide victims through the process, ensuring they maximize their insurance coverage benefits and, if necessary, build a robust case against those responsible for the accident.
While Personal Injury Protection offers a foundational level of support for car accident victims, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. With the guidance of skilled personal injury attorneys, victims can ensure they have a comprehensive strategy to secure the compensation they deserve.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience Understanding Wrongful Death in Sarasota
When a loved one’s life is tragically cut short due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another, the emotional and financial toll on the surviving family members can be profound. In legal terms, when such a death occurs, it may give rise to a wrongful death claim.
A wrongful death claim is designed to provide compensation to the deceased’s close family members or estate for the loss they’ve endured, both emotionally and financially. This compensation can cover various damages, including:
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: If the deceased was a primary breadwinner, the loss of their income can significantly impact the family’s financial stability. Compensation can be sought for the wages the deceased would have earned had they lived.
- Medical and Funeral Expenses: These claims can cover the costs of medical care the deceased received before passing away and the expenses related to their funeral and burial.
- Loss of Companionship and Support: Beyond finances, the loss of a loved one’s emotional and social support can be deeply felt, particularly by spouses and children.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation might be awarded for the emotional anguish experienced by family members due to their loss.
To successfully navigate a wrongful death claim, it’s essential to establish that the death was indeed a result of someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or deliberate action. This could involve demonstrating that a duty of care was owed, that this duty was breached, and that this breach directly resulted in the death and the damages claimed.
Sarasota, with its unique laws and regulations surrounding wrongful death, requires experienced legal navigation. It’s crucial for grieving families to seek representation from attorneys well-versed in Sarasota’s legal landscape. An experienced attorney can ensure that the family’s rights are upheld and that they receive the compensation they’re entitled to during such a challenging time.
While no amount of money can truly compensate for the loss of a loved one, a successful wrongful death claim can provide families with some financial relief and a sense of justice.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers. Is It Worth Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer?
A lot of people mistakenly believe that lawyers are only out to get your money. While it’s true that some shady and dishonest law firms are like this, our firm isn’t. Our car accident lawyers in Sarasota have decades of experience helping car crash victims recoup a settlement for their damages. We can help you after a rollover or any other type of accident.
While you can fight for compensation on your own, we recommend that you don’t. If you don’t have any prior legal experience or knowledge, fighting against the defense or the insurance company can be highly challenging. Instead, let us help you win your settlement while you focus on resting and recovering from your accident.
How Does a Lawyer Prove Fault in a Car Accident?
After a car accident in Florida, you will need to prove that another party was negligent in the wreck if you want compensation because this is an at-fault state. Here are some examples of different types of scenarios and who would be at fault:
- One car rear-ends another, and the driver in the rear is at fault because they were following the other car too closely and should have left room to stop.
- One driver has engaged in reckless driving while the other driver is following the traffic laws, so the driver with the reckless driving citation is at fault.
Your car accident attorney in Sarasota may use evidence like police reports that prove drunk driving or eyewitness statements to prove fault and liability in your claim. They may also use accident reconstruction, medical bills, and other documentation.
Don’t Let Insurance Companies Pressure You
Insurance companies are notorious for trying to shift the blame of your car accident on you. Don’t let them force your hand into accepting a low settlement offer. The only interest of any insurance company is to save its own bottom line.
We know how insurance companies work. We won’t let them do this to you, especially after a car accident. So allow us to turn their tricks against them and ensure that your voice gets heard during negotiations.
Be Sure to File Before the Statute of Limitations Expires
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Florida states that you only have two years to file a claim for your car accident. However, evidence in car accident cases doesn’t last forever, so it’s best to get started building a strong case as soon as you can.
Car accident lawyers in Sarasota, FAQ
How much does an attorney charge for a car accident in Florida?
At The Law Place, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t pay any upfront fees, and we only get paid if we win your case. If for any reason your case is unsuccessful you will not pay anything.
How much can someone sue for a car accident in Florida?
The amount one can sue for depends on various factors, including the severity of the injuries, property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and other considerations. Each case is unique, so it’s essential to consult with a qualified attorney to understand potential compensation.
Should I get a lawyer after a car accident in Florida?
Yes, seeking legal representation ensures that your rights are protected, helps you understand your options, and increases the likelihood of securing fair compensation.
What is the new law in Florida for car accidents?
In 2023, Florida introduced a law that reduces the statute of limitations for car accident claims from 4 years to 2 years. Additionally, the state transitioned to comparative negligence instead of pure comparative negligence. This means if you’re found to be over 50% at fault for an accident, you cannot claim compensation.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Always consult with an attorney, even if you believe you were at fault. You might not have the complete picture of the incident. In Florida, as long as you’re found to be less than 50% at fault, you can still pursue a claim for compensation.
How are pain and suffering damages calculated?
Pain and suffering damages are subjective and based on the severity of injuries, the level of physical pain, emotional trauma, and the overall impact on the victim’s quality of life. Various factors, including medical records, therapy sessions, and personal accounts, play a role in determining the amount.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Florida?
With the new 2023 law, you have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a claim. This shortened timeframe makes it crucial to seek legal advice promptly after an accident.
Can I file a claim if I wasn’t wearing a seatbelt during the accident?
Yes, you can still file a claim. However, not wearing a seatbelt might be considered as comparative negligence, which could reduce the amount of compensation you receive. Consulting an attorney will help clarify how it might impact your specific case.
Get Legal Advice From One of Our Sarasota Personal Injury Lawyers Today
Sarasota car accidents are incredibly traumatic, and you should not have to deal with the aftermath alone. Fortunatley, the experienced and dedicated Sarasota car accident lawyers at The Law Place can help. For years, we’ve helped traffic accident victims get the justice and settlements they deserve.
Learn more about the areas we serve and how we can help you today. Contact us 24/7 to set up a free case evaluation with a Sarasota car accident attorney. You can call us by phone or fill out our online contact form for more information.
