Sarasota is a beautiful place to live, but driving in the city can be hazardous. The streets are packed with pedestrians, kids from the local colleges, and snowbirds. Constant construction and ever-changing traffic signals increase the risk of accidents. Add distracted drivers to the mix, and you have a recipe for an auto accident waiting to happen. Everyone has an obligation to drive safely, and if you were hurt in a collision, you have legal options.
A Sarasota personal injury lawyer can file your car accident claim and fight for fair compensation. Ged Lawyers offers comprehensive legal advocacy when you want it most. Call now to start your free initial consultation and learn more about working with our team.
Your Car Accident Attorney Takes Care of All Insurance-Related Matters
Florida is one of a handful of states that takes a no-fault approach to motor vehicle accident liability. That means drivers are generally required to seek compensation through their own insurance policy before filing a lawsuit against the person who caused the crash.
Florida also follows a comparative negligence rule, which means that if you are partially at fault for an accident, you can still seek compensation, but the amount you receive may be reduced by the percentage of your fault. For example, if you are 30% at fault for an accident, your damages would be reduced by 30%.
In addition to liability coverage, state law requires drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. In some cases, you must rely on the insurance coverage provided by these policies to seek compensation following a car accident.
Pursuing a PIP claim can have its advantages. However, these policies will only pay up to a set limit, and the other party’s insurer might refuse to compensate you fairly.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles records the car accidents that take place in Sarasota County each year. So far in 2024, the organization noted there were more than 4,000 crashes that resulted in 37 fatalities and 2,509 injuries. These statistics highlight the importance of working with an attorney who is experienced with these types of cases and will seek the maximum compensation to which you are entitled.
With a Sarasota car accident attorney from Ged Lawyers by your side, you get someone who understands the claims process inside and out. We’re committed to your case’s outcome, and we handle all dealings with the insurance companies so you can focus on healing.
Types of Financial Compensation After a Sarasota Car Accident
You could be entitled to receive financial damages should you pursue a personal injury lawsuit. These types of damages could combine to form your final settlement amount. Our personal injury attorney can advise you on the types of damages available to you and what your case might be worth. They can seek compensation from various negligent parties, as well.
Here are some of the damages you may be compensated for:
Medical Expenses
You could be facing significant injuries following a car accident. These injuries could require medical care—now and in the future, if you suffered a permanent injury. Monetary compensation could be available to pay for these costs, including treatments like surgery, prescription drugs, and physical therapy.
Lost Wages
Missing work due to a car accident injury can be a disruptive event. This time away from work could result in missed paychecks and unexpected financial strain. With the help of an attorney, you could recoup the wages you lost due to your injury.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
While awaiting compensation from the liable party, you may have spent money out of pocket on childcare costs, temporary transportation arrangements, and in-home assistance. We can compel these damages from the liable party.
Pain and Suffering
Physical pain and emotional suffering is an unfortunate part of many car accidents. So, the law allows injured claimants (such as yourself) to recover reimbursement for this hardship. Florida is one of many states that does not cap how much you can request for pain and suffering. This damage could comprise a significant portion of your claim’s value, depending on your circumstances.
Mental Anguish
Emotional trauma is common following major vehicle collisions. For some people, reliving the experience can haunt them even after their physical injuries have already healed. This mental anguish could result in a monetary award based on how it has impacted your life following the accident.
Property Damage Costs
The damage to your personal property could also result in financial compensation. Just like with your injuries, the extent of this damage will determine the amount of compensation you are entitled to recover. Often, this involves a monetary award that allows you to repair or replace your car.
Other damages may include emotional distress, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment, lost promotion opportunities, used vacation and sick time, and more. Our lawyers will seek compensation to cover all of your damages.
As a full-service law firm, Sarasota car accident lawyers are here for our clients and their legal needs, with proficiency in various fields.
Seek Medical Attention After Your Sarasota Car Accident
Make sure you see a doctor and receive treatment for your injuries, even if they appear minor. Your Sarasota car accident attorney can use your medical records to establish your losses and protect you from unfair allegations of fault.
The last thing you want is for an insurer to try to undervalue or deny your claim. You also deserve to make your maximum medical recovery. Always follow your doctor’s orders. Your health is the most important thing you have.
Our auto accident lawyers are here to guide you through the legal process with compassionate advice and professional assistance.
Other Considerations Following Your Collision
Seeking medical attention is just one post-accident consideration. These measures could also promote your case’s outcome:
- Document the accident scene: Take detailed photos of the crash scene from multiple angles, including vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signs, and any other relevant environmental factors. Also, note the time, weather conditions, and any witnesses present.
- Document your recovery period. As you work toward maximum medical improvement, you should take photos of your injuries and make notes about your doctor’s appointments. This helps your lawyer calculate your pain and suffering. Plus, it establishes the severity of your condition and its effect on your life.
- Refuse to give the insurance company a recorded statement. Only one party benefits from a recorded statement: the insurance company. The claims adjuster hopes that you’ll accidentally admit fault for the accident or downplay the severity of your condition. Then, it can use your own words to justify a low offer.
- Consider the benefit of legal representation. You don’t have to navigate the claims process alone. Instead, by hiring Ged Lawyers, you allow yourself to focus entirely on your health and family. In the meantime, we take on the at-fault party and their insurer, seeking maximum compensation.
Our Personal Injury Attorneys Advocate for Clients with These Conditions
Car accidents can be caused by anything from drunk driving to distracted driving to bad weather causing dangerous road conditions. Regardless of the cause, the results can be severe, even deadly.
Here are some of the types of common injuries that can result from a Sarasota car accident:
- Spinal cord injuries: These can lead to partial or complete paralysis, potentially requiring long-term rehabilitation and altering the victim’s quality of life permanently.
- Head trauma: This includes concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), which can result in cognitive impairments, memory loss, and other neurological complications.
- Internal bleeding: Often undetectable immediately, internal bleeding can be life-threatening if not treated promptly and may lead to organ damage or failure.
- Broken bones: Fractures can range from simple breaks to complex compound fractures, often requiring surgery, physical therapy, and extended recovery periods.
- Burns: Severe burns from vehicle fires or explosions can cause significant pain and scarring, and may require skin grafts or reconstructive surgery.
- Amputated limbs: High-impact collisions can result in the traumatic loss of limbs, necessitating prosthetics and extensive rehabilitation for the victim.
- Permanent scarring: Deep cuts, lacerations, or burns can leave lasting scars that may affect a person’s appearance, emotional well-being, and self-esteem.
If you lost a loved one due to the reckless actions of another, we offer our sincerest condolences for your loss. You do not have to stand alone during this tragic moment in your life. If you wish to pursue a wrongful death claim against the liable party, Ged Lawyers is ready to put our extensive experience at your disposal.
Types of Car Accidents Our Personal Injury Lawyers Handle
Any car collision could result in a viable case for compensation when negligence is involved. However, understanding the common types of motor vehicle accidents could assist with building a winning case for negligence.
Rear-End Collisions
By far, the most common type of car accident is the rear-end collision. These accidents typically occur at intersections when the following driver fails to stop in time to avoid striking the car in front of them.
Side-Impact Collisions
A side-impact crash can happen in different ways. These accidents are often known as T-bone accidents and occur when the front of a car strikes the side of another. Side-impact collisions can also happen when the sides of two vehicles strike each other.
Rollovers
Rollover accidents occur when a vehicle flips on its side or top and rolls before coming to a stop. These accidents can involve multiple vehicles, but they often happen when one driver loses control.
Front-End Collisions
These are often known as head-on collisions. A head-on or front-end collision is one of the most devastating types of car accidents. These collisions involve tremendous force, as the cars are typically traveling in opposite directions when they collide.
Our Clients Never Pay Upfront Fees or Retainers
Ged Lawyers understands your financial concerns following a motor vehicle collision in Sarasota. That’s why, ever since we first started serving injured people, we’ve worked on a contingency-fee basis. This arrangement means we start building your case without asking for a dime out of pocket.
From the beginning, you learn that we take a percentage of your awarded settlement as payment for our time and efforts. If your case doesn’t yield financial recovery, you don’t pay our attorney’s fees. You can learn more about this arrangement and what it means for your case during your complimentary case review.
You Have Limited Time to File a Car Accident Lawsuit
Each state places limits on the amount of time an injured party has to file a civil lawsuit against a negligent driver or another liable party. Florida is no exception. The deadline that applies to your car accident injury case is commonly known as the statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations is one of the most dangerous pitfalls facing a civil lawsuit. This deadline is strictly enforced, and the judge in your case will likely dismiss your lawsuit with prejudice if you file after the deadline expires. A dismissal with prejudice means you will lose the opportunity to sue the negligent party based on your injuries. This is true even if negligence in your case is undisputed.
In Florida, an accident victim has just two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. If you miss that period, you risk losing the opportunity to file your lawsuit and seek compensation through the court system.
Our Sarasota car accident lawyers could help you avoid this pitfall by monitoring the statute of limitations and ensuring your lawsuit is filed on time. But we must hear from you first.
Let Our Firm Help After a Sarasota Car Accident
If you suffered injuries in a car crash, you have the right to hire legal representation. The personal injury lawyers at Ged Lawyers are ready to help you pursue justice during this challenging time. Our goal is to ensure you receive a fair settlement for your injuries and losses.
To learn how a Sarasota car accident lawyer could help, call right away for a free consultation.
