Free Unless You Win | Call 24/7: 1-800-800-1414
Free Unless You Win | Call 24/7: 1-800-800-1414
According to the state’s 2022 crash statistics, car accidents in Florida have reached over 390,000 a year, resulting in over a quarter million injuries and nearly 3,000 deaths*. Traffic deaths are not significantly improving on a national level, with Florida in the top three states with the most auto accident fatalities as of 2020. Closer to home, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s office reports a staggering 9,280 crashes and 41 tragic fatalities as of September 2021***.
The increased distracted driving cases may be the main force behind the rise in Florida car wrecks. Still, other perennial negligent behaviors like speeding and drunk driving are not going away either, as they all lead to:
When drivers choose to speed, drive while drunk, or look at their phones instead of the road, they can and should be held liable for the serious accidents and injuries they cause. Patrick Hale is an experienced Sarasota car accident attorney with a long record of success helping victims of auto wrecks in Sarasota recover compensation for serious injuries. Learn more about Florida’s auto accident law below and how Hale Law can help you when you’ve been hurt due to another driver’s negligence.
The first place most drivers turn to after a crash is their no-fault insurance policy. It provides a measure of compensation through Personal Injury Protection (PIP) but with minimal benefits. For instance, no-fault benefits only pay 80% of your medical expenses and only cover 60% of your lost wages if your injury caused you to miss work.
A basic policy will provide benefits up to $10,000. However, if you didn’t seek treatment for an emergency medical condition within 14 days of the accident, your benefits are capped at only $2,500. Even with the PIP only paying a portion of your damages, this low monetary limit is typically insufficient except in cases with minor injuries.
There is a way to go beyond the limits of your no-fault policy for those who suffered a serious injury as defined by Florida’s laws. These limited circumstances include when a car wreck has caused any of the following:
If you suffered a serious injury that takes you outside the no-fault system, you’ll need an experienced attorney to help you recover full compensation for your claim. You’ll need a thorough understanding of your needs and the factors that determine the value of a car accident claim when negotiating a settlement with the other driver’s liability insurance. If going to court is necessary, you’ll need a trial attorney with experience defending clients successfully in front of Sarasota County juries.
Attorney Patrick Hale is a former insurance defense lawyer who knows how insurance companies value claims, determine a case’s settlement value, and when they’ll go to court rather than settle. At Hale Law, we’ve gone up against all the major insurers in Sarasota and recovered significant amounts for our clients. You can count on us to obtain full and fair compensation for the most serious auto wrecks and injuries.
In addition to physical injuries, car collisions often leave victims in a state of shock and confusion, wondering what to do next and who to turn to. It is entirely understandable to have questions about when to file a lawsuit, what type of compensation you can receive, and the timeline of it all. Hale Law’s Sarasota car collision attorneys are here to answer any questions about a crash in which you or a loved one were injured. We can take on your personal injury case when you are ready.
No. Never discuss your claim with the other party directly. Also, don’t discuss this with the other party’s insurance company, especially before speaking to a Sarasota personal injury attorney. They can use anything you say against you to harm your claim.
With the assistance of an attorney, you can file a lawsuit or “personal injury claim” against the at-fault party. The statute of limitations in Florida for a personal injury tort or lawsuit is four years under Florida statute 95.11.
The negligent party who caused the collision should be held liable. They may be another personal vehicle driver, multiple drivers, a commercial driver, or a municipality. There may be multiple insurance policies from which to pursue damages, including your bodily injury or property damage policies and any UM coverage you may have.
Florida is a comparative negligence state, meaning that the degree to which you are found at fault will be deducted from your claim’s value. For example, if you were found liable for 20 % of the collision because you were speeding, and the other party was 80 % liable for running a stop sign, you would only be able to receive 80 percent of your total damages (100 – 20=80). As such, limiting comparative negligence entirely or as much as possible is essential.
Your claim’s value is based on your damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, etc. The amount you receive depends significantly on the negligent party’s insurance policy. While Florida has the nation’s highest liability insurance costs at $903 per year (according to the Insurance Information Institute), it is one of the highest underinsured and uninsured motorist states.
Anywhere from a few months to a few years. The more serious your injuries and damages, the longer the process takes. If your case goes to court, it will take even longer than a settlement through negotiations or mediation.
Your insurance needs to have strong negotiating skills and experience in the courtroom. Your attorney must have your best interests at heart and consider your wishes, goals, and energy level throughout this process.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Sarasota, work with a local attorney who can start investigating the accident right away. You need one who can also swiftly communicate with the insurance company on your behalf and build a strong case for maximum compensation.
Get the help you need after a serious Sarasota auto accident by calling Hale Law at (800)-800-1414. Your consultation is free, and there are no fees unless and until we recover for you.
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