Bradenton Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents claimed over 38,000 lives in the U.S. in 2020. While some of the 2.28 million car accident injury victims that year recovered, many car accident victims need long-term treatment or suffer from irreversible injuries that permanently impact their lives.

Bradenton car accident lawyers understand the devastating impact a motor vehicle accident (MVA) can have on your health, well-being, and finances. We help car accident victims get justice.

Bradenton/Manatee County car accident facts

There were 6,772 car crashes in Manatee County in 2021, a notable increase from the 5,586 car wrecks in Manatee County in 2020. The number of fatalities and injuries recorded in 2021 was also higher. Car crashes claimed 71 lives in Manatee County in 2021 and injured 5,129 people. In 2020, 65 people died in car accidents in the county, while 4,430 were injured.

In 2021, seven vehicles were involved in fatal accidents in Bradenton, causing six fatalities. The number of people involved in these fatal accidents was 11, including four pedestrians. Bradenton experienced a decline in fatalities in 2021. The city recorded nine fatalities in traffic accidents in 2020, including two accidents involving drunk drivers.

The most dangerous intersections in Bradenton

Intersections are high accident areas, but some intersections have higher accident rates than others. Some intersections are dangerous because of limited visibility and heavy traffic volumes. Others have a higher accident rate because of a confusing layout.

The most dangerous intersections in Bradenton include the following intersections:

Cortez Road Bridge
S.R. 64 East and 48th Street Court East
University Parkway and I-75
U. S. 41 and 53rd. Avenue West
U.S. 41 and Cortez Road

Common causes of car accidents

Common car accident causes include the following:

Aggressive driving: Aggressive drivers take deliberate steps that put other motorists’ lives at risk. Aggressive driving involves breaking traffic laws to endanger others. Examples of aggressive driving can include abruptly changing lanes, tailgating, or weaving between vehicles. In 2021, aggressive driving accidents in Florida claimed 132 lives and injured 1,809 people.
Debris: Debris can strike a windshield, obscuring a driver’s view and causing an accident. Debris on roadways can also puncture tires or make it impossible for a driver to retain control of their vehicle, resulting in an accident.
Distracted driving: Anything that takes a driver’s mind off driving, eyes off the road, or hands off the steering wheel can cause a distracted driving accident. Common distractions include eating or drinking, texting, talking, or programming a GPS while driving. In 2021, 344 people died in distracted driving MVAs in Florida. More than 2,700 people suffered incapacitating injuries in distracted driving accidents, and another 13,496 people received non-incapacitating injuries.
Drowsiness/fatigue: A driver may make errors if they cannot focus on the road and respond appropriately to changing conditions. Fatigue can cause people to fall asleep while driving. An ill driver may be tired and unable to focus because of their health condition. Florida includes seizures, blackouts, fainting, physical impairments, illness, fatigue, and sleeping in this category. These types of accidents claimed 57 lives in Florida car crashes in 2021 and injured thousands.
Driving under the influence: DUIs refer to driving under the influence of one or more of three substances. Consuming alcohol or using drugs affects a driver’s judgment and response times, increasing the chances of a crash. Prescription medications can also impair judgment and response times.
Mechanical issues: Mechanical defects can cause or contribute to MVAs. For example, sudden acceleration can cause a vehicle to rear-end another vehicle or go off the road. Brake failures can prevent drivers from stopping or slowing down, leading to accidents.
Reckless driving: Reckless driving is similar to aggressive driving and can involve some of the same actions. Reckless driving refers to a driver’s choice to willfully disregard any concerns for public safety. Meeting the legal standard for negligence involves failing to act the way most reasonable people would in the same circumstances to prevent harm. Reckless driving involves gross negligence, which involves drivers taking what appear to be conscious actions that jeopardize people or property. Street racing is an example of reckless driving.
Speeding: Speeding is one of the most common causes of MVAs. It’s harder to slow down and respond to changes in driving conditions if you’re speeding. There’s also a greater chance you’ll lose control of your vehicle. Speeding claimed 211 lives in Florida car crashes in 2021, while speeding combined with aggressive driving caused another 197 fatalities.
Weather/road conditions: Weather can affect a driver’s visibility, preventing them from seeing stopped cars or objects on the road. Weather can also affect the road conditions. Vehicles may slide when roads are icy or wet. Damaged roadways can also cause accidents.

Common times and locations of car crashes

There are some times of the day and year when car accidents are more likely to occur, including the following:

Late afternoons/early evening: The risk of MVAs increases when there’s a higher volume of vehicles on roadways. More people are on the roads in the late afternoon and early evening hours because students are leaving school and people are leaving work. The sun also goes down during this time, interfering with a driver’s vision.
Weekend nights/early mornings: Higher traffic volumes during these weekend hours contribute to the number of MVAs and fatalities
Summer: The summer is the deadliest season for drivers, recording the highest number of MVA fatalities

There are also locations where traffic accidents are more common, including the following:

Heavy traffic areas
Intersections
Parking lots
Rural highways
Stop lights

What to do if you have been injured in a car accident

There are specific things you should do after a car accident if you or someone else has been injured. Following this checklist ensures you’ve fulfilled your legal obligations and protected your legal rights.

- Remain at the accident site: You must stay on site if an accident causes an injury or death or if the accident causes property damage
- Call 911: You must report the accident to local law enforcement officials. Calling 911 ensures the appropriate officials are notified and dispatched to the accident site.
- Check for injuries and property damage: You may not be able to move if you’re injured, but if you can, you should check on other drivers, passengers, and non-motorists involved in the crash. It’s helpful if you can answer questions about the victims when you call 911 to ensure they send an ambulance and appropriate resources to the scene. For example, suppose you’re aware someone’s stuck in a vehicle. In that case, emergency personnel may need the Jaws of Life to extract them from the vehicle.
- Provide medical help: You must render aid if someone’s injured and it’s possible to do so. Rendering aid does not mean you need to stitch lacerations or reset broken bones; it means that you perform First Aid and, if necessary, call an ambulance.
- Seek medical help: You should see a medical professional as soon as possible about your injuries. You may think your injuries are minor and be unaware of internal injuries that can cause severe health issues if left untreated. Your doctor can order tests to confirm whether you have bone fractures, organ lacerations, internal bleeding, and other injuries. The sooner you confirm your accident injuries, the easier it is to prove you suffered those injuries in the accident.

Create a record:

- Take notes of what happened before, during, and after the accident
- Write down everything you remember
- Record videos of the accident scene, vehicles and people involved, and the surrounding area
- Take photos of license plates, vehicle damage, nearby landmarks, witnesses, and the road
- Ask witnesses for contact information. This information can be crucial if you have to fight for compensation.
Collect and provide driver data: Every driver must provide their name and insurance information to the other drivers involved in the accident. Give other drivers the information you’re obligated to provide. Suppose a driver refuses to give you their information. In that case, you should inform the police when they arrive and have them supply the appropriate information.
Contact your insurance company: Let your insurance company know about your accident so they can begin preparing a claim
Call a car accident attorney: A car accident attorney can provide a free consultation over the phone. They’ll advise you of your rights and remind you about your obligations, ensuring you avoid mistakes that can cause legal issues later.

Do you need a lawyer if you have been in a car accident?

Car accident lawyers perform several essential tasks for their clients. They assess the situation to determine whether you have grounds for a legal claim and explain the process. Although you can file a car accident lawsuit, an attorney will file completed legal paperwork with the courts. They’ll explain the legal process, ensure you know what to expect, and gather the evidence to support your claim.

How much does an attorney cost for a car accident case?

Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, charges contingency fees for car accident cases. This means we receive a percentage of your settlement when we win your case. There are no upfront fees; you won’t pay anything until we win your case. There’s no financial risk when you hire one of our attorneys to handle your claim.

How long do you have to file an injury claim?

Every state sets a time limit for filing criminal and civil cases. Florida car accident victims must file personal injury accident lawsuits within 48 months of the accident’s date. However, some factors can alter the deadline. Suppose your spouse died in a car wreck. You may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit. However, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death lawsuit is 24 months.

There are times when the courts will extend the filing deadline. Suppose you were injured in a hit-and-run accident, and the at-fault party took steps to avoid being identified or moved to another state. The courts may waive the 48-month statute in this situation. The courts may also waive the statute if you were in a coma and unable to take legal action for some time following your accident.

How long does it take to resolve a car accident claim?

Car accident claim timelines vary. The insurance company may be motivated to resolve the case quickly, enabling us to negotiate a fair settlement. But cases can also take years to resolve if the insurance company refuses to settle, and we have to present your case at trial.

How can a car accident attorney help me?

Your auto accident lawyer will investigate your accident and gather evidence to support your claim. Your lawyer will explain the damages you can seek after your accident, ensuring you get the maximum compensation.

Your lawyer will also negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company, so you don’t have to worry about what to say or how to motivate them to increase their settlement offer. Our attorneys will use the evidence we’ve gathered to support your claim and get you the settlement you deserve.