Bradenton Car Accident Lawyer

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.

Why Choose Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, as Your Bradenton Car Accident Lawyer?

Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, has been helping car accident victims in Bradenton and Manatee County secure the compensation and justice they deserve for over 40 years. Our Tampa-area law firm has a staff of 40 legal professionals, including six lawyers and 34 support personnel. Our Southwest Florida presence gives us first-hand knowledge and experience of working with Manatee County courts. 

Our Bradenton injury law firm also has the legal resources to handle all types of car crashes, from minor injuries to catastrophic, life-altering injuries and wrongful death. We also have the financial resources and expertise to invest the time and money it takes to help you obtain the maximum compensation for your losses. 

Unlike other Bradenton car accident lawyers, all of our personal injury attorneys have actual trial experience and have tried cases with successful outcomes. Our legal team even consists of lawyers who have trained under some of the top litigators in Florida. 

Some of the notable verdicts and settlements our experienced attorneys have recovered for car accident victims include:

• $3 million wrongful death car accident
• $2.76 million cement truck accident
• $1.425 million foot/ankle injury car accident
• $700,000 neck injury car accident
• $560,000 back injury car accident
• $300,000 knee and breast injury car accident
• $200,000 ankle injury car accident

It is important to keep in mind that the value of your case will depend on the extent of your injuries and other factors. Our experienced attorneys provide legal representation on a contingency basis, meaning you owe us nothing until we win your case. Find out the value of your car accident injury claim with a free consultation today.

Bradenton Car Accident Statistics: Why You Need Legal Protection

Nationally, Florida ranks third in the number of car crashes and fatalities annually. Statewide, in 2024, there were 381,385 crashes, 246,445 injuries, and 3,137 deaths. The number of accident victims in Manatee County averages around 6,400 crashes, with 4,700 injuries and 67 deaths annually. 

Crash statistics for 2024 in Manatee County included:

• 6,470 crashes
• 62 fatalities
• 4,547 injuries
• 1,448 hit-and-run crashes

For 2023, there were:

• 6,420 crashes
• 71 fatalities
• 4,612 injuries
• 1,597 hit-and-run crashes

For 2022, there were:

• 6,386 crashes
• 69 fatalities
• 5,095 injuries
• 1,643 hit-and-ran crashes

Some of the most dangerous locations and intersections in Bradenton and Manatee County for motor vehicle accidents include:

• Cortez Road Bridge
• SR 64 East and 48th Street Court Eat
• University Parkway and I-75
• US 41 and 53rd Ave West
• US 41 and Cortez Road
• US 41 and Bayshore Gardens Parkway
• SR 70 and Lockwood Ridge

With approximately 18 crashes in Bradenton and Manatee County daily, and Florida’s no-fault insurance system, navigating the complexities of an injury and property damage claim can be frustrating without proper legal guidance and support.  

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Bradenton

The leading causes of car accidents in Bradenton include:

• Distracted driving: Texting while driving, eating, drinking, talking on the phone, adjusting the radio or GPS.
• Speeding: Driving too fast for conditions or intentionally exceeding the posted speed limit.
• Driving under the influence: Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Reckless driving: Driving at high speeds, weaving in and out of traffic, tailgating, not using turn signals, and making illegal turns.
• Aggressive driving/road rage: Tailgating, slamming on the brakes, cutting cars off, and other aggressive driving behaviors.
• Drowsy driving: Driving while tired or fatigued, resulting in daydreaming or nodding off to sleep.
• Disregarding traffic signals: Running red lights, not stopping on red before turning right, not yielding the right-of-way.
• Poor weather conditions: Heavy downpours, fog, wind, tropical storms, hurricanes.
• Poor road conditions: Construction zones, potholes, uneven pavement.
• Mechanical failures: Tire blowouts, brake failures, brake light failures.

Other contributing factors include tourist traffic, elderly drivers, and seasonal snowbirds. 

Out of all of these, distracted driving and speeding are the top two causes of car crashes in Bradenton. The FLHSMV reported over 103,500 distracted driving crashes, with more than 2,200 serious injuries and over 265 fatalities statewide in 2024. Speeding-related crashes in 2023 accounted for 30% of all fatalities.  

Causing a distracted driving crash usually results in being considered the at-fault party. You are considered a negligent driver if you cause an accident while speeding.

Types of Car Accident Injuries We Help Victims Recover From

Our Bradenton law firm helps victims recover the compensation they deserve from minor, moderate, and catastrophic injuries, as well as wrongful death. 

Minor Injuries

Minor injuries occur during low-impact crashes and generally heal within a few weeks or a month with proper medical treatment, and include:

• Soft tissue injuries
• Whiplash
• Sprains and strains
• Cuts, scrapes, and bruises

Moderate Injuries

Moderate injuries are more serious injuries than minor ones and require immediate medical treatment. It can take several months to fully recover from moderate injuries, such as:

• Fractured and broken bones
• Concussions
• Mild TBI (traumatic brain injury)
• Pinched, torn, and damaged nerves
• Herniated and slipped discs
• Deeper lacerations requiring stitches

Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries are the most severe and often have direct impacts on one’s personal livelihood and life. They can result in disfigurement, paralysis, and brain damage, requiring ongoing medical care and lost earning capacity. 

Common catastrophic injuries include:

• Severe TBI
• Fractured skulls
• Burns
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken backs
• Loss of fingers, toes, limbs
• Internal organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Punctured lungs
• Broken necks
• Crushed pelvis  

Impacts on Compensation

The extent of your car accident injuries will determine the amount and types of compensation you can claim, including medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. 

What To Do After a Car Accident in Bradenton

The steps to take after a car accident in Bradenton to protect your legal rights and ability to file an injury claim against the at-fault party are:

• Check for injuries.
• Call 911, report the accident, and request medical treatment, even if injuries are minor.
• Take pictures and videos of the accident scene before moving the vehicles.
• Move the vehicles out of the flow of traffic.
• Take pictures of any injuries.
• Continue gathering evidence, including the contact details for any witnesses.
• Exchange information with the other driver.
• Obtain the police accident report number from the responding officer.
• Contact your insurance company to open a claim, but do not make any statements.
• Consult with an experienced car accident attorney.

It is crucial to preserve any evidence, such as your clothing, pictures, and videos, to help support your claim. Even though Florida has a two-year statute of limitations for car accident injury claims, you should file your claim as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more difficult it can be to substantiate your claim, as vital evidence can get lost or destroyed.  

How Our Bradenton Car Accident Attorneys Help Maximize Your Compensation

When you turn to our car accident lawyers for help, we provide a comprehensive legal process to ensure you receive maximum compensation, which includes:

• Free consultation and case evaluation.
• Reviewing the evidence you already have.
• Gathering crucial evidence and additional evidence to support your injury claim.
• Using your medical records to support the extent of your injuries.
• Working with your medical providers to ensure ongoing treatment.
• Managing your medical bills on your behalf to prevent collections.
• Using expert testimony, when needed, to further establish the seriousness of your injuries.
• Accurate assessment and valuation of the compensation you deserve.
• Using the evidence we have gathered to prove liability and negligence.
• Dealing directly with the insurance companies and insurance adjusters on your behalf.
• Submitting a demand letter for your insurance settlement.
• Handling all settlement negotiations to secure fair compensation.
• Aggressively litigating your case at trial if a settlement cannot be reached.

When you retain our law firm to represent your interests and handle your car accident injury claim, you have a dedicated Bradenton personal injury lawyer and team of legal professionals, including paralegals and investigators, providing the legal assistance you need. Your legal team keeps you informed of the status of your case and is available whenever you have questions or concerns. 

Types of Compensation Available in Bradenton Car Accident Cases

The types of compensation you can claim in car accident injury cases in Bradenton include economic and non-economic damages. In very rare cases, a judge may award punitive damages to punish the defendant when their behavior was grossly negligent, reckless, and malicious. 

Economic Damages

• Current medical bills and future medical expenses.
• Prescription and medical device expenses.
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs.
• Current and future lost wages.
• Loss of earning capacity.
• Loss of benefits (retirement, health insurance, PTO).
• Property damage.

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering.
• Emotional distress.
• Loss of enjoyment (of life).
• Loss of consortium.
• Physical impairments and disfigurement.

Florida’s No-Fault System, Comparative Negligence, and Compensation

All Florida drivers are required to have at least $10,000 in PIP (personal injury protection) insurance. Once you reach maximum compensation through your PIP, you can sue the at-fault driver for additional financial compensation. 

Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule allows you to seek compensation as long as you are 50% or less at fault. 

Florida Personal Injury Laws for Car Accidents

Florida personal injury law requires you to prove the other party was negligent and their negligence was a direct cause of your injuries. Every driver has a duty of care to operate their vehicle in a reasonable manner and take steps to reduce the risk of crashes. When they do not, they breach their duty of care, resulting in negligence. 

Florida’s no-fault insurance system also impacts personal injury laws and legal processes. The mandatory requirement of PIP coverage is to help ensure you can start receiving medical payments and lost wage payments as soon as you file your claim. However, to utilize PIP coverage, you must see medical care and treatment within 14 days of the accident. 

Once you reach your coverage limits on your insurance, you can seek further compensation against the other driver. This is why fault still matters in car crashes. Florida law allows you to file a personal injury lawsuit for any additional compensation above your coverage limits. You can also sue them if your injuries exceed the serious injury threshold. However, any personal injury claim settlement can be reduced under the state’s modified comparative negligence rules. 

Common Car Accident Scenarios in Bradenton 

Bradenton is one of the faster growing cities in Southwest Florida due to its ideal location, scenic views, beaches, and Gulf access. With more people on our roads, the risk of getting into a motor vehicle accident has increased. 

Some of the different types of car accidents that occur include:

• Intersection accidents: Running a red light, trying to beat a yellow light, or failure to yield the right of way.
• Rear-end collisions: Distracted driving, tailgating, speeding, brake light failure, and intentional stopping (road rage).
• Left-hand accidents: Improper turns, making a U-turn, misjudging speed or distance, distracted driving, improper lane use.
• Highway accidents on I-75 and I-275: Speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, “super speeder” crashes, distracted driving, drowsy driving, aggressive driving, and road rage.
• Parking lot accidents at shopping centers: Distracted driving, speeding, failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, backing up without looking, and cutting across parking spaces/lanes.
• Tourist-related accidents: Unfamiliar with Bradenton and the roads, distracted driving, unfamiliar with their rental car, not used to driving in heavy traffic congestion, and driving under the influence.

Dealing With Insurance Companies After a Bradenton Car Accident

Most insurance companies want to settle your car crash injury claim quickly for the least amount of money possible. One common tactic is to make you a low-ball offer that does not account for pain and suffering, potential future medical expenses, and future lost wages. 

Another tactic is asking leading questions to get you to admit partial fault. Your total settlement is reduced by the percentage you are at fault, meaning they have to pay out less money. Other common insurance company tactics claims adjusters will use include:

• Requiring you to make recorded statements, then using those statements against you.
• Intentionally delaying or denying your claim.
• Acting like the settlement offer they make is the best deal you’re going to get.

Having legal representation helps prevent insurance company tactics from occurring. Your lawyer is well aware of the tactics they attempt to use, so they are ineffective. Instead, your lawyer handles all negotiations with your insurance company and the at-fault party’s insurance company to secure fair compensation for your losses.    

Why Experience Matters: Our Track Record in Florida

When you need a Southwest Florida personal injury attorney, experience matters. Experienced attorneys have extensive knowledge of Florida traffic laws, personal injury laws, and Manatee County courts and procedures to help secure the compensation you deserve. 

At Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, we have been practicing personal injury law for over four decades. We are familiar with Southwest Florida courts and procedure since we are a local law firm. 

Thanks to our law firm’s substantial financial resources for case management, we can invest the amount of money required to get maximum recovery for your losses. The amount of our personal injury compensation for our clients speaks for itself, with amounts ranging from $50,000 up to $3 million. The amount of your settlement will vary based on the extent of your injuries. We are here to help you secure maximum compensation. 

The Contingency Fee Advantage — No Fees Unless We Win

We believe car accident victims should have access to legal representation to secure a favorable settlement, without having to pay upfront legal fees. To ensure everyone has this access, our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis. 

This means we provide you with a free consultation, free legal advice, and, if you retain our services, free legal representation with zero money out of your pocket. There are no fees unless we win. Instead, we get our financial compensation to cover your legal fees from your settlement. You will know upfront during the initial consultation what percentage we will take for our legal fees, so there will be no surprises later.  

Contact Our Bradenton Car Accident Lawyers Today

If you have been involved in a car crash in Bradenton, take the time to find out your legal rights and options before speaking to the insurance companies. You may be entitled to seek additional compensation and sue the at-fault driver if your losses exceed your coverage limits or injury threshold limit. 

Contact us to schedule your free consultation with our Bradenton car accident lawyer, available immediately, by calling or filling out our online form today. Our law firm serves all of Southwest Florida, including Bradenton and Manatee County.

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