When you are dealing with insurance hassles after getting injured in an auto accident in the Cultural Coast of Florida, you need a Sarasota car accident lawyer from Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys. For over 40 years, we have provided legal help for car accident victims in Sarasota.
If you were a victim of one of the 6,951 Sarasota car crashes in 2024, particularly at dangerous intersections like US-41 and Bee Ridge Road, a Sarasota car accident compensation lawyer from our law firm may be able to assist you. Take advantage of our free consultations to learn more.
Were you injured in a car accident? Contact Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, now.
Why Choose Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, for Your Sarasota Car Accident Case?
Jack Bernstein is a top-rated Sarasota personal injury lawyer who has been serving the community for over 40 years. Our law firm has recovered over $500 million for clients, with auto accident settlements as high as $2.76 million and $3 million.
The secret to our success lies in our strong local knowledge and dedication to the community. We help keep our clients informed with comprehensive car accident FAQs for Florida car accident victims, and by answering all client questions in person.
At Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, more than 40 support staff and six experienced personal injury attorneys handle personal injury cases. These trial attorneys are all members of the Florida State Bar Association and local bar associations.
If you were injured in a car accident in Florida, you need the best car accident lawyer in Sarasota, Florida, on your side. Take advantage of our free consultation to learn more about our proven track record and how we can help you. There is no upfront fee, so you have nothing to lose.
About Jack G. Bernstein Esq.
Personal Injury Lawyer
For more than 40 years, personal injury lawyer Jack G. Bernstein — a member of the Florida State Bar Association, the Hillsborough Bar Association, and the Clearwater Bar Association — has protected the rights of individuals injured by a negligent party.
Mr. Bernstein has the expertise to handle various injury cases, including, but not limited to, car accidents, medical malpractice cases, cruise ship accidents, accidental drownings, wrongful death lawsuits, along with most injury and catastrophic occurrences, and legal malpractice issues.
With a staff of approximately 40 people, including six lawyers and 34 support personnel, Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, handles every type of personal injury and accident case throughout Tampa, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, FL. Our office has the legal resources to get the justice you deserve and the maximum recovery for your losses. Schedule your free consultation today; we are always here to help.
Sarasota’s Car Accident Crisis
According to data from Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were 6,821 traffic accidents in Sarasota in 2023, which is equivalent to 18.7 auto accidents per day. The most serious accidents resulted in 58 fatalities that year. Red light camera footage shows that many of these accidents occurred at:
- US-41 and Bee Ridge Road
- Fruitville Road and Lockwood Ridge Road
- University Parkway and US-41
- Tamiami Trail intersections
Florida is the third-deadliest state in the country for car accidents. As one of the fastest-growing cities in Florida, Sarasota is home to many of these crashes. An aging population and lots of tourism lead to speeding and distracted driving.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Sarasota
Wondering what to do after an Uber accident? Need the insurance coverage for hit-and-run accidents explained? At our law firm, our Sarasota truck and car accident lawyers handle all types of cases.
We can help you with:
- Rear-end collisions
- T-bone or side-impact crashes
- Head-on collisions
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Commercial vehicle collisions
Also, we don’t just take car accident cases. Our experienced Sarasota attorneys handle all types of personal injury accidents. If you are involved in a truck accident, pedestrian collision, or motorcycle crash, contact our motor vehicle attorneys right away.
Due to the extensive local knowledge of our Sarasota auto accident injury attorneys, we also focus on location-specific incidents. Our legal team is familiar with the most dangerous intersections in Sarasota, and we know how to obtain video footage or other evidence from those locations.
Common Injuries in Sarasota Car Accidents
Several injury types are common in car accidents. The amount of compensation you can potentially receive from these injury types can vary widely. Our Sarasota pedestrian and car accident attorneys are familiar with all types of common injuries and use that knowledge to accurately determine the value of claims involving many different types of injuries.
Some of the most common types of injuries sustained in car accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Back injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Lacerations
The amount of compensation you can receive after a car accident is typically based on the severity of the injuries suffered in the crash. Serious injuries or catastrophic injuries can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars (or more) in medical bills, especially when they require long-term care.
Our law firm also handles wrongful death cases. If severe injuries resulted in the death of a loved one, consult with one of our Sarasota wrongful death car accident lawyers to learn about your legal options.
What To Do After a Car Accident in Sarasota
After you are injured in a Sarasota car accident, you should take the following steps to protect your health and legal rights.
- Get to a safe place and call 911.
- Seek immediate medical treatment for your injuries.
- Document the accident scene, gathering evidence like photos and video.
- Collect witness information.
- File a police report with the police officers who arrive at the scene.
- Inform your insurance company of the accident, but don’t give a recorded statement.
- Contact a Sarasota car accident injury lawyer immediately.
To complete your PIP claim, you will need as much evidence as possible. Police reports, accident reports, and medical records are all essential evidence when filing your claim.
You should either request that the EMTs take you to Sarasota Memorial Hospital or Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, or you should visit a doctor on your own within a few days.
For more information, contact a Florida car accident attorney in Sarasota at Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, immediately to schedule a free consultation.
Florida Personal Injury Law and Your Rights
Florida car accident laws are unlike those in most states. In Florida, drivers are required to purchase a personal injury protection policy that covers at least $10,000. When you are injured in a car accident, your PIP policy compensates you, regardless of who was at fault. This policy covers 80% of any medical bills and 60% of lost wages resulting from a car accident.
However, Florida comparative negligence laws also limit how much compensation you can get in some circumstances. If you are more than 50% at fault for your injuries, you won’t get any compensation from the insurance company.
There are situations, though, where Florida personal injury laws allow you to file personal injury claims to receive additional compensation due to someone else’s negligence. If another person’s negligence caused severe enough injuries to meet a legal threshold, you can file a lawsuit.
However, to succeed in the lawsuit, you must be able to show that the other party met the four elements of negligence:
- They had a legal duty toward you.
- They breached that duty.
- That breach caused your injuries.
- You suffered financially from those injuries.
When you prove all four elements at trial, a jury will typically award you damages. Just be aware that due to recent changes in the statute of limitations, you only have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit.
Damages and Compensation You Can Recover
Typically, there are two types of financial recovery you can get after a car accident: economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages involve compensation for losses and expenses related to your injuries.
This includes:
- Medical bills and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and other earnings
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation costs
Fair compensation also includes compensation for the trauma you suffered due to your injuries. These non-economic damages include compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
In rare cases, when a court determines that the defendant engaged in gross negligence, it may award you punitive damages. This is effectively a fine, but you are the recipient, rather than the court.
Wondering how much is the average settlement for a back injury? Settlements can vary significantly based on the types of injuries. If you want to know how much compensation you deserve after an accident, talk to a Sarasota personal injury attorney for car accidents. An experienced lawyer can help you get the maximum compensation for your injuries.
How Insurance Companies Handle Car Accident Claims
Insurance companies seek to minimize payouts so they can maximize profits. They commonly use tactics like offering quick, lowball settlements, requesting recorded statements before you can think about them, or disputing medically necessary procedures to lower the value of your claim.
Claims adjusters may act like they intend to give you fair compensation, but they are motivated by supporting the company they work for. Rather than trust a claims adjuster, you should refuse the first offer and get Sarasota car accident legal representation.
From the moment of the initial consultation, when you are represented by an attorney, insurance companies are likely to offer you larger settlements. Insurance company representatives are aware that you are willing to file a lawsuit, if necessary, and would prefer to pay a little more to avoid legal costs.
The Legal Process: From Consultation to Compensation
The legal process in a personal injury lawsuit may seem daunting, but a high-quality legal team can make it relatively painless.
Typically, during your injury claim, your lawyer will:
- Give you an initial free consultation and case evaluation.
- Investigate the accident and gather evidence to support your negligence claim.
- Collect your medical records and analyze the severity of your injuries.
- Send a demand letter to the insurance company.
- Negotiate for the highest possible compensation.
- File a personal injury lawsuit, if necessary.
- Share evidence during the discovery process.
- Seek mediation or arbitration to avoid a trial.
- Prepare for the trial.
- Argue your case at trial.
- Collect a settlement or verdict.
While your attorney is highly experienced in civil trial law, most claims settle well before trial preparations begin. Most insurance companies would rather settle in a few months than spend years litigating an expensive trial.
Why You Need a Sarasota Car Accident Lawyer
Why should you hire a Sarasota injury lawyer for car accidents from Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys? There are several benefits to getting legal assistance from our Sarasota motor vehicle accident lawyers.
Our experienced attorneys offer:
- In-depth knowledge of Florida laws and local courts.
- Experience with Florida insurance companies and their common tactics.
- Relationships with medical experts and accident reconstruction specialists.
- Accurate estimates of the value of insurance claims.
- Extensive trial experience, which can be used as leverage in negotiations.
- Personal attention throughout your case.
The Florida PIP system and comparative negligence rules are complex. Our Sarasota car accident lawyers can help you avoid common mistakes when dealing with these rules. You will also benefit highly from the knowledge our legal team has of the Sarasota County Courthouse and the procedures of local judges.
As a rule, if you are represented by a lawyer, you are likely to obtain a higher settlement than if you aren’t. Contact our legal team as soon as possible after an accident to obtain this benefit.
Our Contingency Fee Promise: No Fees Unless We Win
There is no risk when you attend the initial consultation because we only charge a contingency fee. Sarasota car accident lawyers who take cases on a contingency fee basis offer a free consultation and no upfront costs. You only pay a fee if your attorney wins you money.
If your lawyer obtains compensation for you, typically, they will charge you 33.5% to 40% of the value of your settlement. While that may seem like a lot, compare that to attorneys who charge an hourly fee. Those fees are often several hundred dollars per hour, and hourly attorneys typically expect you to pay before the case is done.
Fear not about high fees or upfront costs. At Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, we charge no fees unless we win.
Notable Results and Settlements
At Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, we have a proven track record of obtaining exceptional financial recovery for our clients. While past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, we always fight for maximum compensation for every client.
Our three highest settlements were all for $3 million and all involved motor vehicle accidents. In half of the top ten results of our Sarasota personal injury law firm, car accidents were involved. All of those settlements were for values over $1 million.
Is your case worth that much? The only way to find out is to take advantage of our free consultations.
FAQ
How Long Do I Have To File a Claim in Florida?
You have only two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. If you are filing a PIP claim, you need to get medical attention within 14 days of the accident.
What if I Was Partially at Fault?
As long as you are less than 51% at fault for your injuries, you can pursue an insurance claim and possibly a lawsuit.
How Much Is My Case Worth?
That typically depends on the severity of your injuries. The more serious your injuries, the more your case is worth. Our top-rated Sarasota personal injury lawyers will evaluate your case during your free consultation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Minor Accident?
You should consult with an attorney, even if you are involved in a minor accident. You might decide not to pursue a legal case, but you shouldn’t make that decision until you have had your legal options explained to you during a free consultation.
What if the Other Driver Was Uninsured?
PIP coverage means that you will receive compensation even if the other driver is uninsured.
How Long Does a Car Accident Case Take?
If you settle, the case will probably be completed in a few months. However, if it goes to court, it may take years.
What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Typically, a car accident injury lawyer in Sarasota, FL, will cost between 25% and 40% of whatever compensation they win for you.
Client Testimonials: What Our Sarasota Clients Say
Here are some client testimonials from accident victims and personal injury victims.
Attention to detail: “Her attention to detail and dedication made a huge difference. I highly recommend her!”
Informative: “Elaine kept me informed from beginning to end, and they got me a great result.”
Quick responses: “Blake, the attorney on my case was also fantastic – very professional and always quick to respond to my emails, which I really appreciated.”
Financial support: “Even when I was in a financial pinch, they helped me out.”
Other Sarasota Accident Practice Areas We Handle
At Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, we handle lots of practice areas related to personal injury accidents, along with car accidents.
For example, our attorneys also handle:
- Personal injury cases: Injuries caused by negligence.
- Motorcycle accidents: Typically involving life-threatening injuries.
- Truck accidents: Complicated because they involve trucking companies.
- Pedestrian accidents: Often involve lifelong injuries.
- Bicycle accidents: Requires a knowledge of Florida bike laws.
- Wrongful death cases: Only specific individuals can file a claim.
- Medical malpractice: When a medical professional is negligent.
- Premises liability: Harm incurred on someone else’s property.
- Product liability: Harm caused by defective products.
We have decades of experience handling complex cases involving catastrophic injuries. Even if you don’t need car accident legal help in Sarasota, Florida, if you were injured by another party, consult with our legal team right away.
Take Action Now: Contact Our Sarasota Car Accident Lawyers
When you need a Sarasota car accident lawyer, you need one immediately, not in a few days. At Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, our legal team is available by phone, email, or online form 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Even if you don’t have an emergency, you can’t afford to wait. The statute of limitations will run out sooner than you might expect. Take advantage of our free consultations and contact us right away to discuss your legal rights.
There are no upfront costs, and we only charge a contingency fee, so you risk nothing by calling Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, today.
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