For those who have been in a car accident and sustained injuries, it is important to take the right action at the right time. After obtaining the necessary emergency care and contacting law enforcement, calling Sarasota car accident lawyers is a logical next step.
Consulting with a skilled personal injury attorney can help the accident victim determine if they have the basis for a car accident claim in Sarasota. Working with an experienced auto accident attorney can also help the injured person avoid harassment from bill collectors and insurance companies during their most vulnerable time.
At Florin|Roebig, our compassionate and skilled car accident lawyers can offer the assistance that an injured person and their loved ones need. Filing a claim for compensation for serious injuries from an auto accident is a complex matter that can be handled expertly by the right attorney.
Common Causes Of Car Accidents In Sarasota
Motor vehicle accidents occur with startling regularity in Sarasota. These can range from minor fender benders that result in only property damage to those that are catastrophic in nature.
Here are a few of the more common causes of car accidents:
Drinking And Driving
Despite the fact that drinking and driving are against the law in the state of Florida, accidents involving alcohol still occur often. If a person is injured as a result of drunk driving, it is likely that a skilled Sarasota car accident attorney can file a successful car accident claim.
Driver Inattention
With the advent of mobile devices and the fact that so many people have them, the rates of driver inattention have increased. Florida laws have attempted to rein in driver inattention resulting from texting and answering phone calls.
Mobile devices are not the only reason for driver inattention, though. Other passengers in the vehicle, eating while driving, and distractions on the sidewalk are just a few other factors that can lead to driver inattention.
Improper Equipment
Even though Florida does not typically require the owner of a vehicle to obtain a state inspection, it is still the car owner’s responsibility to ensure that their vehicle is maintained safely. Broken or burnt-out headlights, non-working tail lights, and malfunctioning brakes are all common equipment issues that could lead to a car accident.
Each of these factors could lead to filing a car accident claim in Sarasota. Because each auto accident case is different from the next, a consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer is the best approach.
Reasons To File A Car Accident Claim
There is a common perception that most people file a car accident claim in order to gain the most compensation possible for themselves. The reality, however, is not usually that simplistic.
There are many people who seek compensation because their medical bills are growing and they have been out of work since the accident. They cannot figure out how they are going to pay their bills when they have no money coming in.
In other cases, a car accident victim may want to help ensure that the negligent party is removed from the roads. This can teach that person a lesson while protecting others from a similar fate.
Factors That Affect Car Accident Cases
The factors that can affect car accident cases can be categorized into a few key elements. While other factors may be present depending on individual circumstances surrounding an auto accident, the following factors could be considered when awarding compensation:
How extensive are the injuries?
Serious injuries that require a great deal of surgery, rehabilitative care, and long-term treatment are likely to receive more compensation. The same is true for those injuries that change the quality of life of the person who was injured.
Who is at fault?
For some auto accidents, a simple act of nature may be the cause. However, every motorist on the road in Sarasota has a responsibility to change their driving habits to match the road conditions, weather, and other factors that can affect safety. Failing to do so can mean that the other party was negligent.
How the accident affected your finances
When a person is first injured, they might be concerned with how they are going to pay for their medical care. This is especially true if they need to be hospitalized for a certain period of time, if they need ongoing care, or if they have long-term medical needs as a result of the accident.
Eventually, if the accident means that the person cannot work, the issue of lost wages comes into play. Some employers might not hold a person’s job while they recover. In other instances, an injured person might not be able to perform the same job duties they performed previously.
How Much Compensation Can You Win?
Consulting with Sarasota car accident lawyers is the best way for an injured person to obtain a general idea of how much compensation they can expect. The settlement offer will depend on who is at fault, the circumstances of the accident, the injuries that occurred, the long-term implications of the accident, and other elements.
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Types Of Damages Awarded In Car Accident Claims
The types of damages that can be awarded in car accident claims tend to fall into the same general categories: non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, and economic damages, such as medical expenses. These often hold true even for other types of personal injury cases.
The following is a short list of the types of damages that might be awarded as part of the compensation for being injured in a car accident:
- medical expenses
- pain and suffering
- property damage
- lost wages
Car Accident Rates In Sarasota
Sarasota is a city south of Tampa residing on Florida’s gulf coast. Today, it has a variety of cultural institutions. As of 2019, the population is 56,919. Like other parts of Florida, Sarasota can have its fair share of unsafe driving conditions. Sarasota experienced these traffic accidents in 2021:
- 4,785 total accidents this year, including automobiles, bicycles, and motorcycles.
- 2,725 people reported injuries after their accident. This number has also risen since 2020.
- Of these accidents, 33 resulted in death.
- Of these accidents, 1 was the result of alcohol and/or drug consumption.
- According to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, there were a total of 306 violations involving teens related to reckless driving or traffic crashes, a rate that is nearly five times higher than the national average.
Sarasota’s Worst Intersections
While no roads can guarantee 100% safety, there are roads in Sarasota County that Sarasota residents should proceed with caution. Be sure to obey any and all traffic laws. Sarasota County contains one of the most dangerous intersections.
- Tamiami Trail and Bahia Vista Street: This intersection requires drivers to pay close attention and proceed with caution, as multiple lanes run in all directions and shoulder traffic is common during peak driving times. In an effort to improve safety, the city of Sarasota recently installed surveillance cameras and stoplights at the intersection to catch dangerous drivers, as well as speed bumps and clearer road markings to alert drivers to the dangers of the intersection.
- Washington Blvd and 17th Street: The intersection is comprised of busy four-way traffic and crosswalks close to proximity to each other; this can lead cars failing to yield to pedestrians and resulting in a potential for accidents.
- Tamiami Trail and Beneva Road: Due to the lack of a traffic light or any other kind of traffic control device at the intersection, and the higher-than-average vehicle speed, this intersection makes it more likely that drivers may not be aware of other vehicles in the intersection, potentially leading to a collision.
- N. Lockwood Ridge Road and Fruitville Road: This intersection has seen numerous fatalities in recent years, with several people losing their lives due to reckless driving, or negligence of other drivers. Additionally, the wide lanes and heavy traffic can create blind spots, presenting, additional dangers. The intersection has also been studied and noted to be particularly hazardous for pedestrians due to the excess speed of cars.
List Of Car Accident Attorneys Serving Sarasota
The law offices of Florin|Roebig have a number of experienced, skilled, and compassionate car accident attorneys that serve areas throughout Southwest Florida.
The following cities are just some of the other areas of practice for the law firm of Florin|Roebig:
- Bradenton
- Port Charlotte
- Venice
- Lakewood Ranch
Our legal team is dedicated to the success of our clients and their loved ones by providing professional personal injury case legal services, including free case evaluations.
Five of the top personal injury attorneys found at Florin|Roebig includes:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Shaun M. Cummings
- Michael A. Ossi, O.C.
- John J. Hart
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Find A Sarasota Car Accident Lawyer Near You
Contacting a successful and experienced personal injury lawyer can help someone who has been injured in a car accident.
Consulting with Florin|Roebig about the particular details of their accident can position the accident victim to be successful in their auto accident case. Contact us today for more information and to schedule a free consultation.
