Siesta Key is a tourist hot spot thanks to its gorgeous quartz sand beaches, and while the barrier island’s trolley system cuts down on car use, it still gets its share of accidents. Sarasota County, where Siesta Key is located, reported 6,821 crashes in 2023, which caused 4,026 injuries and 58 deaths.
People in Siesta Key can be involved in a car accident at any time. In many cases, these accidents lead to serious injuries and expensive bills. If your injuries prevent you from being able to work, you may lose even more money through lost wages. For many people, the most effective way to recover these losses involves filing a car accident claim against the party responsible for the accident.
However, filing a car accident claim in Siesta Key can be complicated. Read on to learn more about the Siesta Key claim-filing process and how a car accident attorney can help.
The Car Accident Claim-Filing Process
Filing most auto accident claims in Siesta Key involves the following steps.
- Document injuries and damages: Take pictures at the scene of the accident and keep any medical documents you get after having your injuries treated.
- File a police report: Call the police and answer their questions so they can file a report, which you’ll need for your claim.
- Notify your insurance company: Let them know you were involved in an accident as soon as possible and get documentation to file your claim.
- Gather evidence: Your accident photos, police report, medical documents, and more can help strengthen your claim.
- Seek legal advice: Before filing your claim, reach out to a car accident attorney to explore your legal options with a free case evaluation. You may find it makes more sense to work with an attorney.
- File your claim: Fill out the claim and submit your supporting evidence. If you hire a lawyer, they’ll probably file your claim for you.
Record-breaking trial attorney Shaun M. Cummings advises, “When it comes to car accident claims, timing is critical. Most insurance companies require you to notify them as soon as possible after an accident and Florida gives you 14 days to seek medical treatment to get coverage for your injury-related expenses. Calling an attorney early is also critical because some important legal advice may otherwise come too late.”
The Importance of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents in Siesta Key can cause serious injuries, property damage, and other losses that greatly impact your life, and it can be tricky to secure adequate compensation for these losses. For this reason, it is in your best interest to contact an attorney and seriously consider hiring legal help if you’re planning to file a claim.
Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer can help you:
- Navigate complex legal issues
- Maximize compensation
- Help negotiate medical bills
- Protect your legal rights
While some car accidents are very minor and straightforward, there are many instances where hiring an experienced car accident attorney is strongly recommended. These include cases where someone was badly injured, or less typical cases, such as those involving multiple parties, businesses, or cases where what happened is contested.
If you are thinking about filing a car accident claim, you need the right attorney on your side. At Florin|Roebig, we have substantial experience representing auto accident clients and we can help you or a loved one navigate the legal world to successfully file your claim and get compensated for your loss. Contact the experts at Florin|Roebig today for a free case evaluation.
State Laws For Car Accident Cases
Siesta Key car accident cases are shaped by Florida state laws, Sarasota County laws, and local Siesta Key city ordinances.
Traffic Laws
Traffic laws on every level are vital to determining who is responsible for compensation in a Siesta Key car accident claim. Police, insurers, and the courts may use evidence from traffic cameras, witnesses, and more to determine if a driver broke any traffic laws (driving while texting, speeding, running a red light, etc.) when the accident happened. If so, they will likely be considered negligent and, therefore, responsible for compensating anyone injured in the accident.
Insurance Coverage Requirements
Under the state’s no-fault law, all Florida-registered vehicles must have the following car insurance coverage:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): PIP covers 80% (up to $10,000) of all “necessary and reasonable” medical expenses for an injury covered under the plan.
- Personal Damage Liability (PDL): PDL covers $10,000 of another driver’s vehicle or property damage in an accident if you’re at fault.
The No-fault System
The Florida no-fault system not only requires certain insurance coverage—it requires that drivers involved in a car accident use their own insurance (a first-party claim) to pay for their injuries regardless of who was at fault.
However, there are cases where you can seek compensation from an at-fault driver or their insurance company (a third-party claim). This usually involves damage to your vehicle or severe bodily injuries.
Third-party car accident claims require injuries that cause at least one of the following:
- Severe and permanent loss of an important bodily function
- Permanent injury
- Severe and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death
Legal Remedies Available To Accident Victims
Siesta Key car accident victims can seek compensation in a few ways.
- First-party personal injury claims
- Third-party personal injury claims
- Personal injury lawsuits
You may need to file a lawsuit with the Sarasota County court if you can’t reach a compensation agreement with the insurance company. The lawsuit will usually end in a settlement out of court, but it may go all the way to court, where your case will be decided by a jury or judge.
Understanding Consideration Of Negligence And Degree Of Fault
On March 24, 2023, Florida adopted a modified comparative negligence standard, which means more than one person can be at fault in a crash, and someone’s degree of fault would decrease the amount of compensation they ultimately collected. Under this standard, if you’re determined to be more than 50% at fault, you can’t collect any compensation at all.
Attorney Shaun Cummings explains, “Let’s say you’re ruled to be 20% at fault for the accident because you didn’t signal before turning. If your damages were worth $100,000, you could only collect $80,000 under the modified comparative negligence rule.”
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Liability In Car Accident Cases
Liability describes who’s legally responsible for paying compensation when someone’s harmed in an accident.
Car accident cases in Siesta Key may use the following to help determine liability:
- Negligence: Usually, a highly negligent driver will be considered liable for compensation if they harmed anyone in a car accident.
- Strict liability: Strict liability is when someone is responsible for compensation regardless of whether they were negligent or intended harm. With car accidents, this usually comes into play if a manufacturer’s car part (brake cables, airbag, etc.) didn’t work as intended, contributing to an accident or making the resulting injuries worse.
- Vicarious liability: Vicarious liability is when one party is liable because of someone else’s actions. This usually comes into play when an employee causes an accident while on the job and the employer must compensate any accident victims.
Ways The Accident Can Impact Your Life
Siesta Key seems miles away from everyday concerns like car accidents, but no matter where one occurs, a car accident can be devasting, causing physical, financial, and emotional damage that can take a very long time to recover from.
Some common struggles after a car accident include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of intimacy with a spouse or partner
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Death of a loved one
Car accident resources in Siesta Key may include:
- Emergency services
- Sarasota Police Department
- Medical care providers
- Insurance companies
- Therapy and support groups for accident survivors
- Victim advocacy services
- Government agencies
- Nonprofit community safety organizations
- Car accident attorneys
Florin|Roebig has been representing unjustly injured individuals for over 30 years and has the results to reflect their experience. Their attorneys have won some of the biggest jury verdicts in Florida and have won an average of over $1 million in compensation per case. If you were injured in a car accident, you deserve fair compensation. Don’t hesitate to speak to Florin|Roebig’s legal experts with a free case evaluation.
What To Do After A Car Accident
The first thing to do directly after a car accident is to get help for you and your loved ones. However, if you can, following a few best practices can help make the car accident claims process easier and more successful later.
After a car accident in Siesta Key:
- Check for injuries: If you’re injured, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
- Contact law enforcement: You can legally report the crash this way and get a police report filed.
- Gather information: Try to get contact information from anyone involved in the crash and any witnesses.
- Document the accident scene: Take pictures and/or video, showing any vehicle damage and the crash scene as a whole.
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim
Not all personal injury attorneys have the same level of skill or experience. For this reason, it is important to make your selection carefully. The team at Florin|Roebig has been representing clients in car accident cases across Florida for over three decades and has won over $1 billion in total compensation.
Florin Roebig car accident lawyers offer many services, including:
- Case evaluation
- Legal representation
- Negotiation with insurance companies
- Litigation support
Florin|Roebig’s board-certified attorneys possess a deep understanding of Florida’s auto laws and have successfully represented clients across a diverse range of cases. By choosing Florin|Roebig, you can trust that your case is in the hands of dedicated professionals who will advocate for your best interests and work tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome on your behalf.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an attorney charge for a car accident in Siesta Key, Florida?
Most car accident attorneys charge between 25% to 40% of your settlement or court winnings. If you don’t win, they won’t charge.
How much can someone sue for a car accident in Siesta Key?
There is no maximum amount someone can sue for a car accident in Florida—including in Sarasota County civil court. To get a realistic range for your case, contact a car accident attorney.
What should I do if I get into a trolley accident in Siesta Key, Florida?
If you’re involved in a trolley accident, you should speak to an accident lawyer as soon as possible. The trolley company may be liable for your injuries, car damage, and more.
How to Get Help from Florin|Roebig Attorneys
The law offices of Florin|Roebig employ experienced attorneys who know how to collect compelling evidence and argue on your behalf. Their expertise and record-breaking settlement and verdict wins have contributed to Florin|Roebig’s listing as one of the “Best Law Firms in America” by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers in America for every year since 2010.
Our car accident lawyers serving clients in Siesta Key include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Shaun M. Cummings
- Luca G Esposito
- Taylor D. Roebig
If you are interested in seeking legal advice from our legal team, you can contact our offices to schedule an appointment.
- Our website, florinroebig.com, has an option for requesting more information.
- You can call our phone number 24/7
- For more information regarding our services and free consultations, you can email us at [email protected]
- Or you can reach us at an office near you below.
Fort Myers Office
9160 Forum Corporate Parkway
Suite 310
Fort Myers, FL 33905
Palm Harbor Office
Primary & Administrative Office
777 Alderman Road
Palm Harbor, Florida 34683
After a motor vehicle accident in Siesta Key, filing a car accident claim is often the best path to compensation and justice. Florin|Roebig has represented victims in car accident claims throughout Florida. We are strongly dedicated to our clients, and we always put forth our best effort to make sure every client receives the settlement they deserve.
If you have suffered injuries and/or financial loss because of a car accident in Siesta Key, our team is here to help you collect compensation. Please contact our office today to schedule a consultation or learn more.
