Take advantage of the services of a Sarasota Car Accident Lawyer
A Sarasota car accident lawyer can help you recover damages attributed to car accidents here in Florida. Those who share the road with you here in Sarasota maintain a legal obligation to keep others safe while adhering to local traffic laws. When the negligence of others results in personal injuries, a lawsuit can help recover the damages you have experienced through no fault of your own.
Gerber Law remains your first choice for personal injury representation, capable of holding negligent parties accountable and obtaining the compensation you are legally entitled to. Learn more about the work we do and begin to learn why retaining a qualified personal injury attorney is the first step to moving on from this challenging chapter of your life.
Take part in an entirely free, no-obligation consultation call today. Contact Gerber Law now.
Gerber Law: Your Sarasota Accident Attorney
Gerber Law continues to offer passionate and personalized legal representation, dedicated to treating each case with the careful dedication it deserves. You are so much more than a case number, but instead a person, as we understand the long list of emotions you are likely experiencing after a serious auto-collision.
As such, you deserve the very best legal representation from attorneys who have first-hand experience of accident cases just like yours. We have continued to offer trusted legal guidance for accident victims for over 30 years, working on behalf of clients right here in Sarasota, Florida. Take advantage of compassionate and caring legal representation that will fight for your best interests and secure compensation that will help you and your family move on from these challenging times.
How an Auto Accident Lawyer in Sarasota Can Help
Auto collisions here in Sarasota remain a complex problem, putting everyday people at risk, including both drivers and pedestrians. The fellow drivers you share the road with have a duty to each other to carefully follow road signs, obey traffic laws, and drive within posted speed limits. Those who fail to follow these local traffic laws and, as a result, cause harm to others, expose themselves to a lawsuit on behalf of the injured parties.
The injuries you have sustained due to another party’s negligence should not be your responsibility, and Florida’s personal injury laws dictate the amount of compensation that you are entitled to. Law firms, including Gerber Law, can facilitate a lawsuit on your behalf, carefully researching the relevant details of your case and then suing the responsible driver.
Our firm has represented countless victims who have experienced serious injuries on Sarasota roads, securing favorable compensation that is reflective of the state’s personal injury laws. We offer comprehensive legal assistance for car accident victims, providing full-service legal assistance so you can focus on more important matters. Gerber Law handles the many details of your case while you and your family focus on recovery, rather than handling the fine details of a lawsuit.
Understanding What’s At Stake in a Florida Auto Collision
Victims of serious auto collisions will quickly understand that their medical bills associated with their accident are simply unaffordable for the average person. The mounting costs of hospital stays, surgeries, and at-home care will quickly become something that is simply not within your budget, requiring compensation that can only be secured via a lawsuit.
Further, serious auto collisions can have lingering effects for years, calling for specialized care, therapy, and even expensive in-house care that can be considered in a lawsuit.
Lost income and your family’s future
More importantly, should an accident limit your ability to work, you will have no means of supporting your family, putting food on the table, and making your mortgage payments.
A personal injury lawsuit can provide answers to the endless questions you have, painting a clear picture of how you and your family can move on from these challenging times. It remains well within your legal rights to maintain experienced and sound legal representation, where you can find solutions to the costs associated with your injuries that simply can’t be paid out of pocket.
Recoverable Personal Injury Damages in Sarasota
Many damages can be recovered from a serious auto collision here in Florida, largely dependent on the circumstances of your case and the types of injuries you have experienced through no fault of your own. These are some of the damages that can be recovered with a personal injury lawsuit facilitated on behalf of Gerber Law:
- Immediate Medical Expenses: Including hospital bills and the costs associated with emergency surgery.
- Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity: Should the injuries associated with your accident limit your ability to work, these too can be recovered via a lawsuit.
- Long-Term Rehabilitative Care: Which can include specialized therapy and the installation of assistive devices in your home.
- Pain and Suffering: Sometimes referred to generally as non-economic damages, this can include emotional distress and the loss of enjoyment of life.
- Transportation Costs: Along with other miscellaneous costs associated with receiving care related to your injuries.
- Loss of Consortium: Sometimes referred to as loss of companionship, a non-economic damage associated with the accidental death of a parent or spouse.
Your attorney is tasked with assessing the full expenses related to your auto injury accident. Properly assessing such damages takes time, and your attorney will work closely alongside you to determine the types of damages your lawsuit can recover.
Fault and Liability in Accident Cases in Sarasota, Florida
Not all auto collisions fall under the responsibility of a driver. In some cases, there are other elements at play that lead to a serious auto collision. In Sarasota, there are times when other parties can be deemed negligent, including manufacturers of vehicles or public entities, such as municipal governments.
An attorney must determine exactly who was at fault for your personal injuries, conducting deep research into what transpired on the day of your accident. In some cases, a fellow driver isn’t the one responsible for your injuries, but instead, manufacturing defects, malfunctioning traffic signals, or roadways that weren’t properly maintained. These matters can grow to be complex, often taking several weeks or months to fully research.
Why early legal help matters
As such, early legal intervention gives the time necessary to properly research the relevant details of your case and pinpoint who is to blame for your injuries. It remains in your best interests to speak with an attorney as soon as reasonably possible after an accident. Don’t hesitate, and if you are unable to contact a law firm due to your injuries, request that a close family member or neighbor reach out to a law firm for you.
Insurance Claims Management From Gerber Law
In many cases, victims of serious auto collisions face complications with their insurance company, experiencing denied claims or being offered small settlement amounts. Gerber Law can work directly alongside you for such issues, communicating with insurance companies on your behalf and holding them accountable for the policies they offer. The power dynamics between the victim of an auto collision and an insurance company can be daunting to face alone, and your legal representation can ensure you are treated fairly throughout every detail of your interactions with insurance companies.
Steps To Take Following an Auto Collision in Sarasota, Florida
Follow these steps immediately after an auto collision in Sarasota, Florida:
- Get to Safety: Immediately following an auto collision, ensure your own individual safety. Pull over to the side of the road, remove yourself from dangerous situations, and await emergency services.
- Gather Evidence: Should you be able to, begin to collect relevant information about your auto collision, including what transpired, contact information of the driver(s) involved, and contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident. Take note of where it occurred, including what time the collision occurred. Should you be able to, take photographs of the collision, including damage to your vehicle.
- Seek Out The Care You Need: Receive the care you need following an accident and carefully document all expenses you have incurred as a result of the collision.
- Contact a Local Personal Injury Law Firm: Should you be seriously injured due to another party’s negligence, it remains in your best interests to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as reasonably possible. Early legal intervention is a key element to a successful case, and you should make it a priority to reach out to Gerber Law immediately following an accident.
Your attorney will handle the details of your case, allowing you to focus on more important matters while they work on your behalf.
Navigate the Legal System with a Car Accident Lawyer Sarasota
Each personal injury case is unique, and your attorney will need to conduct deep research into the relevant circumstances of your case to pinpoint liability and work to file a lawsuit on your behalf. The legal process here in Sarasota can be confusing, even for people who are not recovering from a serious accident. Our team files the appropriate legal paperwork for you, navigating court proceedings and often working directly alongside a defendant’s legal representation to secure a fair settlement amount.
Legal help with very little upfront cost
Many personal injury attorneys work on contingency, being paid only in the event your case is successful. This means that any accident victims can take advantage of the services of a personal injury attorney with very little upfront costs. The legal services of Gerber Law remain accessible to anyone here in Sarasota, even to those with limited financial resources.
Why Choose Gerber Law Group
Gerber Law maintains a deep track record of success in handling car accident cases locally, here in Sarasota. We pride ourselves on our communication abilities, collaborating directly with clients throughout every step of their case. Our approach to client care remains unmatched, offering compassionate and dedicated legal representation focused on securing fair compensation that you rightfully deserve.
Our deep community roots mean we maintain local expertise, highly familiar with Sarasota court systems and the challenges you are facing here locally. With a passion for client satisfaction and justice, we are certain that our firm is the right choice to represent you during these challenging times.
Sarasota Car Accident FAQs
These answers give general information, not legal advice. Every crash is different, so call (941) 484-2700 to talk about yours.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Florida?
Time limits apply, and they are strict. Under Florida Statutes § 95.11, most negligence lawsuits, including Sarasota County car accident injury claims, must be filed within two years of the accident. Some claims follow different rules. Claims involving a government entity, for example, have their own special notice requirements, and older crashes may follow other timelines. Because missing a deadline can end a claim, call us soon so we can review the dates that apply to you.
Do I have to use my own PIP insurance first?
In most cases, yes. Florida is a no-fault state, so after a crash your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage generally pays first toward your medical bills and some lost income, no matter who caused the collision. PIP has its own rules about getting medical care promptly, so see a doctor right away. When your injuries are serious and another driver was negligent, you may be able to pursue a claim for losses beyond PIP. Our guide to Florida’s PIP law explains more.
What if the other driver had no insurance?
You may still have options. Your own PIP coverage generally applies regardless of fault. If you carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage, it may help pay for losses the at-fault driver cannot cover, such as pain and suffering and lost wages beyond PIP. UM coverage is optional in Florida, so check your policy. Other sources, like MedPay coverage or another responsible party, may also apply. Bring your insurance paperwork to your free consultation, and we will help you review what is available.
How much does a Sarasota car accident lawyer cost?
Gerber Law handles car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means there is no upfront payment, and unless we recover compensation for you, no money is owed for our services. The fee is paid at the end of the case and is based on a share of the amount recovered. Every term is written into a contract and explained to you in full before you sign. Learn more in our guide to understanding contingency fees.
What if I was partly at fault for the crash?
You may still be able to recover compensation. Florida uses a comparative fault system, which means your compensation can be reduced by your share of the blame. If you are found mostly at fault, though, you may not be able to recover at all. Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto injured drivers to lower what they pay, so be careful about discussing fault with an adjuster. Read more about recovering damages when you are partially at fault.
Should I give a recorded statement to the insurance company?
It is wise to talk with a lawyer first. Adjusters for the other driver’s insurance company may ask for a recorded statement soon after the crash, and your words can later be used to dispute your injuries or shift blame. You are generally not required to give one to the other driver’s insurer. Your own policy may require you to cooperate with your insurer, so know your obligations first. Gerber Law can communicate with insurance companies on your behalf and push for fair treatment.
How long does a Sarasota car accident case take?
Every case is different. Timing depends on how serious your injuries are, how long treatment lasts, and how the insurance company responds. Many claims settle through negotiation, while others need a lawsuit and more time. It often makes sense to understand the full extent of your injuries before settling, since a claim usually cannot be reopened later. You will always work directly with your lawyer. Learn more about how long it takes to settle a car accident case.
Where is my case filed?
Many car accident claims are resolved through insurance negotiations without going to trial. If a lawsuit is needed, it is usually filed in the county where the crash happened or where the at-fault driver lives. For a crash on Sarasota roads, that often means Sarasota County, which is part of Florida’s Twelfth Judicial Circuit. The right court can also depend on the size of the claim. Our team files the appropriate legal paperwork for you and guides you through court proceedings.
Contact Our Sarasota Car Accident Attorney Today
The process begins with a simple phone call or email to Gerber Law. Our firm remains available at all hours, capable of serving clients on short notice. We often work closely with the family members and friends of accident victims who contact us on their behalf. There is no reason for you to handle these matters on your own, and Gerber Law remains your close partner in securing fair compensation and holding negligent parties accountable for their actions.
Call or email us day or night, either by calling 941-484-2700 or via email by visiting our contact page. There is no risk for simply speaking with us, as our consultations can help you better understand what legal options are available to you.
