Sarasota Car Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in a car accident in or near Sarasota, Florida, you might be wondering what to do.

The aftermath of a car accident can be a stressful and time-consuming process. But know that you are not alone.

The Sarasota car accident attorneys at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk are here to help.

Contact us today to discuss your case and see what your options are moving forward. Doing so can be the first step in getting the compensation you need to work toward your recovery.

Injured in an accident and thinking about hiring a Sarasota car accident attorney? If so, you’ve probably noticed that there are tons of accident law firms that want your case.

But here are some reasons why we believe we are your best choice:

WE HAVE A REPUTATION FOR EXCELLENCE. That excellence has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report with a “Best Law Firm” rating, an A+ Rating with the BBB, and an “AV” Rating with Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest possible rating.

WE’VE BEEN AROUND FOR OVER 35 Years AND HAVE HELPED OVER 20K CLIENTS. When you hire Abrahamson & Uiterwyk to handle your Sarasota accident injury claim, you can be confident that we’re not some fly-by-night operation. We’re deeply committed to the Sarasota community.

YOU DON’T PAY US UNLESS WE WIN. It costs you nothing to hire our Sarasota accident lawyers. We only take a fee if we successfully recover money for you. We also offer free consultations. If you think you might have a claim, we are ready to tell you for sure.

WE’RE FREQUENTLY REFERRED CASES BY OTHER ATTORNEYS AND BY FORMER CLIENTS. We consider it a great compliment that our colleagues in the legal profession, and our former clients, think highly enough of our Firm to refer us to their friends and family.

WE’VE EARNED thousands of positive CLIENT REVIEWS. Perhaps the best indicator of the quality of our services is the kind words that our past clients have felt compelled to share. We encourage you to browse our reviews on Google, and to check out more written testimonials here.

WE ARE NOT AFRAID TO TAKE YOUR CASE TO TRIAL. Many car accident injury law firms in Sarasota want to settle your case as quickly as possible. While promptness is certainly a goal of ours, we will not hesitate to take your case to trial if that’s what in your best interest. We encourage you to check out our history of jury verdicts and settlements here.

According to the National Safety Council, there were an estimated 4.4 million car-accident-related injuries in 2019 that were serious enough to require medical attention.

Despite recent advances in motor vehicle safety measures, the fact remains that car accidents are a serious safety concern nationwide.

So, what should you do after a car accident in Sarasota, Florida? Here are four critical steps that you should always take after an accident.

Step 1: Stay Safe, Pull Over and Call the Authorities

After a car accident, it is important that you move your vehicle out of harm’s way. If you are safely able to do so, pull over to the side of the road to avoid any further collisions or damage.

After you are in a safe place, call 911. Not only is it important to report your accident to the authorities, but in some scenarios, it is required. Under Florida law, you must report any motor vehicle crash that:

Results in death of or personal injury to any parties of passengers involved in the crash;
Results in property damage of at least $500;
Involves a party driving under the influence;
Renders a vehicle inoperable to a degree that requires a wrecker to remove it from the scene of the crash; or
Involves a commercial motor vehicle.

Failure to report your accident can result in a traffic infraction. Thus, even if you are unsure whether the circumstances of your accident require you to contact the authorities, it may be best to do so just in case.

Step 2: Check for Injuries and Seek Immediate Medical Attention

After an accident, the health and safety of you and your passengers should be your first priority. Check for any injuries, and call an ambulance if there are any that need to be addressed immediately.

Even if there are no visible or seemingly significant injuries, you should still seek medical attention as soon as practicable. Some injuries, such as internal bleeding or head trauma, may not be visible to the naked eye.

Other times, you may not notice any physical pain due to adrenaline after your accident. Thus, it is crucial that you seek a diagnosis from a medical professional. Doing so can help identify injuries you may not have noticed and prevent the worsening of any other injuries that exist.

Step 3: Collect Potential Evidence and Information at the Scene

If you are physically able, you should always try to collect potential evidence and relevant information. In fact, some information, such as names of witnesses or photos of the accident scene, may no longer be available if you don’t gather it immediately after the accident. For this reason, it is important to collect what you can before leaving the scene.

Within 10 days after the crash, you must complete and submit a formal Florida Traffic Crash Report. This report must include:

The date, time, and location of the crash;
A description of the vehicles involved;
The names and addresses of the parties involved (including all drivers and passengers);
The names and addresses of any witnesses to the accident;
The name, badge number, and law enforcement agency of the officer investigating the crash; and
The names of the insurance companies for the parties involved in the crash.

By collecting evidence and information at the scene of the accident, you will make the post-accident process much easier. Further, any information you collect may later become useful evidence for your Sarasota car accident case. Use your phone to take pictures of the scene, any property damage, and any injuries. You should also take a picture of the other car’s license plate.

Step 4: Don’t Talk to the Insurance Company

The other driver’s insurance company will probably try to contact you and get you to make a statement about what happened. Remember that the insurance company is not on your side and that your words may be used against you later. The insurance company will want to record you, and have you sign various legal and medical releases.

Step 5: Contact a Sarasota Auto Accident Attorney

The fifth step you should always take after an accident is to contact a car accident lawyer in Sarasota.

While acquiring legal representation may not be the first thing on your mind after an accident, it should definitely be near the top of your list. Depending on the severity of your injuries and the complexities of your case, an experienced Sarasota car accident lawyer can be the difference between not getting enough compensation to cover your injuries and maximizing your recovery.

The car accident process can be long and complicated, but a Sarasota accident attorney can make all the difference.

There are a number of reasons why it’s important to contact an experienced car accident attorney quickly.

For one, to preserve evidence. Especially evidence of car accidents can disappear quickly. Memories can get fuzzy, skid marks can fade, and preserving as much evidence as possible is critical to maximizing your chances of a full recovery.

For another, after a car accident, the insurance companies have already begun working on your case. They have likely already assembled their vast resources in an effort to minimize your case, injuries, and compensation. To protect yourself against the insurance companies’ proven tactics, you need an experienced, knowledgeable, and aggressive advocate on your side.

Finally, if you wait too long to file your claim, you could lose your rights entirely. Florida has a strict “statute of limitations” for personal injury claims. If you fail to take actin in time, then your claim may simply expire.

Our team of car accident attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and others are available and ready to get to work for you. Get a free case evaluation with no obligation.

If you or a loved one was in a car accident, you may have a claim for relief. However, before you take the next steps, there are certain things you should know to help maximize your claim.

Be Careful When Speaking With Insurance Companies

Be aware that you are not required to talk to the other side’s insurance company. You have no obligation to answer their questions.

They don’t work for you, and they don’t represent your best interests. In fact, they will probably try to use your statements against you later.

The insurance adjuster might make you a settlement offer. However, don’t feel pressured to accept their offer until you’ve reviewed it with your lawyer.

When you hire one of our attorneys, you can tell the insurance company to contact us instead. We can review their offer and negotiate the claim to work toward getting you the compensation you deserve.

Factors That Impact Settlement Amount

Knowing what you may be entitled to recover is critical to determining how best to move forward.

While there is no average settlement amount in a Sarasota car accident case, there are certain factors that will impact your potential settlement amount. These factors might include:

The extent and severity of your injuries;
Whether and to what extent there was any property damage;
Whether you had any pre-existing injuries or conditions prior to the accident; and
The proportion of your fault in causing the accident, if any.

Depending on these factors, your settlement amount may fluctuate. Each case is different, but an experienced Sarasota accident attorney can help you determine what your case might be worth.

Is a Lawyer Really Necessary?

There is no requirement that you hire a Sarasota car accident attorney for your case. However, having one can be a great asset for you.

An attorney can assist in retrieving documents like police reports and witness statements. An attorney can also assess your case and potential damages and help you negotiate with opposing parties and insurance companies.

In short, a personal injury attorney in Sarasota can be an effective tool to help guide you through the complicated legal process and fight to maximize your recovery.

How We Can Help Win Your Case

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be a long, stressful, and often complicated road. But you can rest assured knowing that we will be there for you at every step along the way.

In addition to providing aggressive legal representation, we also pride ourselves on treating each of our clients as if they were our only one.

We will fight for your rights so you don’t have to. That way, you can focus on what truly matters—your recovery.

Through both settlements and jury verdicts, our team has helped thousands of clients get the compensation they need and deserve. We are honored to say that we have recovered more than $300,000,000 for accident victims throughout Florida.

While we can never guarantee an outcome for any given case, what we can guarantee is that we will do everything in our power to fight for your rights and be your advocate.

If you are ready to take the next steps in your car accident case, contact Abrahamson & Uiterwyk today.

Our team of attorneys and legal staff has been dedicated to helping accident victims in need for over 35 Years. We have helped countless Floridians get the compensation they deserve, and we are ready to fight to do the same for you. Contact us today for a free consultation, and see how we can help.

What Our Clients Say About Us On Google:

"I would highly recommend Abrahamson & Uiterwyk… Great experience! I was very well informed and guided through the whole process…I would highly recommend Abrahamson & Uiterwyk to anyone that has experienced a car accident. "

Danitza M.

★★★★★

Free Case Evaluation

What if I Was Hit by a Driver Without Insurance?

Getting hit by a driver who doesn’t have enough (or any) auto insurance can be frustrating, but don’t panic. There are still ways in which you may be able to pursue compensation. Don’t give up—talk to us first.

Will I Need to Go to Trial?

Most cases are settled out-of-court. However, some inevitably end up at trial. Our team of experienced trial attorneys has what it takes to take your case to trial. We will settle your case only if that is what is best for you. Otherwise, we will do everything in our power to get you the compensation you deserve.

What if I Can’t Afford a Sarasota Car Accident Lawyer?

We don’t want money to be a barrier to getting the representation you need. We take accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will pay nothing upfront. Thus, you won’t pay us any fees unless and until we win your case.

Most of the clients we work with are in a tough economic situation. After all, you’ve just been in an accident, and that is never easy on anyone’s wallet. Don’t worry. We are proud to offer The Abrahamson & Uiterwyk Guarantee: No Costs or Fees Unless We Win!

What Compensation Am I Entitled to in a Car Crash?

Auto accident victims in Florida can pursue compensation for any pain, suffering, or losses reasonably related to the negligence of the at-fault party. Courts commonly award compensation for:

Medical bills
Hospital stays
Time away from work
Loss of future wages due to inability to work
Property damage
Emotional distress
Disfigurement
Disability
More

What if the Insurance Company Contacts Me?

You are not required to talk to the other side’s insurance company or to answer their questions. They don’t work for you, they don’t represent your best interests, and they will probably try to use your statements against you later. When you hire one of our Sarasota car accident attorneys, you can tell the insurance company to contact us instead. The insurance adjustor might make you a settlement offer. Don’t accept their offer until you’ve reviewed it with your lawyer.

Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Car Accident Claim?

Yes. Florida applies very strict time limits on car accident claims. If you miss it, you’ll lose your chance to pursue compensation through the state legal system.

It’s also important to note that the time limit applies to the actual filing of the lawsuit. There is a lot that needs to be done before that happens, though, and it can take some time. While we will always work hard to meet your deadlines, it is unwise to wait too long on an accident claim. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can start taking your next steps together. Please don’t risk running out of time.

Motor vehicle accidents are responsible for a large percentage of the accidental serious injuries and fatalities in the United States, and the same fact applies to Sarasota County. The statistics below show just how common injury-causing accidents are in Sarasota.

When we take a closer look at the data, we see that of the 50 fatalities caused by vehicle accidents in Sarasota County:

6 involved bicyclists
8 involved motorcyclists
7 involved pedestrians
7 involved hit-and-run car accidents

Navigating through the insurance and legal process can be confusing and frustrating, especially when you are also dealing with injuries. More importantly, dealing with insurance companies without experienced legal assistance will likely result in receiving far less compensation or nothing at all.

The big insurance companies are not necessarily there to help you. They hope to pay injured victims the smallest amount possible. Having a highly skilled Sarasota car accident lawyer advocating for you offers you the best chance of recovering the compensation you deserve.

When working with our personal injury law team, you can expect us:

To conduct a thorough investigation of all the facts related to your case.
To identify all responsible parties and insurance coverages.
To file a No-Fault claim to initiate payments of your medical bills and lost wages.
To handle all communication with the insurance companies on your behalf.
To provide excellent communication by promptly answering your calls and keep you updated of new developments in your case.
To obtain all pertinent documentation to substantiate your injury claim.
To aggressively negotiate with the insurance companies to seek the compensation you deserve.
To fight for your rights in trial when necessary.
To never charge fees or costs unless you win.

Common Types of Sarasota Auto Accident & Injury Cases

Our Sarasota car accident attorneys specialize in various practice areas and injury types, such as:

TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:

Car Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Truck, Tractor Trailer and Semi-Truck Accidents
Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents
Rideshare Accidents (i.e., Uber and Lyft)
DUI Accidents
Wrongful Death

TYPES OF INJURIES:

Spine, Back and Neck Injuries (including whiplash)
Disc Herniations/Bulges
Shoulder and Knee Injuries
Broken Bones & Fractures
Soft Tissue Damage
Amputation Injury
Permanent Scarring and Disfigurement
Severe cuts and Bruises
Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries

$500,000 / Auto Accident / Back Surgery / Hillsborough County, FL

52-year-old male driver was rear ended by a limousine and pushed into the traffic in front of him. His back injuries required lumbar discectomy and surgical epidural steroid injections.

The highly-experienced Florida personal injury law firm of Abrahamson & Uiterwyk also provides:

Get Help Now

If you’re looking for a personal injury attorney in Florida, we’re ready to help you. Here are just some of the areas we serve – see our office locations here:

Get Help Now

Sarasota Car Accident Lawyer