Sarasota Car Accident Lawyer

It is normal to feel overwhelmed and confused following a car accident. You probably have a lot of concerns surrounding the payment of your medical bills, the repair needs of your car, and whether or not you will be able to return to work. Car accidents are usually expensive for everyone involved.

The stress of dealing with insurance companies alone can feel overwhelming on top of recovering from any physical or emotional injuries. Working with a Sarasota personal injury attorney who knows how to navigate the legal system and insurance negotiation process can help alleviate much of this stress so you can focus on healing.

The Sarasota car accident lawyers of Chalik & Chalik can handle your insurance claim, take care of the legal details, and fight to ensure you get the maximum compensation allowed under the law.

Recoverable Car Accident Damages

Compensation will vary based on your case, but we can give you an idea of possible damages you can recover. The specific compensation amount will depend on factors like the extent of your injuries, lost wages, and medical costs incurred, as well as applicable law.

You may be able to collect the following damages:

Medical Costs

Compensation can include hospital stays, prescription pain medication costs, surgery expenses, doctor visits, x-rays, physical therapy, rehabilitation treatments, and other medical care necessitated by the injuries sustained in the accident.

Lost Income

Compensation may cover any paychecks you missed because of your injury, both in the short-term during your recovery and the long-term impact of any permanent disabilities suffered. An experienced car accident lawyer in Sarasota can help you pursue compensatory damages for your lost wages.

Awards may also reflect any future changes in your ability to earn a living or advance your career due to permanent physical or cognitive limitations caused by your injury.

Pain and Suffering

Your physical pain and resulting loss of enjoyment of life, as well as emotional distress like anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress, may also warrant compensation. The pain and suffering from injuries can be immense, impacting both physical and mental health.

Even after physical wounds have healed, personal injury victims may continue to endure psychological and emotional scars. Awards for pain and suffering are meant to provide reparation for injuries that often cannot be measured in quantifiable terms. 

Our attorneys will document and argue the full extent of your pain to maximize these non-economic damages.

Some damages are only available in cases where you are eligible to file a lawsuit against the negligent party. We can assess the liability aspects of your accident and advise on whether or not you meet the requirements to file a civil suit.

Property Damage

You may be able to recover costs associated with repairs to your vehicle and any property damaged in the accident. This includes reimbursement for costs like vehicle repairs, car rental fees during repairs, the diminution in value of your vehicle after being in an accident, and replacement of damaged personal property.

Wrongful Death Damages

If you lost a loved one in a Sarasota auto accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you could be facing serious financial challenges at the same time you are dealing with your grief and loss.

In addition to funeral and burial expenses and any final medical costs, wrongful death claims seek compensation for the lifelong financial contributions your loved one would have provided.

This includes not only their income but also things like household services, childcare, guidance, and companionship that can be difficult to quantify.

We understand pursuing justice during such a difficult time comes with high emotional stakes. Our team will handle every aspect of the claim process so you can focus on mourning without litigation burdens.

Filing a Car Accident Claim

Because Florida is a no-fault state, you will submit your car accident claim with your own insurance provider. The process will depend on the car insurance company. They may have specific requirements that you must follow.

It is important to be cooperative with the insurance company while also still ensuring that you get the compensation that you deserve. 

An Attorney Can Help You File a Car Accident Lawsuit

You may be eligible to file a lawsuit against another driver in certain situations if they were at fault for the accident. This allows you to seek compensation from the responsible party for the costs that exceed your insurance coverage.

Proving Negligence

Filing a car accident lawsuit requires demonstrating the following four elements:

• Duty of care: We must identify that the other driver held a legal duty of care.
• Breach of duty: We must demonstrate that another driver breached their duty of care via negligence.
• Causation: We must establish that negligent activity caused the car accident.
• Actual damages: We must prove that there were actual damages incurred as a result of a breach of duty.

What If I am Partially at Fault for an Auto Accident?

It is not always easy to determine fault in a car accident. In some cases, the actions of both parties may have led to the incident. However, Florida’s comparative fault law does allow you to seek compensation for a motor vehicle accident that you are partially to blame for, per Florida Statutes §768.81.

Your compensatory amount will be reduced by the percentage that you are found to be at fault by the insurance company or a court of law. An experienced auto accident lawyer in Sarasota County knows how to build the best case to show that the other parties involved were primarily at fault. 

This can help you to recover the maximum damages in light of comparative negligence provisions.

Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Lawsuits in Florida

It is also important to stay within the timeline imposed by Florida Statutes §95.11(3)(a). The amount of time that you have to file a claim with your insurance provider will depend on their specific protocols. However, all lawsuits against a negligent driver must be filed within two years from the date of the car accident.

Some rare cases can extend or shorten this timeline. Failing to stay within Florida’s car accident statute of limitations can result in your case being thrown out and making you ineligible for compensation.

Three Mistakes to Avoid When You Have a Car Accident Injury Claim

You might think that the financial value of your injury claim is set in stone at the time of the crash, but many things could happen later that could decrease the amount of settlement you might receive.

Guessing About How Much Your Injury Claim Is Worth Without Reliable Data

Personal injury lawyers have experience negotiating with insurance companies and access to databases that provide detailed information on past jury verdicts and settlements in car accident cases with similar circumstances to yours.

Factors like the nature of injuries, long-term impacts, medical costs, lost wages, vehicle damage, location of the accident, and liability all influence the value of your case. Without this knowledge and data, you may not realize the full value of your case.

With this information, you can settle for an amount that makes you financially whole rather than what an insurer may first offer. A Sarasota car accident attorney can analyze your specific accident facts against precedent values to obtain a full and fair settlement.

Contacting Other Parties Involved in the Crash to Talk About Who Caused the Collision

It is important to be careful about what you say to the insurance company, as your words could potentially be used against you in negotiations or even in court, should the case go to trial. The insurance company will be looking for any reason to pay out less on your claim or shift liability away from their insured, at-fault driver.

Even an innocent comment made in conversation or taken out of context could give them grounds to argue you were partially at fault or try to minimize the damages owed to you. Your Sarasota personal injury attorney is trained to handle the insurance company communications. 

Leaving the interactions to your lawyer ensures everything said will advance your claim rather than hindering it. You deserve to focus fully on your recovery without the added stress of worrying about what effect your statements could have on the outcome.

Thinking That You Can Get More Money Later

Many accident victims sign paperwork without realizing the consequences of those documents. When you settle your personal injury claim, you will have to sign papers that release the defendant and insurer from any future claims from the car accident. You can never go back and ask for more money for your losses.

Many other events could affect the value of your financial compensation amount. Your Sarasota car accident lawyer can answer your questions about how to protect your claim.

What to Expect When You Hire Our Sarasota Car Accident Attorney

If you’re facing injuries after an accident, you may not wish to deal with the legal legwork of a claim or lawsuit. We can handle every aspect of your case for you. We offer the following services to our clients:

Complimentary Consultation

You likely have a lot of questions following the accident. You may be dealing with medical concerns and vehicle damages while attempting to navigate Florida’s laws. A free consultation allows us to get to know you and the details of your case. We can also give you the opportunity to ask any questions you might have about the legal process.

Collecting Important Documents

Documents are often needed to demonstrate injuries, damages, and fault. Whether you are filing a claim with your insurance company or filing a lawsuit, it is necessary to collect supporting documents.

We may assist you in retrieving these important documents:

• Medical records
• Police report
• Claims adjuster report
• Income statement
• Witness statements
• Expert witness reports

Communicating with Insurance Companies

Consistent communication is important when dealing with insurance companies to ensure a timely and fair payout. Your insurance company may have specific requirements that need to be followed, including:

• Filing a claim within a set period of time
• Seeing an approved physician
• Filing specific documents.

On the other hand, you could also face complications as you proceed with an insurance claim. For instance, an insurer may try to offer you a lower settlement than your case truly warrants.

We can fight for every dollar available in your case and negotiate for your fair compensation. We will handle all communications with the insurance companies while you focus on your health.

Testimonials from Our Injury Clients

You do not have to base your decision about a law firm on what we say about ourselves. Here are some of the many client testimonials:

• “Chalik & Chalik law firm was the greatest decision my family and I made! Long story short within the same day of our accident we were already scheduled to start our therapy sessions and were able to go back home feeling better, not only physically, but with peace of mind that we were in good hands. Thanks again Chalik & Chalik!!!” Wladimir M.
• “Definitely very professional. In particular, I thank Ms. Sylvia for her excellent work on my case. She always kept me informed and responded to my calls and questions with kindness and professionalism. I am very grateful to her and to Chalik & Chalik. THANK YOU!” Ana Maria D.

Call Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers to Work With a Car Accident Lawyer

The process of making a claim or filing a lawsuit can be complicated and time-consuming. Our legal team is experienced in the intricacies of car accident cases, and we can provide you with the legal advice, service, and representation you need to achieve a successful outcome for your claim.

A consultation to learn more about your case and your potential financial damages is free, and our firm works on a contingency fee basis, so there is no out-of-pocket cost to you. 

Our experienced attorneys may be able to help you if you were in a car accident. We take pride in treating our clients like family. When you choose Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers, you can expect to work with our firm’s partners. You will also get guidance from a team that has won million-dollar settlements. Contact us today.