Accidents happen when we least expect them. In the aftermath of an accident, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, confused, and unsure of what steps to take next. During this difficult time, having a Sarasota personal injury lawyer by your side can make a world of difference. Their expertise, guidance, and support can help you navigate the road to recovery and ensure that your rights are protected.
If you’ve been injured in an accident that resulted from the negligence of another, it’s important to speak with a Sarasota personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. Here’s why:
Understanding Personal Injury Cases
When someone is injured in an accident caused by the negligent actions of a person or entity, Florida state law gives them the right to seek compensation for the damages (losses) resulting from their accident. These damages can include:
- Medical expenses (including long term medical expenses)
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
Personal injury claims are legal cases that arise when the injured party seeks this compensation from the at-fault party and their insurance company. In order to prevail in a personal injury case, you must be able to establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that:
- The negligent party owed them a duty of care;
- They were negligent in that duty of care;
- Their negligence caused the accident that was responsible for your injuries; and
- You suffered damages because of these injuries.
There are also deadlines for filing a personal injury claim in Sarasota. Florida’s statute of limitations only gives you two years from the date of your injuries (or when you became aware of your injuries) in which to file your claim. If you wait longer than that, the courts may refuse to hear your case.
How a Sarasota Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You
A Sarasota personal injury attorney can help you in every aspect of your personal injury case.
- Case evaluation: Your attorney will evaluate the facts in your case to determine if your personal injury claim is worth pursuing.
- Collecting evidence: An attorney has the expertise and resources to fully investigate your accident and collect the evidence (medical reports, eyewitness accounts, photos of the accident scene, expert testimony, police reports, etc.) you’ll need to support your claim.
- Assigning a dollar value to your damages: Once you know the full extent of your injuries, your attorney will help you assign an accurate dollar amount to your damages. It’s important to not only consider your current damages, but anticipated injury-related expenses (for example, long-term medical care or loss of employment) as well.
- Filing your claim: Your attorney will be able to handle all the administrative duties associated with a personal injury case, such as filing your claim, sending out demand letters, etc.
- Negotiating your claim: A Sarasota personal injury attorney will know how to use the evidence in your case to negotiate a settlement. They’ll bargain with the insurance company to recover the total compensation you are owed. Most personal injury cases are settled out of court.
There’s no law that requires you to hire a Sarasota personal injury attorney to represent you. However, people who choose to hire a personal injury attorney overwhelmingly experience better outcomes than those who don’t. In addition, most personal injury attorneys handle their cases on a contingency basis, so there’s little financial risk in contracting qualified legal representation.
Cases We Handle
When injured persons in Sarasota are in need of a personal injury lawyer, Tania Rivas and Rivas Law Group are here to help. Tania Rivas has been providing exceptional legal representation to clients in Sarasota and surrounding communities for nearly 20 years. Tania’s experience and commitment to protecting the rights of those she represents has earned millions in settlements for her clients.
Rivas Law Group has successfully represented clients injured in a wide range of Sarasota area accidents. In addition to Sarasota auto accidents and truck accidents, we’ve handled cases involving:
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Premises liability
- Slip and fall accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Construction site accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
- Product liability
- Defective medical devices
- Dangerous drugs
- Wrongful death
- Boating accidents
- Bus accidents
- Lyft accidents
- Assault
- Dog bites
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Sarasota Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Sarasota that was someone else’s fault, reach out to Rivas Law Group without delay. The sooner you speak to Sarasota personal injury lawyer Tania Rivas, the better your chances of collecting the total compensation you deserve for your accident-related damages. You can contact us online or call us at (877) 299-5539 to schedule a free initial consultation.