Personal Injury in Sarasota, FL
An unforeseen injury or accident can affect your life and your relationships with loved ones in many ways. If the injury was caused by someone else’s poor decisions making process, you may feel frustrated, confused, and angry. At Pallegar Law, P.A., we are here to make sure that you get the financial settlement that you deserve. Our Sarasota-based law firm handles all kinds of injury cases, from slips and falls to dog bites to car accidents. We will connect you with the appropriate medical provider so that you receive all necessary treatment to get you back on your feet.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
If you have been in a motor vehicle accident you probably have many questions. Our “What to Do After a Car Accident” page describes several important steps you must take after an accident. Take notes, take photos, and obtain the other driver’s information. Call the police and wait until they arrive at the scene. If you can, move yourself and your car out of the way of traffic. If you are injured, make sure you go directly to the Emergency Room via ambulance. In many cases however, neck and back injuries may not surface until several days after the accident. Do not provide a statement to your insurance company, and do not sign anything that they give to you until you consult with an experienced Sarasota Accident Attorney. We work on a contingency fee basis so you will not owe us a dime. We get paid directly by the insurance company once your case settles. So you have nothing to lose and no risk.
The state of Florida follows a no-fault system in regards to injury claims. This means that your own insurance will cover your medical expenses usually up to $10,000, even if you were not at fault for the accident. Every Florida driver is required to have at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This coverage can pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other non-medicals costs. PIP cannot provide compensation for non-monetary damages, like pain and suffering. PIP protects you as a passenger in another vehicle, and as a pedestrian or bicyclist. In the event you have been seriously injured and your damages far exceed the $10,000 PIP has to offer, you can file a claim directly against the at-fault driver and seek the full amount of damages that you are entitled to depending on that drivers policy limits. These damages can be both economic and non-economic, unlike with PIP claims.
The state of Florida assigns fault using a system of pure comparative negligence standard. This means that if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, your damages will be reduced accordingly. If you are found to be 30% at fault, your damages will be reduced by 30%. This is where a knowledgeable Sarasota personal injury attorney is especially important. If you received a ticket after the accident, insurance companies may use that to assign fault, even if the other driver was to blame. Selecting an aggressive and experienced attorney can greatly increase the amount of damages that you receive
Slip and Fall Injuries
Every Florida property owner has a special duty to make their property safe for guests and visitors. This also applies to commercial stores and restaurants that must protect patrons and customers from any and all possible dangers. A few different accidents fall under the category of “slip and fall”. These include: tripping over uneven surfaces or protruding objects, stepping and falling because of a hole or uneven surface, and slipping on a liquid or other slippery object.
If you have suffered an injury from a slip and fall, it is important that you contact an experienced Sarasota personal injury attorney. Many large corporations put up a fight in slip and fall cases so you need an attorney who is not afraid to fight for your rights. For example, commercial stores like Wal-Mart and Target have a team of attorneys working hard to protect their interests and avoid paying out many valid claims.
In the past several years, Florida law has shifted and made slip and fall claims more difficult to prove. In order to prove a slip and fall case, you must show that the property owner knew or should have known about the potential hazard. For example, if the problem persisted for a long time or was a blatant hazard, the property owner should have known about it and taken action to fix it. Slip and fall accidents are also subject to the rule of comparative negligence; if you are found to be partially at fault, your damages will be reduced. In these cases, your damages can include medical costs, lost wages (both present and future), emotional distress, and other related costs.
Call Pallegar Law, P.A. Today
If you or someone you know has been in a car accident, suffered a slip and fall injury, or was otherwise injured by someone else’s negligence, call Pallegar Law, P.A. Our experienced team has specializes in personal injury cases, and we take pride in helping injured parties get back on their feet. If you have been injured in Sarasota and are looking for an aggressive personal injury attorney call us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and options 941-893-5816