Suffering extensive injuries in a car accident can be painful, traumatizing, and costly. If someone else’s negligent actions caused your accident, you might have legal recourse. Some of the ways a driver can be careless or reckless, as explained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), include:
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Driving fatigued
- Speeding
- Driving a defective vehicle
If someone else caused your accident and injuries, they should pay for your damages. Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, at (844) 730-0233, to learn what legal options you have and how a Sarasota car accident lawyer could help you.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
Immediately after a car accident, you will want to make sure that you see a doctor, even if you think that you have only minor injuries. Some major injuries are deceptive, and the shock of an accident can suppress pain. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), for example, might not show up until days after an accident. Receiving medical attention, either at the accident scene or immediately afterward, should be a priority.
A medical report can also provide evidence of your damages later in settlement negotiations or a court case. There are other steps you can take on the accident scene, and in the days afterward, that could help you if you want to take legal action later.
For a free legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving Sarasota, call (844) 730-0233
Calling the Police
Make sure the police officer writes down your side of the story. Try to be as accurate and as comprehensive as possible, as every little detail may be important. A police report can be crucial evidence if you are later looking for legal recourse and hope to recover compensation from a defendant and their insurance company.
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Collecting Evidence
Immediately after the accident, if possible, you should record whatever you can, as this may later serve as evidence. If you can take pictures of the accident scene and vehicles, including any damage, you should do so. It can also help to note down exactly how the accident happened in the first few days after the accident while your memory is still fresh.
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Witness Statements
Collecting the contact information of eyewitnesses and, if possible, witness statements can be crucial for your case against a careless or reckless driver.
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Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
You also have the option of speaking with a car accident lawyer as soon as you can after an accident if you are interested in receiving legal counsel. If you decide to hire a lawyer, they can enter negotiations with the driver’s insurance company. A Sarasota car accident lawyer can work on your behalf to evaluate any settlement offers you may receive from an insurer to make sure they meet your financial needs.
Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today for a free case review. You can discuss your accident with us as you consider the next legal steps you want to take.
Compensation for Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause financial hardship for an accident victim and their family. In Florida, fatal crashes caused a combined cost of $3.16 billion in 2005, including medical as well as work-related costs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
If you have suffered serious injuries, you may also have astronomical medical bills and lost income due to the accident. If you can hold, the other driver accountable for your damages you could receive several types of compensation, including economic damages. Economic damages include:
- Hospital stays
- Physical therapy
- Medication
- Loss of income and loss of future income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Repair or replacement of your car
- Transport costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses
You might be able to recover other economic damages. In addition, you could also receive noneconomic damages, particularly if your injuries are extensive or permanent. Noneconomic damages may include, but are not limited to:
- Mental anguish
- Physical pain
- Inconvenience
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Loss of a limb
- Loss of life enjoyment
In addition to compensatory awards, plaintiffs occasionally receive punitive damages in cases where the defendant acted particularly recklessly and with little regard to others’ lives.
Your Sarasota car accident lawyer can provide more detailed information regarding the types of compensation applicable in your case.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
While you may think your car accident claim is straightforward and easy to prove, unfortunately, the opposite is often the case. Claimants can underestimate the effort and legal knowledge it takes to hold another party to account without having the help of a legal professional.
If you add to that the fact that self-represented plaintiffs can be at a disadvantage, as the American Bar Association (ABA) explains, you may reconsider going it alone.
A Sarasota car accident lawyer can help you in a variety of ways while freeing up your time so that you can recover from your ordeal. Some of the ways in which we could help you include:
Proving Liability
Your lawyer can gather the evidence necessary to prove the other driver’s negligence and liability. A lawyer will investigate the circumstances of your accident thoroughly to build your case against the other driver.
Proving Your Damages
Your car accident lawyer will leave no stone unturned in their efforts to secure a fair and comprehensive settlement for you. This includes collecting evidence for all of your injuries as well as trying to connect the injuries to the defendant’s negligence, which will be crucial for your case.
To this end, your lawyer may need to communicate intensively with your doctors and possibly also expert witnesses. A lawyer will also ensure that all your damages are considered, including any noneconomic damages, as well as any potential future damages that may arise due to your accident.
Negotiating a Settlement
A car accident lawyer has the skills and legal knowledge needed to negotiate a potential settlement with the insurance out of court. In fact, this is where a layperson without the necessary experience and knowledge can leave money on the table. The result can be a settlement that will not adequately compensate for the plaintiff’s damages.
Representing You in Court
If it comes to a trial, you will be glad to have a car accident lawyer representing you. An attorney can help ensure that your words are not being misinterpreted or twisted by the opposing side.
Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, Today
If you have been in a car accident in the Sarasota area, and want to hold the person who caused the accident responsible for your damages and losses, Ben Crump Law, PLLC, might be able to help. Call our legal team today at (844) 730-0233 for a free case review.
We do not shy away from tough cases, and if you choose to hire us to represent you, we work on contingency. This means we do not take any money from you upfront. We only take fees if we secure a settlement for you. Give us a call today.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form