LOCAL (941) 924-0993
EXPERIENCED SARASOTA CAR ACCIDENTS LAWYERS
Serving Injured People Across Southwestern Florida
Car accidents turn people’s lives upside down every day in Florida. You may be commuting from Venice to Sarasota on Route 41 when you’re rear-ended by a texting driver. A loved one may have suffered serious car accident injuries after being struck by a drunk driver or while crossing an intersection.
At Farrow & Pulice, we understand that most drivers never expect to be involved in a car, motorcycle or pedestrian accident, but accidents happen every day – in Sarasota, Bradenton, Port Charlotte and other surrounding communities.
Consider yourself lucky if you escaped without injury. Sadly, car wrecks along the Gulf Coast sometimes result in serious injuries or fatalities. Knowing that these accidents can be devastating and overwhelming is what drives us to fight aggressively on behalf of our clients. That’s why we’re here. Attorneys Jo-Ann Pulice and Timothy M. Farrow have over 60 years of combined experience protecting the rights of car accident victims in Florida. Contact us today: 866-408-1220.
Founding partner Jo-Ann Pulice personally understands what it’s like for families who are facing the trauma of a car accident. While Jo-Ann was in grade school, her father was hit by a drunk driver from a wealthy family. It appeared the driver received preferential treatment because of her wealth. This act of injustice ignited Jo-Ann’s passion to fight for the rights of victims.
In a crash? Here’s what you should do.
Knowing what to do after a car accident can make all the difference in your injury claim. First, make sure the scene is safe. Then, take the following steps to protect your health and your legal rights:
- Call the police and remain at the scene until they arrive. The police accident report will become a key piece of evidence in your case.
- Take pictures of the scene, any property damage, and any visible injuries.
- Get names and contact information for any witnesses.
- Keep your comments at the scene brief and don’t say anything about fault. Don’t apologize, either, since that could be construed as an admission that you caused the accident.
- Even if you feel okay, see a doctor as soon as possible. Getting medical attention is the safest option for your health, and it creates a record of your injuries.
Then, contact us, before you talk to the insurance company. The sooner you get an attorney in your corner, the more effectively we will be able to protect your rights and investigate your accident.
We handle all types of car accidents in Southwest Florida
Licensed drivers may know the rules of the road, but that doesn’t mean all drivers are willing to safely share the road with others. There are many causes of car accidents, but all of them have one thing in common: someone’s careless or negligent behavior led to a crash. Whether you’re driving along Harbor Drive in Venice or I-75 toward Lakewood Ranch, you could become a victim as a result of someone else’s poor decision.
We represent people who are hit by drunk drivers, speeding drivers, and texting or otherwise distracted drivers. We know what to do if you were hit by someone who was fatigued or fell asleep at the wheel. Our attorneys understand the legal implications of different types of car accidents, including:
- Rear-end collisions: while many people think of rear-end crashes as minor, they can cause serious injuries, such as permanent damage to the brain, neck, or spine. Fault usually isn’t disputed in a rear-end crash, but the insurance company may downplay your injuries to reduce your claim as much as possible.
- Head-on collisions: when two cars collide head-on, the combined force can cause devastating injuries. Insurance companies know these cases lead to massive claims, so they put their best attorneys and adjusters on the case. We can match them shot for shot and prove that you weren’t at fault.
- T-bone accidents: a broadside crash can cause severe damage because the side of a car provides much less protection than the front and back. T-bone crashes usually happen in the chaos of an intersection, and witnesses may disagree on what happened. We are adept at investigating and getting to the bottom of the accident.
- Ridesharing accidents: when Uber and Lyft vehicles are involved in crashes, the insurance situation can be extremely complicated. Our attorneys know how to investigate the available coverage and find your path forward.
- Passenger injuries: if you were hurt as a passenger, you clearly weren’t at fault, but you can be caught between multiple insurance companies – and the driver of the car you were in might be responsible for your injuries. We know how to navigate difficult situations with discretion and integrity.
In short, no matter what type of accident you’re dealing with in Southwest Florida, we encourage you to talk to us right away. We need to start our investigation as soon as possible before critical evidence disappears and legal deadlines expire.
About Florida’s Statute of Limitations
The Florida statute of limitations imposes strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims, including car accidents. You must obtain medical treatment within 14 days after a crash to preserve your right to recover damages. Furthermore, in most cases, you have four years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Your car insurance policy may also require you to report the incident within a certain period.
Our attorneys urge you to consult with our qualified team as soon as possible so we can promptly conduct a thorough investigation of your claim while witnesses’ memories are still fresh and the accident scene has not been altered. Investigating early can help us better prove fault in rear-end collisions and intersection collisions. Also, we can more effectively subpoena vital records regarding the causes of the wreck.
We fight for full compensation for car accident victims in Florida
Car accident injuries can have a dramatic effect on many aspects of your life. It’s not just a moment of pain; it’s potentially months or years of medical care, time away from work, pain and suffering, lost quality of life, and so on. The insurance companies know the stakes, which is why they work so hard to downplay or deny claims. To them, it’s just business – your injuries are a threat to their bottom line. To us, it’s personal.
Farrow & Pulice takes a unique approach to every car accident case. We know how to find the right evidence to support your claim. We have access to top medical experts who will advocate on your behalf. We’ll pore over medical records and police logs – whatever it takes to help get your life back on track. We know how the car insurance system works in Florida and how to move claims forward to maximize your chance of success.
Usually, when the insurance company sees we’re prepared to hold them accountable, they offer a fair settlement. If they won’t, we will take them to trial. Either way, you can count on us to move your case forward and keep you informed every step of the way as we fight to make them pay for your car accident.
Let Us Protect Your Rights. Contact Farrow & Pulice Today.
We know there’s nothing unusual if you’re feeling confused, frustrated and even angry after being involved in a car accident. Medical bills add up fast due to ambulance and hospital fees. You may be unable to return to work. The person who caused your accident – and his or her insurance company – may try to say you were at fault or partially at fault. You may feel pressure to settle for less than you deserve.
That’s why you need to talk to a car accident attorney. Studies have shown that injured people who hire a lawyer recover much more than those who don’t. Even people who merely talk to a lawyer get more money on average than those who go it alone. Meeting with an attorney isn’t an obligation to hire them or to file a lawsuit; it’s a conversation about your legal rights and options. You have nothing to lose and potentially much to gain.
For more information about your rights after a car accident, call Farrow & Pulice, P.A. at 866-408-1220 or contact our firm online to schedule a free case consultation with a Sarasota car accident attorney. Our firm offers weekend appointments to prospective clients and we can meet with you in your home or hospital room if you are unable to travel.
Frequently Asked Questions about Florida Car Accidents
- Do I need to hire a lawyer after a car accident?
- Can a lawyer help me file an insurance claim after an accident?
- Why hire a lawyer after a car accident?
- What if I was partially at fault for my accident?
- Can I file a lawsuit after a Florida car accident?
- What happens after a fatal car accident?
Q: Do I need to hire a lawyer after a car accident?
A: You don’t have to hire an attorney, but we strongly encourage you to at least talk to a lawyer about your rights. You may find that the person who caused your accident denies responsibility. Insurance adjusters may try to say you were at fault for the accident. When dealing with significant injuries, you can’t afford to be taken advantage of by insurance companies trying to keep your payments to a minimum. Farrow & Pulice can help level the playing field. We understand Florida personal injury law and how to get tough with insurance companies to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve after an accident.
Q: Can a lawyer help me file an insurance claim after an accident?
A: Absolutely. You may find that the insurance company uses confusing or deceptive language, requires large amounts of paperwork to be filed, and pressures you to fill out these forms on tight deadlines. Farrow & Pulice understands what insurance companies are looking for after an accident. We are familiar with the tactics they may use to trip you up. We’ll make sure you provide the most accurate and detailed information possible – while not falling for the tricks insurance companies often play to keep money out of your pocket.
Q: Why hire a lawyer after a car accident?
A: When dealing with an insurance company on your own, you may find that you’re pressured or even bullied by insurance adjusters and other representatives into accepting an unreasonably low settlement that barely begins to cover the long-term cost of your injuries. Just because they’ve made you this offer doesn’t mean you have to accept it. As attorneys, we’re familiar with the best ways to uncover the true long term cost of your accident, negotiate with these insurance companies and demand the appropriate amount money on your behalf. Farrow & Pulice understands that your future may depend on it. We don’t just think about the impact of the accident right now. We think about how it will affect you years or even decades from now.
Q: What if I was partially at fault for my accident?
A: You have legal rights if you were partially fault for an accident. Under Florida Statute 768.81, which defines the state comparative negligence law, when a plaintiff is partially at fault for an accident, he or she is entitled to collect a portion of damages after the accident. While these damages are determined proportionately to the defendant’s percentage of fault, you may find that without an attorney, insurance companies and other invested parties pressure you into accepting more fault for the accident than necessary. Let us help you get the justice you deserve.
Q: Can I file a lawsuit after a Florida car accident?
A: Yes. After contacting Farrow & Pulice for your free case evaluation, you might learn that you have grounds to file a lawsuit against the careless or negligent party who caused your accident. We can work with you to file a lawsuit in the appropriate court. That decision is ultimately up to you, however, and we will only do so at your discretion, after all legal options have been explored. That’s why we’re here – to provide you with sound legal guidance as you pursue compensation. Keep in mind that most car accident claims end in settlements. We have a history of obtaining favorable settlements for our clients, but we also prepare each case as if it’s going to trial.
Q: What happens after a fatal car accident?
A: If you lost a loved one in a car accident, it’s imperative to contact an attorney immediately. With the help of an attorney, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the person or company that caused the accident. At Farrow & Pulice, our experienced attorneys understand how to apply the appropriate discretion when dealing with such sensitive matters while relentlessly and aggressively pursuing the compensation your family needs to move forward after the loss of a loved one. We understand that no amount of money can compensate for the loss of a family member, but we also know that a wrongful death claim can help bring closure. A monetary award in a wrongful death also can send a loud and clear message that the negligent behavior that took your loved one’s life will not be tolerated in Florida.
