Venice Personal Injury Lawyers

If someone else’s negligence causes you to suffer injuries, then you have the right to hold that person accountable for the damages that you suffer. The amount of damages should reflect the amount it will take to make you “whole” again, or as close to it as possible. This is called personal injury law. At Buckman & Buckman, P.A., we have focused on this area of the law for more than 20 years.

If you believe that you or a loved one suffered harm due to the wrongful conduct of another in Venice or the surrounding area in Sarasota County, please feel free to contact us to discuss your case in a free and confidential consultation. You will speak directly with a lawyer – and you will continue to work closely with the lawyer throughout your case.

As a family-run law firm, we understand how accidents affect not only victims but their loved ones as well. Families share the stress about medical bills and lost income. They also must see their loved one go through great pain and suffering. Knowing what is at stake, our attorneys at Buckman & Buckman are committed to seeking the maximum amount of compensation for the clients we serve.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle for Venice Residents

Buckman & Buckman offers extensive experience in helping victims and their families to secure full and fair compensation in their accident claims, including:

• Car Accidents — Motor vehicle crashes are some of the most common kinds of personal injury claims because they occur on a daily basis. Florida is considered a no-fault state because motorists are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) automobile insurance policies. Still, a negligent driver can be liable for excess bills when a person reaches their personal policy limits.
• Motorcycle Accidents — Motorcyclists love Florida’s sunshine and scenic roads, but they are also susceptible to severe injuries when involved in crashes with other motor vehicles. In many cases, motorcycle accidents in Venice are the result of another driver’s negligence.
• Bicycle Accidents —While all vehicles are required to share roads in Florida with bicyclists, many bicycle accidents in Venice are caused by drivers failing to recognize the rights of bike riders.
• Truck Accidents — State and federal agencies strictly regulate commercial trucking companies. Because of the enormous size and weight of the vehicles, any accident involving a commercial truck is more likely to result in catastrophic or even fatal injuries.
• Bus Accidents — Florida is home to a number of different bus lines that provide essential public transportation for residents and visitors alike. Passengers on buses in Venice may suffer serious injuries when the vehicles are involved in crashes, but the occupants of other vehicles or even pedestrians can also be hurt by the negligent actions of bus drivers or the companies that employ them.
• Pedestrian Accidents — Perhaps no one has less protection from injury than an individual who is traveling by foot. Pedestrians involved in motor vehicle crashes usually sustain severe injuries that require several months, years, or even lifetimes of rehabilitation.
• Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect — Families place an enormous amount of trust in the facilities that they ask to care for their loved ones, and it can be incredibly painful to learn that a family member has been abused or neglected at a Venice nursing home or assisted living facility. Such facilities can be liable for the acts of their employees.
• Medical Malpractice — When a doctor, nurse, or other staff member commits a mistake that violates the expected standard of care, the employee and possibly the medical institution can be liable for damages. Medical malpractice actions are incredibly complex and involve following specific rules related to the use of medical experts.
• Slip and Falls — One of the most common kinds of premises liability claims are slip and fall accidents. These cases usually involve a property owner failing to correct or warn a guest about a dangerous condition that ultimately caused a person’s injury.
• Dog Bites and Other Animal Attacks — No one anticipates an animal attack. These incidents often result in severe injuries that have lasting consequences. Many people are hesitant to file an injury claim out of fear that the dog owners (who may be friends or family members) will be personally liable for damages. However, homeowners’ insurance policies usually cover dog bites.
• Dangerous and Defective Products — Florida is a strict liability state when it comes to product liability matters. This means that a manufacturer, distributor, or seller can all be held liable when a product is unreasonably dangerous. Product liability claims are usually based on a design defect, manufacturing defect, or the failure to warn about a risk or defect.

How Our Venice Personal Injury Lawyers Help Our Clients

Our team of aggressive trial attorneys at Buckman & Buckman are here to discuss the specifics of your case at no charge to you. Furthermore, our firm represents clients in personal injury cases in Venice on a contingency fee basis. So, we do not charge anything unless we win your case.

We can also handle all conversations with insurance companies involved in your case. By conducting a thorough investigation, we will have a clear idea of the actual value of your case. We can negotiate for a fair and full settlement.

Buckman & Buckman will also conduct an independent investigation so as to identify all responsible parties and, in turn, to identify all potential sources of compensation. Our goal will be to secure the maximum amount for you.

If an insurer refuses to accept liability and/or provide adequate compensation, Buckman & Buckman will be prepared to fight for you in court. Our firm will be extremely mindful of the statute of limitations that applies to your case and will make sure to explore every possible avenue of recovery.

At Buckman & Buckman, we provide personalized support. We want our clients to know that their case is important, and they are not just another number. In addition to handling their personal injury case, we can assist in other matters such as handling a property damage claim, dealing with bill collectors or engaging in estate planning.

Types of Compensation in a Venice Personal Injury Claim

Victims of accidents caused by the careless, reckless or intentional actions of another party may be entitled to several forms of damages. In most cases, a person is awarded compensatory damages, which are usually a combination of economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages refer to tangible losses a victim has suffered or will suffer. These types of damages can be calculated and proven, with the most common kinds typically including:

• Past, present, and future medical expenses
• Past, present, and future lost income
• Property damage.

Non-economic damages are usually much more subjective than economic damages. Non-economic damages are awards for claims that cannot be calculated or proven, and often include such awards as:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement.

Punitive damages may also be available. Under Florida Statute § 768.72(2), a plaintiff seeking punitive damages must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant was personally guilty of intentional misconduct or gross negligence.

In a wrongful death case, damages are awarded to the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. Wrongful death damages are slightly different because they compensate people for the death of a loved one rather than the effects of a serious injury. Damages in these cases under Florida Statute § 768.21 can include:

• Lost support and services
• Loss of companionship and protection
• Mental pain and suffering
• Lost parental companionship, instruction, and guidance
• Medical or funeral expenses
• Loss of earnings of the deceased.

Florida places a limit (or “cap”) on certain kinds of damages on certain cases. The state had imposed a damage cap of $500,000 on non-economic damages in medical malpractice actions, but the Florida Supreme Court ruled in 2017 that the limit violated the Florida Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause.

Florida Statute § 768.73 establishes that a punitive damages award cannot exceed the greater of three times the amount of compensatory damages, or $500,000.

Contact Our Venice Personal Injury Attorneys Today

Did you or your loved one recently suffer severe injuries in an accident caused by another party’s negligence? Do not hesitate to contact Buckman & Buckman as soon as possible.

Our family-run firm has been helping residents and visitors to communities in the greater Venice area for more than two decades. Call or contact us online right now to receive a free consultation. Our personal injury lawyers can review your case and answer all of your legal questions.