Venice Car Accident Lawyers

The roads in Venice and throughout Florida are crowded these days. More than 21 million vehicles are registered in our state. Unfortunately, when traffic increases, so does your risk of getting into a car accident.

Some collisions are mere “fender benders.” They do not result in injuries. And they cause only minor property damage. But many other crashes leave victims with catastrophic injuries. These injuries may require extensive – and costly – medical care. The victim may be unable to work for a long time. Unlike a “fender bender” victim, the victims of these types of crashes are left to wonder about how they will support themselves and their families.

If you have suffered severe injuries or if you lost a loved one in a traffic crash in Venice, you should immediately contact Buckman & Buckman, P.A. Our family-run firm understands the toll that these accidents take on victims as well as their loved ones. We have represented victims and families in Venice and surrounding areas in Florida since 1998.

We will aggressively pursue full and fair compensation for you. To learn more, call (941) 260-0097 and receive a free consultation about your case with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers.

Auto Accidents in Venice: A Look at the Numbers

If you recently were involved in a car crash in Venice or in a nearby area in Sarasota County, you are alone. Consider the following data from Florida’s Integrated Report Exchange System (FIRES) through August 2018:

• 241,342 total crashes occurred in our state
• Those crashes caused 152,807 total injuries
• And 1,761 total deaths.
• 4,087 of those total crashes occurred in Sarasota County, resulting in 2,321 injuries and 22 deaths.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety reports that the number of crashes, injuries, and fatalities in Sarasota County went up each year between 2014 and 2016. The three-year average for this period was:

• 5,977 total crashes
• 3,703 injuries
• 52 deaths.

Some intersections in Sarasota County are more prone to accidents than others. For example, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported in 2015 that crash rates quadrupled after the $3.2 million roundabout at Jacaranda Boulevard and Venice Avenue opened in 2011.

The bottom line: Even though you may be a safe driver, you can still easily get into a car accident in Venice or elsewhere in Sarasota County. A lot of careless and reckless drivers are on our roads. All it takes is a collision with one of them to change life for you and your loved ones forever.

Steps You Can Take After a Car Accident in Venice

When you are involved in a car crash, your first step should be to seek medical attention. You may think that you were not hurt. But some injuries have delayed symptoms. Additionally, if you wait too long to get treatment, the insurance company may claim that your injuries are not accident-related or as severe as you claim.

If you are able, some of the additional steps to take after a car accident include trying to take multiple photographs of your crash scene. You will want to take pictures from various distances and angles. Also, if any witnesses saw your crash, try to get their contact information. Should you be unable to return to your accident scene because of the need for medical care, try to have a friend or family member take these steps for you.

In the days after an accident, you will want to order a copy of your crash report from the law enforcement agency that responded to the incident. You can find links to obtain crash reports on the Venice Police Department and Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office websites.

Many car crash victims will be contacted by insurance adjusters representing negligent drivers soon after accidents. You should refuse to speak to these representatives until you have legal representation.

Your next step should be to contact Buckman & Buckman. Our firm can immediately handle all phone calls from insurance companies on your behalf and begin negotiating a fair and full settlement that covers all of your injuries. We never charge for an initial consultation.

Types of Venice Auto Accident Cases

Every car crash is different, with each one involving different people, different vehicles and different causes. While an accident will have its own unique characteristics, many crashes do share some common causes. Some of the most frequent kinds of accidents that our legal team handles at Buckman & Buckman includes:

• Distracted Driving — The most common type of distraction often involves a motorist texting or otherwise using a cell phone while driving. Many other kinds of distractions can lead to automobile accidents, including eating, drinking, smoking or adjusting a Global Positioning System (GPS).
• Drunk Driving — Florida prohibits all motorists from driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher. However, it’s half that limit for commercial drivers and only 0.02 for minors. Even if a drunk driver avoids a criminal conviction, the driver can still be held liable in a separate civil action.
• Fatigued or Drowsy Driving — This problem is common among commercial drivers who often spend long hours behind the wheel. Driver fatigue has the potential to affect any motorist who is not operating with full rest. A driver who falls asleep behind the wheel can risk causing various types of devastating crashes.
• Speeding and Aggressive Driving — Many people in Florida drive at fast speeds – especially on interstates and stretches of highway such as I-75 and U.S. 41 and U.S. 301 in Sarasota County. Speeding drivers can suddenly lose control of their cars, and they may be unable to stop on short notice.
• Uninsured Drivers — Florida requires all motorists to maintain automobile insurance policies with a minimum of $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 property damage liability (PDL). Some drivers operate without bodily injury liability insurance, which can make it difficult for victims to obtain compensation.
• Hit-and-Run Accidents — Florida Statute § 316.062 establishes a motorist’s duty to give information and render aid, and Florida Statute § 316.063 is the state law that spells out the duty upon damaging an unattended vehicle or other property. Violations of these statutory requirements can lead to a driver being charged with the criminal offense of leaving the scene of an accident.

In addition to the kinds of accidents listed above, motor vehicle crashes in Florida are sometimes isolated incidents that do not involve any other vehicles. Such cases may involve possible defective parts or improper repairs, and a manufacturer or maintenance company could be liable for damages in such cases.

How Our Venice Auto Accident Lawyers Can Help You

Many people assume that their PIP insurance policies will make the claims process easier since they are entitled to compensation regardless of fault. In truth, filling a PIP claim often proves to be far more confusing and challenging than most individuals initially expected.

At Buckman & Buckman, we can help you to file a PIP claim. Our firm can also pursue compensation beyond your policy limits. It is essential to understand that PIP benefits are solely for medical expenses, lost wages, and mileage reimbursement during medical visits.

Because Florida is considered a no-fault state, a lawsuit against another driver is allowed only when a case satisfies the “tort threshold,” which involves:

• Significant and permanent loss of bodily function
• Permanent injury
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Death.

An attorney from our firm will be able to conduct an independent investigation of your crash. Such investigations are crucial for preserving vital evidence. The lawyer can also get a full understanding of the accident and identify all possible liable parties.

Once your attorney has investigated your crash and spoken to your doctor to get a full understanding of the nature of your injury, the lawyer will be able to calculate all of the damages to which you are entitled. The attorney can then negotiate with the negligent driver’s insurance company to try and obtain a fair and full settlement.

If an insurer proves unwilling to compensate a victim fully, the lawyer can file a lawsuit. Buckman & Buckman works tirelessly to help victims to pursue every last dollar of compensation that they are entitled to receive, and we also assist clients with related matters such as property damage claims and bill collectors.

Get Help from Our Venice Car Accident Attorneys Today

If you were severely injured or your loved one was killed in a car accident caused by another party’s negligence, it is in your best interest to retain legal counsel as soon as possible. Florida places a four-year statute of limitations on car crash injury claims, but a person has only two years from the date of a loved one’s death to file a wrongful death claim.

Victims should immediately contact Buckman & Buckman, P.A. for assistance navigating the claims process following an automobile accident. You can have our car accident lawyers in Venice provide a complete evaluation of your case.