Bradenton Car Accident Lawyer

With its sunny weather, sandy beaches, amusement parks, and numerous entertainment and recreational hotspots, Florida is a great place to live and visit. However, driving in the state can also be dangerous. Whether you’re commuting or on vacation, a Bradenton car accident or any crash in Florida can lead to serious injuries and financial hardships.

According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ Crash Dashboard, approximately 400,000 car crashes occur here each year, resulting in more than 250,000 injuries and 3600 fatalities. Last year, in Bradenton and Manatee County alone, there were 6,771 crashes, 3,137 injury crashes and 73 fatalities.

People seriously injured in car accidents often endure immense suffering in the days, weeks, and months after the crash. Besides physical pain and suffering, they often experience mental anguish, stress, anxiety and financial hardship. Their physical limitations, loss of income and other losses can be devastating for them and their families.

If you or a loved one is facing these challenges, you may feel overwhelmed and worried about the future. The trusted Bradenton car accident lawyers at Dennis Hernandez law firm are here to help. We have assisted hundreds of victims across Florida in holding negligent parties accountable and securing the compensation they deserve.

In the following sections on this page, we are going discuss when and how you should file a car accident lawsuit in Florida. We will also answer the following questions car accident victims and their families frequently ask us about Florida car accident cases:

• When Should I File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Bradenton?
• Do I Need a Lawyer to Help with a Car Accident Lawsuit in Bradenton?
• What Does PIP Insurance Cover?
• What Kind of Injuries Are Serious Enough to Sue for Damages in Florida?
• Who Can Be Held Liable for My Bradenton Car Accident Injury?
• What Damages Can I Claim in a Bradenton Car Accident Lawsuit?
• How Much Compensation Can I Get with a Bradenton Car Accident Lawsuit?
• What Should I Tell the Insurance Adjuster?
• Should I Accept the Insurance Company’s Settlement Offer?
• Should I Hire a Bradenton Car Accident Lawyer?
• How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Bradenton Car Accident Lawyer?
• What Should I Look for in a Car Accident Lawyer?

For answers to specific questions about your particular case, please contact the Dennis Hernandez law firm at 855-529-3366 or fill in the FREE CASE EVALUATION form on our website and talk with an experienced Bradenton car accident lawyer. All consultations are free, and you pay nothing until we win your case.

When Should I File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Bradenton?

Many different factors can lead to a car accident. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has repeatedly noted that drivers – especially those who engage in risky driving behaviors – are the primary cause of accidents. Risky driving behaviors known to cause accidents include:

• Distracted Driving – Texting, daydreaming, talking on the phone and other distractions are responsible for causing more than 3,000 deaths each year.
• Drowsy Driving – Driving when fatigued and sleepy is responsible for approximately 700 fatalities per year.
• Speeding – Exceeding the speed limit is not only a violation traffic laws, it is responsible for almost 9,500 deaths each year.
• Drunk Driving – Driving while under the influence of alcohol is against the law and responsible for more than 10,000 fatalities a year.
• Drug-impaired Driving – Driving when under the influence of drugs, both legal and illegal, is associated with more than 50% of serious injury accidents.

If a negligent or reckless driver caused your car accident injury, you may be entitled to sue for damages. In Florida car accident cases, liability is based on the concept of negligence. That is, to hold someone liable for damages, you have to be able to establish the four elements of negligence:

1. The other driver owed you a duty of reasonable care.
2. The driver breached the duty of care.
3. The driver’s breach of duty caused the accident that injured you.
4. You suffered damages because of your injury. These damages can be economic, as in lost income and medical expenses, and non-economic, as in pain, suffering and mental anguish.

If you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still bring a legal action against the other driver, as long as they were also at fault. Under Section 768.81, Florida Statues, partial fault does not preclude recovery of damages for injury. Instead, your compensation is reduced based on your percentage of fault.

When considering filing a lawsuit for car accident injuries, you also have to remember that you need to file within a specific time period. You usually have only four years from the date of the accident in which to file a personal injury claim and only two years in which to file a wrongful death claim, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a).

Do I Need a Lawyer to Help with a Car Accident Lawsuit in Bradenton?

If a negligent driver caused or contributed to your injury in a Bradenton car accident, you have the right to sue without a lawyer. However, an experienced car accident attorney can provide valuable guidance, negotiate effectively, and advocate for the full compensation you deserve.

The Dennis Hernandez Bradenton car accident attorneys can answer your questions, advise you on the best course of action, and handle your case so you can focus on your recovery. More specifically, we will:

• Thoroughly investigate your accident and let you know whether you should file a claim for damages.
• Advise you if it is in your best interest to file an insurance claim or bring a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver.
• Protect your legal rights.
• Gather evidence to prove the at-fault driver’s negligence, calculate fair compensation for your damages—such as pain, suffering, emotional distress, and financial losses—and strengthen your claim.
• Negotiate aggressively with the other party’s insurance company for the full, fair compensation you deserve.
• Advise you on whether you should accept a settlement offer based on the amount of compensation you deserve.
• Be fully prepared to fight in court and win a substantial award if necessary to secure the full, fair compensation you deserve.
• Promptly answer all of your questions about the case and keep you well-informed of progress throughout the entire legal process.

What Does PIP Insurance Cover?

All Florida motor vehicle owners must have a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL) insurance to cover their own expenses in case of an accident, according to Florida law. This insurance covers necessary medical expenses, including treatment, hospital costs, rehabilitative care, physical and occupational therapy, and 60% of lost income, up to $10,000.

If you are seriously injured, $10,000 will not cover your necessary medical expenses and other losses. To recover additional expenses and compensation for pain, suffering, mental anguish, and diminished quality of life, you must file a claim against the at-fault driver.

What Kind of Injuries Are Serious Enough to Sue for Damages in Florida?

Although Florida is a no-fault state, you can sue for damages if you are seriously injured. The Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law allows you to file a car accident lawsuit to obtain compensation if you suffered serious injuries that are permanent in nature, resulted in scarring or disfigurement, or caused the loss of important bodily functions.

Some examples of injuries that may meet the definition of “serious” under Florida law include:

• Broken and fractured bones: Bone fractures may cause pain, impair bodily functions, require surgery or other medical treatment, and/or cause chronic health problems.
• Neck and back injuries: The impact of a collision can injure the discs in your neck or back. The damage may be apparent immediately or may get worse over time and may require extensive surgeries and other medical treatments.
• Burns: When a crash causes a fire, the resulting burns may cause scarring, disfigurement, pain, and/or loss of bodily functions and may require extensive and long-term medical treatments.
• Brain injuries: Vehicle collisions are a major cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can cause significant and permanent disabilities.
• Lost limbs: In catastrophic collisions, arms or legs may be torn away or be so severely injured that they must be amputated.
• Spinal cord injuries: Injuries to the spinal cord can be permanently disabling, causing loss of function and/or sensation.

Filing a lawsuit is often necessary to secure compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain, and other damages. A Dennis Hernandez Bradenton car accident attorney will review your case and determine if you qualify.

Who Can Be Held Liable for My Bradenton Car Accident Injury?

Under Florida law, those who fail to exercise reasonable care are negligent and liable for damages. Drivers are typically negligent when they violate traffic laws, such as running lights, driving impaired, speeding, or failing to yield. If a defective vehicle part causes the accident, the manufacturer, parts supplier, or mechanic is responsible.

In addition, if your actions contributed to the accident, such as speeding or texting while driving, you may share liability. You can still sue for compensation, however, as long as the other party’s negligence contributed more to the accident than yours.

What Damages Can I Claim in a Bradenton Car Accident Lawsuit?

The damages you can claim depend on your injuries, medical costs, and their impact on your income, mental health, and family. An experienced car accident attorney can help assess the damages for which you may be entitled to compensation.

Generally, people seriously injured in car accidents can seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Physical impairment, disfigurement or scarring
• Current and future medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, tests, doctor visits, assistive devices, therapy, and medical transportation.
• Property damage
• Lost wages and other income
• Diminished earning capacity
• Diminished capacity to enjoy life
• Your family’s loss of your guidance, assistance and companionship
• Other damages recoverable under Florida law

How Much Compensation Can I Get from a Bradenton Car Accident Lawsuit?

The compensation you may receive from a car accident lawsuit depends on your case details. Our Bradenton car accident attorneys assess your injuries, costs, and impact on your life to determine a fair amount.

Our car accident attorneys have secured multi-million-dollar awards for injured clients and will use their proven experience to fight for your full, fair compensation.

What Should I Tell the Insurance Adjuster?

After a car accident, the other driver’s insurance representative may contact you. Their approach may seem friendly, but speaking with them can hurt your case. You might say something they can use to claim you were negligent, partly responsible, or not seriously injured. Anything you share with an adjuster or insurance representative may help them deny or reduce your claim.

An experienced lawyer can handle all communication with the other driver’s insurance company effectively and avoid this situation. Rather than speaking with insurance representatives, inform them your attorney will handle all communication. Our Bradenton car accident attorneys know their tactics and will fight for your maximum compensation.

Should I Accept the Insurance Company’s Settlement Offer?

Insurance companies often use tactics to delay payments and reduce payouts. They then pressure car accident victims to accept settlements that may not even cover medical expenses.

In these cases, an experienced Bradenton car accident attorney can be especially helpful. The Dennis Hernandez lawyers are skilled negotiators who recognize insurance company tactics and fight for fair settlements. If the insurer refuses, we will take your case to court to secure the full compensation you deserve.

Should I Hire a Bradenton Car Accident Lawyer?

Working with a trusted Bradenton car accident lawyer will help you navigate successfully through the legal claim process. Our lawyers will investigate your accident, gather evidence, build a strong claim, and negotiate with insurers for full compensation. If needed, we will fight for your rights in court.

We have years of experience helping injured clients win the settlements and awards they need. We are skilled negotiators and litigators who don’t back down until we get the results our clients want.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Bradenton Car Accident Lawyer?

The Dennis Hernandez Bradenton car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing upfront for our legal services. We only collect a pre-agreed fee after securing the compensation you deserve.

What Should I Look for in a Car Accident Lawyer?

When choosing a car accident lawyer, prioritize experience, a strong success record, and clear communication. Your attorney should be skilled, trustworthy, and committed to securing the compensation you deserve.

Most accident lawyers say they pursue justice relentlessly, but few match Dennis Hernandez lawyers in experience and success in securing full and fair compensation. Our team never backs down—we take cases to court when necessary and fight for what is rightfully yours. Insurance companies and their attorneys know our reputation and take us seriously.

Hundreds of clients across Florida have obtained the compensation they deserve with our help. We maintain clear communication, keeping clients informed and answering their questions throughout the process. With a history of securing multi-million-dollar awards for seriously injured clients, we apply our experience, knowledge, and skill to every case to ensure justice.

Get the Help You Need from a Bradenton Car Accident Attorney

Injury accidents can be devastating because of the pain, suffering and necessary medical treatments. Sadly, these challenges grow with medical bills, insurance forms, lost income, and other setbacks.

If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in a car crash, consult an experienced Bradenton car accident lawyer promptly. The Dennis Hernandez attorneys handle insurance negotiations, gather crucial evidence, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Many car accident lawyers try to avoid court, but we fight for the compensation you deserve. With us, you get experience, skill, and commitment to justice every step of the way.

Call us at 855-529-3366 or fill in the FREE CASE EVALUATION form on our website to talk with an experienced Bradenton car accident lawyer and get started on your case.