30+ Years of Car Accident Results
Car Accident Lawyer Sarasota
Aggressive representation for injured automobile accident victims
Between January 1, 2025, and August 30, 2025, FLHSMV reports that Sarasota County had 4,255 auto crashes, with 2,840 injuries and 24 fatalities. Under Florida law, injured drivers and passengers in Sarasota County car wrecks have legal rights to recover damages against negligent drivers, companies, government entities and other responsible parties. A Sarasota car accident lawyer will navigate Florida’s complex no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) system, help prove liability in car wrecks, and pursue maximum compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Why Choose Dannheisser Injury Law for Your Sarasota Car Accident
Car accidents are a daily occurrence on Sarasota’s busy roads, from congested stretches of I-75 to local intersections along US-41 and Fruitville Road. These car crashes leave victims dealing with serious injuries, serious medical bills, and a serious road to physical and financial recovery. At Dannheisser Injury Law, we are a local law firm engrained in the local community, having spent more than 30 years in Sarasota fighting for Sarasota car wreck victims.
We are a small law firm that delivers big results. Because we are a small law firm, we treat our clients differently than larger settlement mills. Unlike other law firms, every client gets direct access to their attorney. You don’t have to deal with a case manager at Dannheisser Injury Law. You will have your attorney’s cell phone number and email address. Your attorney will thoroughly explain the legal process and personally prepare you for litigation. Your attorney will also take the time to fully understand your case, your injuries, and how what’s happened impacts your life. Our client-first, personalized approach sets us apart.
If you or a loved one is injured in a Sarasota car accident, choose a local law firm with the experience, resources, and client-centric approach to represent you. Call Dannheisser Injury Law at 941-365-7600, live chat with us on our website 24/7, or contact us online. We offer confidential, free consultations where we give an honest opinion about your case.
Sarasota Car Accident Guide
- Sarasota County Auto Accident Statistics
- Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Collisions
- Types of Car Accidents in Sarasota
- Common Injuries in Sarasota Car Crashes
- Who Is Liable After a Sarasota Car Accident?
- Florida Car Accident Laws to Know.
- Compensation Available in Car Accident Claims.
- Steps to Take After a Car Accident
- Dannheisser Injury Law Secures $900,000 in an 11 MPH Car Accident
- Don’t Wait. Call Our Sarasota Car Accident Lawyers Today
Sarasota County Auto Accident Statistics
Between January 1, 20205, and August 28, 2025, Sarasota experienced a significant number of auto accidents, injuries, and fatalities involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, pedestrians, and bicycles. According to the FLHSMV during that timeframe, Sarasota County had nearly 18 auto accidents per day, with just over 8 of the accidents resulting in injury.
Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Collisions
- Distracted Driving. While there are no reliable estimates on the number of crashes caused by distracted driving, national police-reported data on fatal crashes in the United States in 2023 showed approximately 8% of all crash deaths were the result of distracted driving. Cellphone use while driving is just one example of distracted driving, and one seen particularly in younger drivers. Some studies estimate as many as 7.7% of drivers aged 16-24 years old have been observed manipulating hand-held devices while driving.
- Drunk or Drug Impaired Driving. Intoxicated drivers endanger everyone on the road. Accidents caused by drunk or drug-impaired drivers are severe and often fatal due to the recklessness with which they drive. In certain cases, the establishments which sold the alcohol may also be held liable for the injuries resulting from a drunk driver under Florida’s dram shop law (more on that below).
- Speeding and Aggressive Driving. Excessive speed, particularly when combined with aggressive driving, causes severe injuries when accidents occur. Whether on the highway or local roads, these car accidents are preventable and drivers should be held accountable.
- Driver Fatigue. Tired drivers have slower reflexes and possibly no reflexes if they fall asleep behind the wheel. Driver fatigue often leads to head-on or rear-end collisions.
- Hazardous Roads. Poor lighting, improper maintenance, and dangerously designed roads can contribute to preventable accidents. In these instances, government entities should be held accountable for the accident and resulting injuries.
Types of Car Accidents in Sarasota
- Rear-End Collisions. Often caused by distracted or speeding drivers, these car crashes commonly result in whiplash, back injuries, long-term spinal problems, or knee injuries if the victim braces their legs prior to impact.
- T-Bone Crashes. These accidents occur frequently at intersections when the at-fault driver fails to stop at a red light or stop sign. Depending on the speed at impact, injuries can range from minor to catastrophic.
- Rollover Accidents. Larger vehicles, trucks, and SUVs are more likely to roll over, which can trap occupants and lead to significant injuries such as neck and spinal injuries.
- Multi-Vehicle Pileups. Most common on highways such as I-75, chain-reaction car crashes often require significant investigation to determine all liable parties and handling multiple insurance companies and defense counsel.
- Hit-and-Run Accidents. Unfortunately, hit and runs are common in Sarasota County, with almost 1,000 of them happening between January 1, 2025 and August 28, 2025. Ideally, a thorough investigation can determine who the running driver is in a hit-and-run car accident. If they cannot be identified, your car accident attorney can still pursue compensation through your uninsured motorist (UM) car insurance coverage.
Common Injuries in Sarasota Car Crashes
- Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries, which you may not feel until a couple of days following the accident
- Broken Bones and Fractures, which require hospital visits, surgery, and rehabilitation
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), which can cause cognitive impairment, memory loss, or permanent disability
- Spinal Cord Injuries, which can lead to partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifelong medical support
- Lacerations and Burns caused by shattered glass, vehicle fires, or airbag deployment
- Other Catastrophic Injuries such as amputations or even death
Who Is Liable After a Sarasota Car Accident?
- Negligent Drivers. Drivers who text, speed, or drive impaired should be held accountable for resulting injuries and damages.
- Employers. Companies may be liable if an employee driving for work causes an accident.
- Government Entities. Local, state or federal agencies may be held responsible for contributing to a car crash due to poor road design, lack of signage, poor lighting, or unsafe maintenance.
- Vehicle Manufacturers. Automakers or parts companies may be held liable for accidents caused by defective products such as brakes, airbags, or tires, or for defective design such as gas tank placement.
- Alcohol Serving Persons or Establishments. Florida Stat. § 768.125 holds persons or establishments serving or selling alcohol held liable for injuries resulting from a drunk driver if the establishment or person furnished alcohol to an underage person or to a person habitually addicted to the use of alcohol.
Florida Car Accident Laws to Know.
Florida’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule.
As of March 2023, Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system. If you are found partially at fault for your accident, your recovery is reduced by your percentage at fault. If you are found more than 50% responsible for the car crash, you cannot recover any damages.
For example, if you are awarded $100,000 but found 20% at fault, your recovery is reduced to $80,000. If you are awarded $100,000 but found 51% at fault, your recovery is reduced to $0.
Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System: Personal Injury Protection (PIP).
Florida requires drivers to carry $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) car insurance coverage. This coverage is meant to pay for medical bills and lost wages, regardless of fault. However, PIP coverage is limited and often exhausted quickly after a serious car accident.
The PIP system can be complicated. Consulting a Sarasota car accident attorney ensures you don’t miss opportunities to recover additional money for your injuries, long-term medical care, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
Statute of Limitations for Florida Car Accidents.
Most car accident lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date of the car crash. This deadline, shortened in 2023, applies to both injury and wrongful death claims. If a lawsuit is not filed on time, you may lose the right to recover compensation entirely.
Evidence can disappear. Witness’s memories fade quickly. It’s critical to act as soon as possible after a car accident to protect your claim. Retaining Dannheisser Injury Law immediately following your car accident allows us to initiate an investigation, collect and preserve all evidence, and build a case to maximize your compensation before the statute of limitations runs out.
Compensation Available in Car Accident Claims.
Damages available to victims of car accidents in Sarasota include but are not limited to:
- Medical Expenses – coverage for emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, and future medical needs
- Lost Wages – compensation for time missed from work
- Loss of Income Earning Capacity – compensation for a reduction in future earning capacity
- Pain and Suffering – damages for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life
- Wrongful Death Damages – families may seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and emotional suffering
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
- Seek Medical Attention. First and foremost, ensure the health and safety of yourself and everyone else involved in the accident. If you suspect there are any injuries at all, call 911, ask for an ambulance, and get checked out at the hospital.
- Report the Crash to Police. Florida law requires reporting of car crashes that involve injury, death, or property damage greater than $500.
- Document the Scene. If possible, take photos, record videos, and gather witness contact information of the accident scene.
- Exchange Information. Collect and exchange details with all drivers, including insurance, license, and contact information.
- File a Claim with Insurance. File a claim with both yours and the at-fault driver’s car insurance.
- Do NOT Give Insurance a Recorded Statement. Insurance companies may pressure you into giving a statement. Do NOT do it. Speak with a car accident attorney first.
- Contact a Sarasota Car Accident Lawyer. An attorney can guide you through the claims and legal processes, collect and preserve evidence, and protect your right to compensation following a car wreck.
Dannheisser Injury Law Secures $900,000 in an 11 MPH Car Accident
Car accidents do not have to be high speed to cause serious injuries. In a case settled in 2025, we were able to secure our client $900,000 after they were involved in a car accident in Sarasota with an impact speed of just 11 MPH. Although the insurance company used a “low impact” defense, we successfully argued that our client’s neck injuries were significant enough to warrant such a substantial settlement. Ultimately, the insurance company agreed and settled the case for $900,000.
Don’t Wait. Call Our Sarasota Car Accident Lawyers Today
Whether you decide to settle with the other driver’s insurance or pursue compensation through a civil lawsuit, we are here to help you obtain the compensation you deserve following a vehicle wreck. When you hire our Sarasota car accident lawyers, you benefit from our years of experience. We have represented injury plaintiffs across the state and will put our knowledge and skills to work for you.
We have more than 30 years of personal injury trial experience. We also know that while waiting for their trial date, our clients often face financial challenges because of lost income, the need for vehicle repairs and mounting medical bills. We understand our clients’ challenges and we will never charge any lawyer fees until our clients are financially compensated for their losses. We want you to focus on recovering from your injuries, not your financial worries while we fight to recover the money you deserve. Let us use our resources and experience to help you get what you need while always keeping you up to date with the status of your litigation.
You only have two years from when the injury occurred to file a claim, so beginning the legal process immediately is wise. Our capable legal team members could answer any questions you have about a potential claim during a confidential consultation.
To speak with one of our car accident attorneys today, call us at 941-365-7600, fill out our contact form, or chat with us live on our website. All consultations are completely free, no-strings attached, and confidential. If we don’t think we can help, we will do our best to get you to someone who can.
WHAT Our
Clients ARE SAYING
I was impressed with their commitment to achieving results in a timely manner. They kept me informed throughout the process and always responded promptly to my telephone calls. From the start, it was evident they were focused on securing the best possible outcome.
I wholeheartedly recommend Dannheisser Injury Law Firm to anyone in need of legal assistance. Their dedication to clients makes them an outstanding choice.
Sarasota Car Accident
Frequently Asked Questions
What steps should I take following a car accident?
Immediately following a car accident, here are the steps you should take to ensure the safety of everyone involved and to protect your future claim for compensation:
- Call 911 and request an ambulance if there are injuries
- Request a police report through the Florida Crash Portal or local system
- Exchange information with the other driver but be careful with what you say to them or their insurance company
- Document the scene thoroughly, including taking as many photos and videos if possible
- Seek medical attention either immediately from the accident scene or when you reasonably can
- Notify your insurance company of the accident, but do not give a recorded statement or discuss your injuries in depth without consulting an attorney prior
- Contact an experienced car accident lawyer, like those at Dannheisser Injury Law, to assist you through the legal process.
For an in-depth writeup on this, check out our blog What to Do After a Sarasota Car Accident.
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Florida?
According to Florida Statute § 95.11 the statute of limitations, or how long you have to file a lawsuit after a car accident in the state of Florida, is two years from the date of the accident. This means that during the two year period after your accident, you or your attorney must investigate the accident, gather whatever evidence is available (more on that later), determine all of the potentially liable parties for your injuries involved in the accident, and file the lawsuit.
Can I still recover money if I am partially at fault for the car accident?
Car accidents happen in a lot of different ways, and sometimes it may be determined that you are partially at fault for the accident. In these instances Florida Statutes § 768.81 allows you to still receive compensation after the car accident under its modified comparative negligence rule. Modified comparative negligence allows you to recover financially for damages suffered in a car accident as long as you are deemed 50% or less at fault for the car crash. However, your recovery is reduced in proportion to the percentage you are found at-fault for the accident. An easy example of this is: if after a car wreck your damages are $100,000 and you are found 25% at fault, your recovery is reduced by $25,000 to a total of $75,000.
What do I do if the other driver doesn’t have car insurance?
According to US News, Florida car owners pay the highest insurance premiums in the nation, with an average annual car insurance rate of $3,289. An unfortunate result of these high premiums is there are a lot of uninsured drivers on Florida’s roads, with some estimates that roughly 1 in 5 drivers (20%) in Florida drive uninsured. In the event you’re involved in a car accident with an uninsured motorist, you typically can seek compensation from your own car insurance carrier under your uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverages. Additionally, you can likely file suit against the uninsured driver personally; however, it is unlikely that the uninsured driver will have the funds to pay whatever judgment you get against him or her. In instances where you’re in a car crash with an uninsured driver, your best recovery oftentimes results after you’ve retained a car accident lawyer who can navigate the legal process of filing a lawsuit against your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.
Will my car accident case go to trial?
After a lawsuit has been filed for your car accident, it can still be settled prior to trial. Most of the time, this is exactly what happens. However, in the unlikely event your case goes to trial, it would likely be for the following reasons:
- The complexity of your case – your case is more likely to go to trial if there is a disagreement about liability or proportion of liability between you and the defendant(s), if there are multiple defendants in the lawsuit, and if your injuries are complicated, severe and permanent.
- Insurance acting in bad faith – the willingness of the defendants’ insurance companies and defense counsel to settle your case for fair value
Who pays for my medical bills after a car accident in Florida?
While you have an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit pending for a Florida car accident, you are responsible for your associated medical bills. However, there are several options to help manage these costs during litigation, including your health insurance, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage when applicable, or medical liens. In the event of medical liens, medical providers can put a lien on the recovery of your car accident insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit so they get reimbursed their expenses from your ultimate compensation received.
Can I decide which repair shop to use and whether original manufacturer parts must be used in the repair of my car?
Yes, you have the right to decide where your vehicle will be fixed and the right to decide that the parts used to repair your Volvo, for example, be genuine Volvo parts and not comparable parts from a different manufacturer.
Why should I hire a Sarasota catastrophic injury lawyer?
Catastrophic injury lawsuits involve complex medical evidence, high financial stakes, and strong opposition from insurance companies. Our injury attorneys investigate, handle insurance companies and defense counsel, and seek maximum compensation through the use of medical and economic expert witnesses.
Who is responsible for paying for my rental car while my car is being repaired?
Although you may choose to use your own coverage for temporary convenience, the at-fault driver is ultimately responsible for all of your damages including but not limited to the cost of your temporary replacement vehicle. The replacement vehicle is to be comparable to your vehicle that was damaged. In other words, if you were driving a 2006 Pontiac sedan you are entitled to rent a comparable vehicle whether that vehicle is a Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota or otherwise.
Must I report an auto accident?
Absolutely. Call the local police, sheriff or Florida Highway Patrol. At your first opportunity, report the accident to your insurance company. Within 10 days of an accident, involved drivers must report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles if the damage to either car is more than $500, or if anyone is injured. Get a copy of the accident report from the investigating law enforcement agency. It will be very important in the initial stages of investigating your case.
What are my first steps if I am in an auto accident?
Do Not Leave the Scene – Do not leave the scene until law enforcement or medical help arrives. If you have hit a parked car, leave a note and an explanation along with your address and phone number.
Seek Medical Help – If you and/or anyone else were injured, seek medical help immediately. If you know first aid and can help the injured, do so. You may drive an injured party to medical aid. If the injured is in danger by remaining where they are, move them out of harm’s way.
Gather Information – Get the name and address of the other driver, his/her address, driver’s license number with expiration date, birth date and telephone numbers (office and home.)
Get the vehicle registration number, the name of the owner of the vehicle if not the driver, insurance company and the names and addresses of any passengers.
Identify Witnesses – If you are aware of witnesses get their identification information. If they drive off before you speak with them, try to get their license plate number.
Signing Ticket Not an Admission of Guilt – If a law enforcement officer issues you a traffic ticket at an accident scene, sign and accept it. It is not an admission of guilt. Contact your lawyer before you pay any fine or appear in court.
Photograph the Damage
Make sure that photos of the damage to both cars are obtained before either car is repaired.
Write: How It Happened
Write as you remember them. Include the date, time, location, road conditions and weather conditions.
Do I need to come into the office to meet with you?
No! We completely understand that your accident may have caused injuries that make it difficult to travel, totaled your car or motorcycle so you don’t currently have reliable transportation, or any other number of reasons that make coming into the office difficult and unnecessary. We are more than happy to meet with you at your home, the hospital, or anywhere else that is convenient to you. We also are happy to meet virtually via phone or video conference.
Call for a free consultation
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
in Sarasota For Help
When you hire a legal representative, they take on the stress of a claim so you do not have to. Our attorneys conduct our own investigation to determine what caused your injuries and build a case accordingly. We understand how the compensation system works for personal injury victims and could help you obtain the money you need to recover.
When you have questions or concerns about injuries sustained in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongful conduct, contact a Sarasota personal injury lawyer.
