When you’ve been hurt because of someone else’s carelessness, the days that follow can feel like a blur. Medical appointments, missed work, mounting bills, and an insurance company that seems more interested in protecting itself than helping you. It’s a lot to deal with at once.
A personal injury claim is a legal action you bring when someone else’s negligence causes you harm. Negligence means a person or company failed to act with reasonable care, and that failure led directly to your injury.
Florida law gives injured people the right to seek compensation (called damages) for what they’ve lost. Those damages can include:
Our job is to document your losses thoroughly and present a claim that reflects the full impact on your life. We don’t simply accept what the insurance company is willing to hand over if it doesn’t cover all of your expenses and losses.
Shapiro | Delgado represents people injured in a wide range of accidents throughout the Sarasota area. Some of the common claims we see include:
Car accidents are one of the most common causes of serious injury in Florida. Whether it happened on I-75, along Fruitville Road, or at a busy intersection in downtown Sarasota, a collision caused by a distracted, reckless, or impaired driver can leave you with injuries that take months or years to fully recover from. Working with an experienced Sarasota car accident attorney can make a significant difference in how your claim is handled and the outcome you receive.
We help car accident victims document their losses, deal with insurance companies, and pursue the compensation they’re owed.
Motorcyclists face real dangers on Florida roads, and when a crash happens, the injuries are often severe. Broken bones, road rash, and traumatic brain injuries are common outcomes when a rider goes down.
We understand how insurance companies tend to treat motorcycle accident claims, and we know how to push back when they try to minimize what you’re owed. Following the right tips for dealing with insurance companies can make a significant difference in protecting your claim and avoiding costly mistakes.
Being hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian can cause devastating injuries. Sarasota’s growing population means more foot traffic near areas like St. Armands Circle and along busy corridors where pedestrian safety isn’t always what it should be.
If a driver struck you while you were walking, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries, and pedestrian accident attorney can help guide you through the process.
Property owners in Florida have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. When they don’t and someone gets hurt as a result, the injured party has the right to pursue compensation through a premises liability claim. Working with a skilled slip and fall accident attorney in Sarasota can help ensure your rights are protected and your case is handled effectively.
Slip and fall cases require prompt evidence gathering, and our team moves quickly to preserve what’s needed to support your case.
Crashes involving commercial trucks are a different category of case. The vehicles are larger, the injuries tend to be more serious, and the legal landscape involves federal regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, and aggressive defense teams hired by trucking companies and their insurers.
Our truck accident attorneys are skilled at handling the added complexity these cases bring and work to make sure you’re not outmatched at the negotiating table.
Losing a family member because of someone else’s negligence is one of the most painful experiences imaginable. Florida law allows certain surviving family members to bring a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and more. Speaking with a compassionate wrongful death lawyer in Sarasota can help you understand your rights and the options available to your family during this difficult time.
We handle these cases with the sensitivity and seriousness they deserve, and we’re here to guide your family through the legal process while you grieve.
Our firm handles many other types of personal injury claims as well. No matter what type of accident you were involved in, don’t wait to get legal advice. Contact us for a free consultation and find out where you stand.
Not every accident automatically leads to a successful claim, but many people are surprised to find they have stronger grounds than they realized.
To bring a personal injury claim in Florida, four elements generally need to be present:
If you’re unsure whether your situation fits, that’s exactly what a free consultation is for. You don’t need to have all the answers before you call us at (941) 954-4000.
Florida follows a modified comparative fault system. In plain terms, this means that if you were partially responsible for what happened, your compensation gets reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were found to be more than 50% at fault, you may not be able to recover at all under Florida’s current law.
Insurance adjusters know this rule well, and they often use it to try to pin blame on the injured person. Our team knows how to counter those tactics. We gather evidence, work with accident reconstruction professionals when needed, and build a record that supports your account of what happened.
After an injury, the legal process can move through several stages. Knowing what to expect helps you make better decisions along the way.
As your personal injury lawyers in Sarasota, our goal is always the best possible outcome for you, whether that comes through a settlement or a verdict.
Florida’s statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the injury for most personal injury cases. Miss that deadline, and you lose your right to pursue compensation entirely, regardless of how strong your case might be.
Two years can pass faster than most people expect, especially when you’re focused on recovering. The earlier you speak with a Sarasota personal injury attorney, the more time we have to build your case properly and protect your rights.
The steps you take in the days after an injury can significantly affect the strength of your claim. Here’s what we recommend:
If your accident happened near a local landmark like Siesta Key Beach or a public area like Nathan Benderson Park, there may be additional evidence available — surveillance cameras, witnesses, or government records — that we can help you obtain.
Choosing the right legal team after an injury matters. Here’s what sets Shapiro | Delgado apart from other firms.
Our attorneys bring more than 100 years of combined legal experience to every case we handle. That depth of knowledge means we’ve seen how insurance companies operate, how defense attorneys build their cases, and what it takes to win.
Florida board certification is one of the highest honors a Florida attorney can earn, awarded only to lawyers who meet rigorous standards of experience, ethics, and demonstrated skill. Shapiro | Delgado is proud to have board-certified attorneys on our team.
Our attorneys have earned top Avvo ratings and recognition through numerous professional awards. This recognition signals that our peers and clients alike trust the work we do.
You won’t get lost in a pile of files here. We keep our caseload manageable so every client gets the focused attention their case deserves. You’ll know who is handling your case and be able to reach them when you have questions.
We don’t take cases just to settle them quickly. Our goal is always the best possible outcome for you, and we don’t stop pushing until we get there.
Shapiro | Delgado works on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront and nothing out of pocket to hire us. We only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you. If we don’t win, you don’t owe us attorney’s fees.
This arrangement exists because we believe everyone deserves skilled legal representation after an injury. Your financial situation shouldn’t determine whether you get a fair shot at justice.
Most personal injury cases in Florida resolve within several months to a couple of years, depending on how complicated the case is and whether it settles or goes to trial. Cases with clear liability and strong documentation tend to move faster. If your injuries are severe and ongoing, it may take longer to fully value your claim. Rushing a settlement before you know your long-term prognosis can cost you significantly.
You don’t have to accept the first offer, and in most cases, you shouldn’t. Insurance companies typically open with a low number. Before you respond to any offer, speak with an attorney. Once you sign a release and accept a settlement, you generally can’t go back for more, even if your medical costs turn out to be higher than expected.
Florida’s modified comparative fault law means your compensation may be reduced by your share of responsibility, but you may still be able to recover if you were 50% or less at fault. Don’t assume partial fault takes your case off the table. Let us review what happened before you draw any conclusions.
Injuries that seem minor at first, like whiplash or back soreness, can develop into long-term problems. A lawyer can help you avoid settling too quickly for an amount that doesn’t cover what you’ll eventually need. A free consultation costs you nothing and gives you a clearer picture of your options.
Bring anything you have: the accident or police report, photos of the scene or your injuries, medical records or bills, insurance correspondence, and any notes you’ve made about what happened. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything. We can help gather documents as part of our process.
If you’ve been injured because of someone else’s negligence, Shapiro | Delgado is ready to review your case at no cost and with no obligation. We work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our team is standing by to answer your questions, explain your options honestly, and get to work on your behalf.
Call (941) 954-4000 today to speak with our team and take the first step toward holding the responsible party accountable.
