Bradenton Personal Injury Lawyers

Were you hurt in an accident in Bradenton, FL? If someone else caused your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering, lost earnings, and more. An experienced Bradenton personal injury lawyer can help you fight for all the damages you deserve.

Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers has represented Bradenton accident victims for more than 28 years. We’ve recovered hundreds of millions for our injured clients. Contact our law firm online today or call us at (941) 300-0716 to schedule a free case review to discuss how we can help you.

How Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Accident in Bradenton, FL

How Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Accident in Bradenton, FL

An accident can happen in a moment and change your life forever. You should not have to fight for money for your medical bills and other losses. You deserve a tireless advocate who will take on the insurance company and take your case all the way to court if necessary.

Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers have fought for Bradenton accident victims and their families since 1992. Our award-winning personal injury law firm has been recognized with the 2020 Silver Client Champion Award and a “Preeminent” Martindale-Hubbell rating. We’ve recovered more than $500 million. With more than 120 years of combined experience, you can count on our law firm to give you the legal counsel you deserve.

We are a small law firm with big resources. We will not delegate your claim to a case manager; you will receive the personal attention you deserve.

Here is how our Bradenton personal injury accident lawyers can help you:

  • Provide sound legal advice, support, and guidance
  • Fight back against insurance company tactics
  • Handle all communications and paperwork
  • Work with experts to gather proof and provide expert opinion on causation and your damages
  • Negotiate on your behalf and take your case to court if necessary

Do not trust the insurance company to treat you fairly. Call Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers in Bradenton, Florida, at (941) 300-0716 today for a free consultation to discuss your case.

How Common Are Accidents in Bradenton?

A personal injury claim can result from any accident or violence caused by another person. In 2019, Florida had an age-adjusted injury rate almost 9% higher than the national average. The rate was 12.5% higher than average for unintentional injuries, such as car accidents, falls, and drownings.

how common are accidents in bradenton

According to FLHSMV, there were 5,585 traffic accidents in Manatee County in 2020 alone. These accidents caused 67 fatalities and 4,430 injuries. Around 1,375 of the accidents were hit-and-run crashes that hurt 427 people and killed eight. Manatee County saw three bicycle fatalities, 19 pedestrian deaths, and nine motorcycle fatalities that year.

Slips and falls are one of the leading causes of accidental death, injury, and disability in Bradenton. Over 3,000 seniors died due to fall-related injuries in Florida in 2019 alone.

Falls do not only affect seniors. Slips and falls are a leading hazard in all workplaces. Falls are responsible for 20% of worker deaths and 27% of all nonfatal workplace injuries according to the CDC. They are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims.

Dog bites are another common cause of personal injuries in Bradenton. According to the Florida Department of Health, more than 600 Florida residents are hospitalized due to dog bite injuries each year. The average dog bite claim in Florida was almost $44,000. Children between 5 and 9 are at the greatest risk of being bitten by a dog.

However, many adults suffer injuries when an unleashed dog attacks their dog. This happened in April 2021 in Bradenton when a woman was hurt and her two dogs were killed by an unleashed Great Dane.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Bradenton

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Bradenton

The Bradenton personal injury attorneys at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers are well-versed in all areas of Florida personal injury law. We handle all types of accident injury cases, ranging from workplace accidents and traffic accidents to medical negligence, dangerous products, and intentional tort.

Contact our law firm if you or someone you love has been hurt in any of the following types of accidents:

Do not let the insurance company treat you unfairly or blame you for your accident. Contact our law office or call (941) 300-0716 to schedule a free consultation with a Bradenton personal injury lawyer ready to fight for you.

We’re here to help, 24/7

Bradenton Car Accidents

Of the more than 6,300 car accidents in Manatee County in 2022, approximately 80% led to injuries, adding up to thousands of victims facing medical expenses, lost income, and other serious repercussions. 

Even injuries that may initially seem relatively minor can have a significant impact on your life in a number of ways. As such, it is critical that you partner with a trusted legal expert to pursue the compensation you are rightfully owed after an accident. 

Bradenton Truck Accidents

Did you know that large trucks weigh up to 30 times more than a passenger vehicle, requiring far more distance to safely stop? What’s more, studies have shown that many truck drivers violate regulations intended to reduce fatigue, overworking themselves and putting others at risk. 

If you have been involved in a Bradenton truck accident, you know that the outcome can be devastating. Our attorneys are here to support you in seeking compensation to relieve the financial burden unfairly placed upon your shoulders. 

Bradenton Motorcycle Accidents

More than 80% of motorcycle accidents in Manatee County in 2022 resulted in injuries, and more than 11% were fatal. Sadly, motorcycle accidents are frequently caused by the negligence of other drivers, and in many cases, the motorcyclist involved is severely injured due to the circumstances of the incident. 

If you or a loved one was hurt in a Bradenton motorcycle accident, our personal injury lawyers will stop at nothing to hold the responsible drivers accountable – and secure fair compensation for you.

Bradenton Bicycle Accidents

When a bicyclist is hit by a motor vehicle, the outcome is often tragic. Almost all of the bicycle crashes in Manatee County in 2022 involved injuries, with the most likely victims being the bicyclist(s). At Catania & Catania, our attorneys have extensive experience in bicycle accidents and are prepared to leverage our skill and determination to help you win your case. 

Bradenton Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to accidents because they lack the protection of a vehicle. Many factors contribute to pedestrian accidents, such as distracted driving, speeding, failure to yield to pedestrians, and other forms of driver negligence. 

If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident in Bradenton, consult an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you understand your legal rights and pursue compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost income, and other damages.

Bradenton Wrongful Death

Wrongful death is a devastating event caused by the negligence or intentional harm of others, such as medical malpractice, car accidents, or defective products. Families of the deceased may have the right to receive compensation for the lost income, medical expenses, funeral costs, and other expenses. 

One of our skilled wrongful death attorneys in Bradenton, FL can support your family through the legal process and fight for justice to be served for your loved one’s untimely death.

Common Injuries in Bradenton Personal Injury Cases

Common Injuries in Bradenton Injury Cases

There are many different types of accidents that can lead to personal injury cases, as well as a broad range of injury types. The specific type and severity of injuries play a large part in determining how much compensation is available in a personal injury case, and can also often affect the legal process itself. 

Common injuries in personal injury cases in Bradenton include:

  • Whiplash
  • Broken bones/fractures
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
  • Soft tissue injuries (such as strains/sprains)
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Back injuries
  • Burns
  • Internal organ damage
  • Disfigurement and amputation

Regardless of how minor or severe your injuries may be, as an accident victim, you deserve fair compensation. Working with an experienced Bradenton personal injury lawyer from Catania & Catania provides the peace of mind of knowing that you have a skilled and dedicated legal advocate on your side, one who is well-equipped to help you navigate even the most complex of personal injury cases.

What is My Personal Injury Case Worth?

what is my injury case worth

You likely have many questions after your accident, including questions about how much your case is worth. Unfortunately, there is no simple way to estimate the value of a personal injury case in Bradenton.

During your consultation, your Bradenton injury lawyer will consider many factors:

  • Were you partially at fault for the accident? Did you fail to mitigate your damages?
  • How much insurance coverage is available?
  • Do you have a strong negligence case?
  • What type of injuries did you suffer and how serious are they?
  • Will you have ongoing medical needs?
  • Will you be able to return to your job?
  • How will your injuries affect your mental, physical, and emotional health in the future? What about your quality of life, relationships, and ability to perform daily activities?

As a general rule, cases involving serious or disabling injuries are worth more than injuries from which you can make a full recovery. Serious injuries come with higher personal losses and long-term financial costs.

The best way to determine how much your case is worth is by scheduling a free case review with a Bradenton personal injury attorney.

What Damages Can I Recover After an Accident in Bradenton, FL?

You are entitled to compensatory damages when the defendant is found at fault for your injuries.

Compensatory damages are divided into:

  • Economic damages or special damages. This is compensation for your financial losses.
  • Non-economic damages or general damages. This is compensation for your intangible, personal losses.

Economic damages can be quantified, even though it may require the help of experts. Non-economic damages will consider the severity and type of injuries you sustained, the circumstances of your accident, how your life will be changed, and more.

The following are common examples of financial compensation you may recover in a Bradenton personal injury case:

  • Property damage
  • Medical care bills
  • Future medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Future lost earnings due to diminished or lost earning capacity
  • Household services
  • Other financial damages like home or vehicle modifications and counseling
  • Non-economic damages for emotional distress, disfigurement, mental anguish, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, reduced quality of life, loss of enjoyment in life, and more

If your case goes before a jury, you may be awarded punitive damages on top of your compensatory damages. These damages are rarely awarded in cases and are capped at $500,000 or 3x your compensatory damages.

What Happens if I’m Partially at Fault for an Accident in Florida?

Are you being blamed for an auto accident or slip and fall? This is a common tactic by insurance companies seeking to reduce their own liability.

Florida uses a pure comparative negligence doctrine. This means you can still recover financial compensation even if you were 99% to blame for your accident. The damages you recover will be reduced according to your share of the assigned fault.

Do not let the insurance company try to shift blame onto you. Contact a personal injury lawyer in Bradenton, FL, as soon as possible if you are being blamed for your accident.

What is Negligence and How Does it Affect My Personal Injury Case?

What is Negligence and How Does it Affect My Case

After you are injured in an accident, recovering compensation from the at-fault party requires proving they were negligent. This means they were careless or failed to exercise reasonable care.

A successful personal injury case proves all four elements of negligence:

  • The defendant owed you a duty of care. This may be the basic duty of care a motorist owes to others on the road to exercise caution and obey traffic laws. It may be a heightened duty of care owed by a medical provider or property owner.
  • The defendant breached the duty of care they owed you.
  • The breach caused your accident.
  • You suffered damages due to the breached duty of care.

You must prove negligence by “a preponderance of the evidence.” This means it was more likely than not that the defendant’s actions were unreasonable and caused your accident.

Evidence of negligence can include accident reports, witness statements, photos of the accident scene, video surveillance, maintenance logs, hiring practices, internal company records, and more. We may use expert testimony to strengthen your case.

If the at-fault party violated a safety law that was passed to protect people like you in similar circumstances, you may have an easier way to prove negligence. When you show the defendant was negligent per se, or by the law, they are presumed negligent.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Florida?

You have a limited amount of time to pursue your personal injury accident case. The first step is usually working with an insurance company.

Florida is a no-fault insurance state; your case may begin by making a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claim against your insurance policy. This must be done within 14 days in most cases. For other accident claims, you must submit your claim to the insurer within a reasonable amount of time.

If you are eligible to make a claim against the other party’s insurance company, your claim must be submitted within a reasonable amount of time. You may also pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the other party, either after negotiations with their insurance company fail or without submitting an insurance claim.

In Florida, there is a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits. Your case must be filed before this deadline or your case will be dismissed without consideration.

Some cases have a shorter deadline. Wrongful death claims and medical malpractice lawsuits have a shorter two-year statute of limitations. If you have a claim against a government entity, you have even less time to seek compensation. In rare cases, you may have longer to file an injury lawsuit such as medical malpractice that is not discovered immediately.

What Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Bradenton, FL?

Concerned about the cost of legal representation after your accident? The Bradenton personal injury lawyers at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers will represent you on a contingency fee basis. This means no out-of-pocket attorney’s fees for skilled representation on your behalf.

We will handle everything from investigating your case to presenting your case to a jury. You will only pay our fees if we are successful in negotiating a settlement or winning a verdict.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Bradenton Personal Injury Lawyer

Free Consultation with a Bradenton Personal Injury Lawyer

After a serious accident, you deserve sound legal advice and vigorous representation. Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers are prepared to fight on your behalf for the maximum compensation you deserve.

Contact our law office online or call us at (941) 300-0716 today for a free case review with a Bradenton personal injury lawyer to discuss your case.