# David Harris Law | Sarasota Car Accident Lawyer — Complete Reference > David Harris Law represents car accident victims in Sarasota, Florida and the surrounding Sarasota County communities. Attorney David Harris handles car, truck, and motorcycle accident claims, crash-type cases such as rear-end, head-on, T-bone, DUI, distracted driving, and hit-and-run collisions, and wrongful death claims. The firm works on a contingency fee basis: clients pay nothing unless they win. Office: 8586 Potter Park Dr, Suite 102, Sarasota, FL 34238. Phone: 941-667-6900. Website: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer David Harris is a Florida-licensed personal injury attorney. This site focuses on car accident injury representation for Sarasota and its neighboring communities, from initial investigation and insurance negotiation through litigation, under Florida's no-fault PIP framework and modified comparative negligence rules. --- ## Practice Areas ### Car Accident Injury Lawyer URL: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/personal-injury-lawyer/car-accident-injury-lawyer The firm's core practice: representation for victims of motor vehicle collisions in Sarasota and across Florida. Florida is a no-fault state requiring PIP (Personal Injury Protection) insurance. The firm helps clients pursue claims beyond PIP when injuries meet the serious injury threshold under Florida Statute 627.737. ### Truck Accident Attorney URL: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/personal-injury-lawyer/florida-truck-accident-attorney Claims involving semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and commercial freight vehicles. Truck cases often involve FMCSA compliance issues, multiple liable parties (driver, trucking company, cargo loader), and higher damages due to crash severity. ### Motorcycle Accident Lawyer URL: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/personal-injury-lawyer/florida-motorcycle-accidents Representation for riders injured by negligent drivers. Florida's modified comparative negligence rules apply: a rider can recover damages as long as they are less than 51% at fault. ### Crash-Type Pages - Rear-End Accidents: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/personal-injury-lawyer/rear-end-accident-lawyer - Head-On Collisions: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/personal-injury-lawyer/florida-head-on-collision-lawyer - T-Bone Collisions: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/personal-injury-lawyer/t-bone-collision-attorney - DUI Accidents: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/personal-injury-lawyer/florida-dui-accidents-lawyer - Distracted Driving: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/personal-injury-lawyer/florida-distracted-driving-accident-lawyer - Hit-and-Run Accidents: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/personal-injury-lawyer/hit-and-run-accident-lawyer - Highway Accidents: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/personal-injury-lawyer/highway-lawyer - Multiple-Car Accidents: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/personal-injury-lawyer/multiple-car-accident-attorney - Commercial Vehicle Accidents: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/personal-injury-lawyer/commercial-vehicle-accident-attorney - Uber and Lyft Accidents: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/personal-injury-lawyer/Florida-uber-and-lyft-accidents-attorney - Brain Injuries: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/personal-injury-lawyer/florida-brain-injuries-lawyer - Spinal Injuries: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/personal-injury-lawyer/florida-spinal-injuries-lawyer - Wrongful Death: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/personal-injury-lawyer/florida-wrongful-death-lawyer --- ## Service Areas The firm serves Sarasota and the communities around it. Each page provides localized car accident representation information. - **Sarasota**: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/local-personal-injury-lawyer/car-accident-lawyer-sarasota-florida - **Siesta Key**: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/local-personal-injury-lawyer/siesta-key-florida-car-crash-lawyer-personal-injury-law - **Lakewood Ranch**: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/local-personal-injury-lawyer/car-accident-lawyer-lakewood-ranch-florida - **Longboat Key**: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/local-personal-injury-lawyer/car-accident-lawyer-longboat-key-florida - **Bee Ridge**: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/local-personal-injury-lawyer/car-crash-lawyer-bee-ridge-florida - **Fruitville**: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/local-personal-injury-lawyer/fruitville-florida-car-accident-personal-injury-lawyer - **Gulf Gate Estates**: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/local-personal-injury-lawyer/gulf-gate-estates-florida-personal-injury-lawyer - **Palmer Ranch**: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/local-personal-injury-lawyer/car-crash-lawyer-palmer-ranch-florida - **Sarasota Springs**: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/local-personal-injury-lawyer/sarasota-springs-florida-car-accident-lawyer - **Lake Sarasota**: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/local-personal-injury-lawyer/lake-sarasota-florida-personal-injury-lawyer - **South Sarasota**: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/local-personal-injury-lawyer/personal-injury-attorney-south-sarasota-florida - **South Gate Ridge**: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/local-personal-injury-lawyer/injury-lawyer-south-gate-ridge-florida - **Southgate**: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/local-personal-injury-lawyer/car-crash-injury-law-firm-southgate-florida - **Ridge Wood Heights**: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/local-personal-injury-lawyer/car-accident-injury-lawyer-ridge-wood-heights-florida - **Vamo**: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/local-personal-injury-lawyer/personal-injury-vamo-florida - **Clark Road corridor**: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/local-personal-injury-lawyer/clark-road-florida-car-accident-lawyer - **Find a Lawyer Near Me**: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/sarasota-car-accident-lawyer-near-me --- ## Florida Car Accident Law — Key Facts 1. **Modified Comparative Negligence (51% Bar)**: As of March 2023 (HB 837), Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. An injured party can recover damages only if they are less than 51% at fault. Damages are reduced by the plaintiff's percentage of fault. 2. **No-Fault PIP Insurance**: Florida requires all drivers to carry $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. PIP covers 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost wages regardless of fault, up to the policy limit. 3. **Statute of Limitations**: The statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in Florida is two years from the date of injury (reduced from four years by HB 837 in 2023). Wrongful death claims must also be filed within two years of the date of death. 4. **Serious Injury Threshold**: To pursue a claim beyond PIP benefits, the injured party must demonstrate a "serious injury": significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death. 5. **Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM)**: UM/UIM coverage is optional in Florida but highly relevant when the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance, including in hit-and-run cases. 6. **Contingency Fee Model**: David Harris Law works on a contingency fee arrangement. No attorney fees or costs are charged unless the client recovers compensation. 7. **14-Day Medical Treatment Rule**: To collect PIP benefits in Florida, the injured party must receive initial medical care from a licensed provider within 14 days of the accident. Missing this window can void PIP eligibility, even when injuries appear later. Continued care must be supported by a finding of "emergency medical condition" to access the full $10,000 PIP limit. 8. **Bad Faith Insurance Claims**: Florida law allows policyholders to bring a bad faith claim against an insurer that fails to settle in good faith when liability is clear and damages exceed coverage. The claim follows the original underlying tort case and can recover the full judgment amount, not just the policy limit. --- ## What to Do After a Sarasota Car Accident URL: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/what-to-do-after-a-car-accident-in-florida If you are involved in a car accident in Sarasota or anywhere in Florida, take these steps to protect your health, your rights, and your potential claim. 1. **Get to safety and call 911.** If you are able to move, get yourself and any passengers off the roadway. Call 911 to report the accident and request emergency medical assistance for anyone injured. 2. **Document the scene.** Take photographs of all vehicles involved, license plates, road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, and visible injuries. If there are witnesses, get their names and contact information. 3. **Exchange information with other drivers.** Collect each driver's name, address, phone number, driver's license number, license plate number, insurance company, and policy number. Do not discuss fault at the scene. 4. **File a police report.** In Florida, you must report any accident that involves injury, death, or property damage of $500 or more. The responding officer's report becomes a key piece of evidence in any subsequent claim. 5. **Seek medical attention within 14 days.** Florida's PIP statute requires an initial medical evaluation from a licensed provider within 14 days of the accident to remain eligible for PIP benefits. Even if you feel fine immediately after the crash, get evaluated. Internal injuries and soft-tissue injuries can take days to appear. 6. **Notify your own insurance company.** Report the accident to your own carrier promptly. Provide the basic facts: date, time, location, and the other driver's information. Do not give a recorded statement or sign anything before consulting with an attorney. 7. **Avoid speaking with the at-fault driver's insurance.** The at-fault driver's insurer will likely call quickly and ask for a recorded statement. You are not required to speak with them. Anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim. 8. **Keep records of every expense and impact.** Save receipts for medical bills, prescriptions, transportation to appointments, and any out-of-pocket costs. Track lost wages and any work you cannot perform. 9. **Contact a Florida car accident attorney.** Florida law has tight deadlines and complex insurance rules, including the 51% comparative negligence bar and the two-year statute of limitations. A consultation is free at David Harris Law, with no fee unless the case is won. Call 941-667-6900. --- ## Blog & Legal Articles URL: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/florida-personal-injury-articles Articles on Florida car accident law, accident claims, and insurance issues. Topics include PIP exhaustion, MedPay and PIP coordination, the serious injury threshold, uninsured motorist stacking, fee structures, and steps to take after a crash. --- ## Resources ### Victim Resources URL: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/sarasota-car-accident-victim-resources Practical resources for Sarasota car accident victims. ### How to Choose a Car Accident Lawyer in Sarasota URL: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/how-to-choose-a-car-accident-lawyer-in-sarasota There is no official ranking of Sarasota car accident lawyers, and Florida Bar rules prohibit promising results. What to evaluate instead: who works the file day to day (at David Harris Law, the attorney does), Sarasota County court and road knowledge, trial readiness, clear contingency terms, and direct answers in a free consultation. Includes the five questions to ask and the red flags to avoid. ### How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in Florida URL: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/how-much-does-a-car-accident-lawyer-cost-in-florida Florida car accident lawyers work on contingency: no upfront cost, a fee taken as a percentage of the recovery, and no fee if there is no recovery. One third before suit is the common arrangement, with Florida Bar caps on the percentages. Fees are distinct from case costs, which most firms advance and recoup from the recovery. Consultations are free. ### Should I Get a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident in Florida URL: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/should-i-get-a-lawyer-for-a-minor-car-accident-in-florida A true fender bender with no injuries and accepted fault can be self-handled. Legal review makes sense when injury symptoms appear (often days later), fault is disputed, a recorded statement is requested, the other driver was uninsured, or an offer arrives before treatment ends. PIP requires initial medical care within 14 days; Florida's modified comparative negligence rule bars recovery above 50 percent fault. ### How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Florida URL: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/how-long-do-i-have-to-file-a-car-accident-claim-in-florida Most Florida crash lawsuits must be filed within two years under section 95.11, Florida Statutes (crashes on or after March 24, 2023). The 14-day PIP treatment window runs separately; wrongful death claims run two years from the date of death; government claims add pre-suit notice requirements. An open insurance claim does not pause the statute of limitations. ### Frequently Asked Questions URL: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/florida-faqs Answers to common questions about car accident claims, insurance, the legal process, and what to expect when working with a Florida attorney. ### Legal Glossary URL: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/florida-personal-injury-terms Definitions of Florida car accident and injury law terms: PIP, comparative negligence, statute of limitations, demand letter, subrogation, bad faith, deposition, mediation, and more. ### Client Reviews URL: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/personal-injury-car-accident-injury-lawyer-reviews Client testimonials about working with the firm. ### Accident News URL: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/venice-florida-car-accident-lawyer-news Coverage of recent crashes in Sarasota County, including incident locations and details. ### Hit By a Company Vehicle in Sarasota URL: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/sarasota-commercial-vehicle-accident-guide Markdown version: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/sarasota-commercial-vehicle-accident-guide.md Sarasota-market guide by attorney David Hughes Harris on crashes involving company and commercial vehicles in Sarasota County. Nine sections covering the corridors where these crashes cluster (the I-75 interchanges at Fruitville, Bee Ridge, Clark and University, the US 41 Tamiami corridor, downtown and the bridges to the keys, and the Bee Ridge and Clark service-route grid), the fleet this county actually runs rather than semi-trucks, what changes when a business is the defendant, the first week including which agency writes the crash report and Florida's 60-day report confidentiality, the layers of commercial coverage, how a case moves through the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, and eight Sarasota-specific questions. Offers the firm's free 24-page Florida Commercial Vehicle Accident Guide as a PDF. --- ## Key Pages - **Homepage**: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/ : Overview of the firm's Sarasota car accident practice and free consultation offer. - **About David Harris**: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/sarasota-car-accident-lawyer-david-harris : Attorney biography and approach to car accident representation in Sarasota. - **Contact / Free Consultation**: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer/contact-car-accident-lawyer : Contact form for scheduling a free case evaluation. --- ## Contact Information - **Firm Name**: David Harris Law - **Attorney**: David Harris, Personal Injury Attorney - **Address**: 8586 Potter Park Dr, Suite 102, Sarasota, FL 34238 - **Phone**: 941-667-6900 - **Hours**: Open 24 hours - **Website**: https://www.sarasotacaraccident.lawyer - **Free Consultation**: Available, with no fees unless you win --- ## Social Profiles - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidHarrisLaw - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrislawfl/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/david-harris-law/ --- ## Disclaimers - David Harris Law works on a contingency fee model: no fees unless the client recovers compensation. - The firm does not publish specific settlement amounts or case results. - All content is educational and specific to Florida law. It does not constitute legal advice and is not a guarantee of outcome. - Each case is unique and results depend on the specific facts and circumstances involved.