Car accidents happen unexpectedly, no matter how safe of a driver you may be. Even though you may not be at fault, you may still be left with serious injuries and medical expenses, and an insurance company that does not want to pay for those claims. This is where a Sarasota car accident lawyer steps in.
Florida’s no-fault PIP system still allows a personal injury lawsuit for serious injuries. Your PIP covers initial medical bills, but car accident victims with a permanent injury, significant and permanent scarring, or a significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function can pursue the at-fault driver for full compensation.
At Greg Linehan Law, we approach every case with compassion, careful attention, and decades of experience handling car accident claims. Our firm handles every step of your Sarasota car accident claim, from the first call with the insurance company through filing suit in Sarasota County’s 12th Judicial Circuit when needed.
Hurt in a Sarasota crash? Get a free case review.
How a Car Accident Attorney Handles Your Claim
After a car accident, insurance companies move quickly to protect their own interests. Adjusters may request recorded statements, search for ways to shift blame, or offer a fast settlement that does not fully cover your losses.
Our team handles critical parts of the process, including:
- Investigating the crash. Your car accident attorney gathers police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and other evidence to establish fault.
- Calculating full damages. That figure takes in your medical bills, care you still need, missed paychecks, any drop in future earning power, and your pain and suffering.
- Handling insurance communications. Your lawyer manages calls, paperwork, and negotiations so you do not say something that could hurt your case.
- Negotiating settlements. Auto accident attorneys push back against low offers and work to secure fair compensation.
- Filing a lawsuit if necessary. If negotiations fail, your lawyer prepares the case for court and represents you at trial.
Under Florida law, either party can demand mediation before a lawsuit is filed in certain personal injury claims or in an auto accident property claim for any amount.
Our team manages every part of the process, allowing you to focus on recovery. Whether your case involves disputed liability, multiple parties, or severe injuries, having an experienced local law firm and trial lawyer on your side levels the playing field.
Meet Our Sarasota Car Accident Attorney
Our attorney, Greg Linehan, has called Sarasota home for over 55 years. He is a University of Florida graduate who went on to study law in Miami. After a short time working in Miami, he came back to Sarasota in 1997.
There, he joined a law firm and mainly represented injured people, including those hurt in serious car wrecks and on the job. Beyond injury and crash claims, he also handled workers’ comp and Social Security Disability matters.
A move to a smaller firm followed in 2003, and he helped that firm build up its injury and auto crash practice. He was made a partner there in 2007. In 2022 he opened Greg Linehan Law so people hurt in car crashes and other serious accidents could get more personal, supportive help. Today he takes cases in every state and federal court in Florida.
He brings in crash reconstruction experts and medical consultants, and he keeps in direct contact with every client until the case ends. You can read what past clients say about working with him.
Questions about your claim? Talk with our team today.
How Sarasota Car Accidents Happen and Get Reported
Car accidents in Sarasota, Florida, often occur due to common driver behaviors and busy traffic conditions. In 2025, Sarasota County accident statistics reported 6,544 crashes, including 4,371 injuries and 36 fatalities.
Many Sarasota car accidents result from:
- Distracted driving. Taking your eyes off the road to use a phone or other device increases the risk of a crash.
- Speeding. Driving too fast for conditions reduces reaction time and worsens injuries in collisions.
- Failure to yield or run stops. Intersections, especially on main roads like U.S. 41 and Bee Ridge Road, are common crash sites.
- Impaired driving. Alcohol or drug impairment continues to contribute to serious crashes.
- Heavy traffic and seasonal drivers. Visitors and seasonal residents unfamiliar with local routes can increase congestion and crash risk.
Sarasota’s coastal roads and bridges also create unique driving risks. High winds, sudden weather changes, heavy tourist traffic, and slick waterfront surfaces can contribute to serious accidents.
Where the crash happened decides who writes the report: the Sarasota Police Department inside city limits, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office in unincorporated parts of the county, and the Florida Highway Patrol on I-75 and other state highways. Identifying how the crash happened is a key part of building your injury claim.
Our Sarasota Office
Greg Linehan Law
455 N Lime Ave, Sarasota, FL 34237
Get Help From a Sarasota Auto Accident Attorney
The staff at Greg Linehan Law can help you better understand your rights. Our firm can assist you in receiving the proper compensation for property damages, future loss of income, disfigurement, emotional trauma, mental anguish, and more.
Our staff immediately becomes your advocate. We begin by protecting vital evidence from your car accident and continue all the way through taking your case to trial. Our Sarasota car accident attorney has over 29 years of experience dealing with car accidents, insurance companies, and their attorneys.
Our fee comes only out of money your case brings in. When you are ready, send us your questions and let us help you through this hard stretch.
Sarasota Car Accident Questions
What are most lawyers’ fees for a car accident?
Most Florida car accident attorneys, including Greg Linehan Law, operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay upfront fees. Instead, we take a percentage of your settlement or court award. If there is no recovery, you do not owe any attorney fees. To weigh the cost, read what a lawyer can add to a crash claim.
How often do car accident cases go to trial?
Most car accident cases settle out of court, but about 5% to 10% go to trial. A case is more likely to reach a courtroom when the insurer refuses a fair offer or denies that its driver caused the crash. Our guide on suing the driver who hit you explains how that process starts.
Do you pay taxes on a car accident settlement?
In most cases, car accident settlements for physical injuries are not taxable. Other parts of a payment can be treated differently, so it helps to know how a settlement is written before you sign. Our article explains why accepting less than your claim is worth can cost you.
Local Resources in Sarasota, FL
If you’ve been injured in Sarasota, these trusted local resources can assist you with emergency care, reporting, transportation, and vehicle repairs. While these services can help in the immediate aftermath, speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible can help protect your rights and your claim.
Police & Public Safety
- Sarasota Police Department – 2099 Adams Lane, Sarasota, FL 34237. Handles local law enforcement, investigations, and accident reports within Sarasota city limits. Call (941) 263-6773 for non-emergency assistance or to request records. Visit Website
- Florida Highway Patrol – Troop F – 680 U.S. 41 Bypass N Suite 4, Venice, FL 34285. Responds to accidents on highways and major roadways throughout Sarasota County, including I-75 and U.S. 41. Call +1 941 751 8350 for highway accident assistance and report inquiries. Visit Website
- Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office– 2071 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34237. Handles law enforcement services and accident investigations in unincorporated Sarasota County areas. Call (941) 861-5800 for assistance or records requests. Visit Website
Accident Reports & Records
- Sarasota Police Department Records Division – Obtain official accident reports for crashes that occurred within Sarasota city limits. Call 941-263-6045 for report requests and records assistance. Visit Website
- Florida Highway Patrol Crash Reports – Request accident reports for collisions investigated by FHP on highways and state roads throughout Sarasota County. Request Report
- Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Records Division– 2071 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34237. Handles accident and incident reports for crashes occurring in unincorporated Sarasota County. Call (941) 861-4025 for assistance. Visit Website
Medical & Emergency Care
- Sarasota Memorial Hospital – 1700 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34239. Full-service hospital with a 24/7 emergency room, trauma care, surgery, and advanced medical services for accident victims and emergencies. Call (941) 917-9000. Visit Website
- HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital – 5731 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34233. Provides emergency medical treatment, trauma stabilization, imaging, and specialized care for injuries and medical emergencies. Call (941) 342-1100. Visit Website
- Lakewood Ranch Medical Center – 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202. Offers emergency care, diagnostic imaging, surgical services, and inpatient treatment for accident-related injuries. Call (941) 782-2100. Visit Website
Towing & Roadside Assistance
- Jim’s Towing Service – Provides 24/7 emergency towing, roadside assistance, vehicle recovery, and accident towing services throughout Sarasota and surrounding areas. Call +1 941-921-6792. Visit Website
Collision Repair & Auto Body Shops
- Caliber Collision – Sarasota – 1527 Cattlemen Rd, Sarasota, FL 34232, United States. Trusted nationwide collision repair provider offering insurance coordination, dent repair, painting, and lifetime warranties on repairs. Call +1 941-377-6474. Visit Website.
- Gerber Collision & Glass – 3931 N Washington Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34234, United States. Full-service collision repair and auto body shop specializing in post-accident vehicle restoration and glass repair. Call +1 941-294-2152. Visit Website
Auto Repair & Mechanics
- Dion’s Automotive Repair – 5308 Ashton Ct, Sarasota, FL 34233, United States. ASE-certified auto repair shop offering engine diagnostics, brake repair, transmission service, and preventative maintenance. Call +1 941-926-4942. Visit Website
- Brian’s Auto Repair – 4502 McAshton St, Sarasota, FL 34233. Full-service automotive repair facility specializing in post-accident mechanical repairs, inspections, and maintenance services. Call +1 941-926-2526. Visit Website
Rental Car Services
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car – 1003 N Washington Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236, United States. Offers insurance replacement rentals, daily vehicle rentals, and long-term rental options for accident victims and travelers. Call +1 941-365-7228. Visit Website
- Hertz Car Rental – 6000 Rick Piccolo Cir, Sarasota, FL 34243, United States. Provides short-term and long-term vehicle rentals, including insurance replacement options near Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Call +1 941-355-8848. Visit Website
- Budget Car Rental – 6018 Rick Piccolo Cir, Sarasota, FL 34243, United States. Offers affordable rental vehicles, insurance replacement rentals, and flexible transportation options throughout Sarasota. Call +1 941-359-5360. Visit Website
Transportation Services
- Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) – Provides public bus transportation services throughout Sarasota County, including routes connecting hospitals, courts, and downtown Sarasota. Call (941) 861-5000. Visit Website
Mental Health & Support
- Centerstone – Sarasota – 379 6th Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205. Provides counseling, trauma therapy, crisis intervention, and mental health support services for individuals recovering from accidents and injuries. Call +1 941-782-4150. Visit Website
SAMHSA National Helpline – Free, confidential, 24/7 mental health and substance use treatment referral and information. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)—. Visit Website
Official Legal and Other Sources
To ensure the accuracy and clarity of this page, we referenced official legal and other resources during the content development process.