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Car Accident Lawyer in Punta Gorda, FL

If you were injured in a car accident in Punta Gorda or anywhere in Charlotte County, Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith, P.A. is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Our team has recovered $825+ million for injured clients across Southwest Florida — and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.

Call 239-500-4878 for a Free Consultation | No fee unless we win.

Trusted by Southwest Florida Injury Victims Since 1962

  • 60+ years serving Southwest Florida exclusively
  • $825+ million recovered for local clients
  • Board Certified attorneys — Florida Bar certified
  • No upfront fees — you pay nothing unless we win
  • 5 convenient offices — including Port Charlotte, serving Punta Gorda

The Aftermath of a Car Accident Is Overwhelming. You Should Not Face It Alone.

Medical bills pile up fast. You may be unable to work. The other driver's insurance company is already working to reduce what they owe you. Insurance adjusters are trained to get you to say things that minimize or eliminate your claim — and they move quickly.

You need someone in your corner just as fast. The attorneys at Goldstein Buckley investigate your accident thoroughly, handle all insurance communications on your behalf, and build the strongest possible case for your full and fair recovery.

What a Punta Gorda Car Accident Lawyer Can Do for You

From the moment you call, our legal team gets to work. Here is what that looks like:

  • Accident investigation — We gather photos, witness statements, black box data, maintenance records, toxicology reports, and accident reconstruction analysis
  • Insurance negotiation — We manage every interaction with the insurance company so you do not inadvertently hurt your own case
  • Claim filing and litigation — We file against all liable parties and are fully prepared to take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation
  • Damages recovery — We pursue both economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, future earning capacity) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life)

Florida is a no-fault state, which means your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage applies first. However, if your injuries meet Florida's serious injury threshold, you may have grounds to file a claim directly against the at-fault driver. Our attorneys will determine exactly where you stand and what you are entitled to pursue.

Why Punta Gorda Residents Choose Goldstein Buckley

This is not a firm that showed up recently and set up an office. Goldstein Buckley was founded in Fort Myers in 1962 and has operated in Charlotte County for decades. Our Port Charlotte office at 2602 Tamiami Trail serves clients throughout Punta Gorda and the surrounding area. Our attorneys are not generalists — they handle personal injury cases in Southwest Florida courts exclusively. That includes the Charlotte County Courthouse, where our trial attorneys have litigated and won.

Our lead attorneys:

  • Christopher J. Smith — Co-Managing Partner, Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney, 2025 Attorney of the Year from the American Board of Trial Advocates, AV Preeminent Rating, National Trial Lawyers Top 100
  • Andrea Pleimling Smith — Co-Managing Partner, AV Preeminent Rating, National Trial Lawyers Top 100
  • Eve T.K. Volkmann — Partner, lead trial litigator, Client Champion Gold 2026 (Martindale-Hubbell)

Real Results from Real Southwest Florida Car Accident Cases

  • $3.5 Million — Motor Vehicle Accident
  • $2.4 Million — Motor Vehicle Accident
  • $3.5 Million — Motor Vehicle Accident
  • $6.4 Million — Verdict against Charlotte County (Punta Gorda area)

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, but they reflect the firm's commitment to fighting for what clients actually deserve — not just what the insurance company is willing to offer.

What Clients Say

"This is my second time using this firm. They are always compassionate and helpful. I would definitely recommend them."
— Jessica M.

"I didn't need to worry about payment of my medical bills or having to negotiate with the medical providers. I also didn't have to deal with the other party's insurance company."
— Marilyn W.

How the Process Works

  • Call or contact us for a free consultation — no cost, no obligation
  • Meet with an attorney who will evaluate your case directly
  • Sign on for representation if you choose to move forward — no upfront fees
  • We investigate and build your case while you focus on healing
  • We fight for your compensation through negotiation or, if necessary, trial

Frequently Asked Questions — Punta Gorda Car Accident Cases

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Florida?
Florida's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. Do not wait.

Should I give a recorded statement to the insurance company?
No. You are not legally required to do so, and their representatives are trained to use your words against you. Let your attorney handle all communication.

What if the other driver does not have insurance?
You may be able to recover through your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Our attorneys will walk you through your options.

How much will a car accident lawyer cost me?
Nothing upfront. Goldstein Buckley works on a contingency fee basis — you owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault?
Yes, as long as you are found to be 50% or less at fault. Florida's modified comparative negligence law reduces your award by your percentage of fault, but does not eliminate it unless you bear the majority of responsibility.

What damages can I recover after a Punta Gorda car accident?
You may be entitled to medical expenses, lost wages, future lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and emotional distress, depending on the facts of your case.

Serving Punta Gorda and All of Charlotte County

Punta Gorda's heavily traveled corridors — including US 41 (Tamiami Trail), Marion Avenue, US 17, and Burnt Store Road — see regular collisions. Our team is familiar with the roads, the courts, and the local legal landscape throughout Charlotte County. Clients near Punta Gorda are served from our Port Charlotte office at 2602 Tamiami Trail, just minutes away.

We also serve Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, and Lehigh Acres. If you were injured anywhere in Southwest Florida, there is an office near you.

Ready to Talk to a Punta Gorda Car Accident Lawyer? Contact Us Today.

The consultation is free. The advice is real. And you will speak with an attorney — not a case manager.

For a free consultation, contact us online at gbclaw.com/contact or call 239-500-4878 today. Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith, P.A. — let our family help your family.

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Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith, P.A.

Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith, P.A., is a personal injury firm representing those injured by the wrongdoing of others in Southwest Florida since 1962. The firm’s experienced attorneys are board certified by the Florida Bar, and their areas of practice include personal injury and accidents, trip, slip and fall, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, motorcycle, and boat and truck accidents. Attorneys can be reached by calling 239-500-HURT.

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