How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Case in Florida?

When you have been involved in a car accident, the related bills and other costs can accumulate very fast in the State of Florida. The costs usually include medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses. It is completely understandable that you might feel overwhelmed in the days that follow a car accident, and you should consider hiring a car accident lawyer to help you recover the compensation that you deserve.

However, you are probably wondering, “how long does it take to settle a car accident case?”. Only a car accident lawyer will be able to answer this question with accuracy as soon as they collect all of the facts of your case.

At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of combined experience when it comes to helping clients understand the laws surrounding car accident claims in the State of Florida. Our law firm has an in-depth understanding of traffic law, and we will explain the process every step of the way.

If you have questions in regard to a car accident case, then you should seek legal counsel with a car accident attorney now. Our phone lines are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation today.

General Timelines for a Car Accident Claim Settlement

Insurance companies have a limited amount of time to respond and either accept or deny a car accident claim in the State of Florida.

If all of the parties involved come to a settlement, then the insurance company has up to 20 days to pay the claim under Florida Statute 627.4265. However, Florida Statute 627.736 declares that the insurance company has up to 30 days to pay a personal injury protection claim.

The settlement timeline for a car accident claim largely depends on how long it takes for insurance companies to receive certain information in regard to your case. We will discuss the information and factors in this article.

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Factors to Consider When Determining How Long It May Take to Settle a Car Accident Claim in Florida

• A lawsuit – If the other driver or the insurance company admitted fault, which leads to a dispute, then the lawsuit will resolve the case.
• Medical treatment – The length of time that it takes for you to complete medical treatment.
• Unable to agree on a settlement – If the insurance company cannot agree on a settlement and refuse to give you a reasonable amount.
• The right personal injury lawyer – If you hired a personal injury lawyer with the right experience and knowledge so that your car accident case is not delayed.

Why Some Car Accident Claims Take Longer to Settle in Florida

• Legal or factual issues- If liability is difficult to prove or the insurance company thinks that your car accident claim is not valid, then it can take longer to resolve. Another possible issue is when a reckless or negligent driver is involved.
• Amount of money- Insurance companies are known to avoid paying out a large amount of money for people who were involved in car accidents. In many cases, an insurance company will make you wait longer so that you give up and accept less compensation than you deserve.
• Recovery times- If your recovery process has not been completed yet, then it can be challenging to determine the overall costs of your injuries.

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How Will a Car Accident Lawyer Prove Liability?

It is necessary that you hire a car accident lawyer with the necessary skills and resources to prove liability for your car accident case. A car accident lawyer will prove the four points of negligence:

• Duty of care – All road users have a legal responsibility to drive safely and abide by the rules of the road.
• Breach of duty – If a driver is caught being reckless or careless on the road, then they have breached their duty of care.
• Causation – If the careless or reckless actions of a driver resulted in a car accident, then they could be held liable for your injuries or losses.
• Damages – A car accident lawyer will work hard to demonstrate the losses that you suffered in the car accident caused by the careless or reckless driver.

Florida Statute 768.81 outlines the negligence laws in the State of Florida. It is important that you seek legal counsel with a car accident attorney as soon as possible after a crash. A car accident attorney will discuss your personal injury claim in-depth and negotiate with the insurance companies involved to make sure that liability is proven.

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What to Do After a Car Accident

It is important that you know what to do after a car accident, especially if you have been injured and you require medical treatment. The Florida personal injury lawyers at The Law Place recommend that you take the following advice at the scene of the car crash:

• Move to safety – If you are in danger at the location of the accident, then you should move to safety.
• Check for injuries – If you or someone else were hurt in a car accident, then you should pick up your phone to call an ambulance.
• Call the police – Florida Statute 316.062 requires you to use your phone to call the police to the scene of the accident. Once a police officer makes it to the accident scene, they will file a police report of the crash (remember to get a copy for your records).
• Contact details – You must collect the contact details of the drivers involved in the car accident, including their names, phone numbers, addresses, insurance information, vehicle registration numbers, and more.
• Collect evidence – If you are physically capable, you should try to collect evidence at the scene of the car accident by taking pictures and videos of the crash site, road marks, motor vehicles, property damage, injuries, and more.
• Go to the hospital – You have a responsibility to go to the hospital and seek medical treatment immediately after an accident. It is important that you see a doctor, even if you think that you did not suffer an injury. There are plenty of injuries that hide beneath the surface and do not develop signs until days or weeks after a crash. Florida Statute 627.736 explains that you will be exempt from recovering compensation for injuries unless you go to the hospital within 14 days after an accident.
• Insurance company – Your insurance company requires you to tell them about a car accident straight away. You are given a certain amount of time to tell your insurance company about an accident (the exact time is written in your policy). However, try to avoid telling your insurance company about the details of your car accident because they will use your words against you. You can also ask your Florida car accident attorney to speak to your insurance company instead.
• Hire a car accident lawyer – It is important that you seek legal representation with a reputable law firm after you have been injured in a car accident in the State of Florida. The Law Place will discuss the details of your car accident case and help you to win the compensation that you deserve. Call our office to schedule a free consultation now.

Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents

An injury sustained in a car accident can lead to extensive medical bills and other related losses. It is important that you hire a car accident lawyer with the necessary experience and knowledge to help you with your Florida car accident case. The car accident lawyers at The Law Place have managed hundreds of car accident cases involving injuries such as:

• Burns and scars. 
• Fractures. 
• Whiplash.
• Joint, bone, and muscle injuries.
• Head injuries.
• Soft tissue injuries.
• Spinal cord injuries.
• Internal organ damage.
• Permanent disability. 
• Disfigurement.
• Loss of limbs. 
• Paralysis. 
• Traumatic brain injuries.

The Law Place will work closely with your doctor to determine the maximum medical improvement of the injuries that you suffered in the car crash. We want to make sure that we recover the compensation that you need to cover all of your medical bills and other losses. However, if we cannot agree on a settlement with the insurance company, then we will go to court with your case.

Methods of Recovering Compensation After a Car Accident

It might seem like a complicated process to recover compensation after a car accident. However, the right personal injury attorney will make the process as easy as possible for you to understand. A personal injury lawyer from The Law Place will explain all of the possible methods of recovering compensation after a crash.

• Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance- All road users have a responsibility to hold personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other losses up to a certain amount, regardless of the person who was at fault for the car crash. Florida Statute 627.736 explains the personal injury protection (PIP) insurance laws.
• A negligent driver’s insurance- If someone else is proven to be at fault for the car accident, then you could hold them liable for the medical bills and other losses that exceed the limits of your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance policy.
• An auto accident lawsuit- If you have serious injuries, then you should consider filing a car accident claim against the at-fault party by hiring a car accident lawyer and going through the civil court system.

The Law Place will work hard to develop your case by gathering all of the relevant facts and information so that we can negotiate for the maximum amount of compensation that you deserve. We will explore all of the possibilities to claim compensation through your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage, the other driver’s car insurance company, and by going to court with your case.

Compensation for Car Accidents in the State of Florida

There are two different categories for recovering compensation – economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are determined by looking into bills and invoices.

• Medical bills – The costs of hospitalization, visits to the doctor, surgery, medical equipment, physical therapy, rehabilitation, prescription medication, and more.
• Loss of income- The costs of the money you lost due to not being able to work, a reduced earning capacity, and future lost earnings.
• Property damage- The costs to repair or replace your motor vehicle, mobile phone, clothes, and other property damage.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages cannot be determined by referencing bills or invoices.

• Pain and suffering- Compensation for a reduced quality of life, including emotional distress, mental anguish, physical pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and other forms of pain and suffering.
• Wrongful death- Compensation for the loss of a loved one in a car accident includes funeral bills, medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more. Florida Statute 768.21 explains wrongful death laws.

Contact The Law Place Today

If you have questions or concerns about a car accident, then you should consider speaking to a car accident attorney. We will guide you through the legal system with skill and efficiency. Our phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Contact The Law Place at (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation today.

Call or text 941-444-4444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form