Maybe you were on your way to work or on your way to visit relatives. Maybe you were running an errand or picking someone up from the airport. Whatever you were doing, the end result was that you were injured in a car accident and now you’re dealing with costly medical bills, a long recovery and missed time off work. Regardless of how the accident happened, one of the most common issues that accident victims face is wondering how they’re going to pay their bills and keep their families afloat when they’re not even able to return to work. That’s why knowing how long a car accident case will take is important to helping alleviate some of your stresses during this difficult time.
Florida’s Car Insurance Laws
Florida is a no-fault insurance state, which means that any driver who is injured in an accident, regardless of fault, is first covered through their own personal car insurance. Every driver in Florida is required to carry at least $10,000 in personal injury protection and $10,000 in property damage liability.
How Are Settlement Amounts Determined?
When it comes to settlements, there is no one size fits all formula. Instead, settlement amounts are usually determined by a number of factors such as:
- The extent of your injuries
- Loss of any current and future wages
- Your medical bills and ongoing expenses
- The type of insurance coverage each driver involved in the accident has
- The amount of evidence and documentation you have to support your claims
- Your percentage of fault for the accident
Florida operates under what’s known as the “pure comparative negligence” doctrine which means that your compensation award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. This means that if you are awarded a settlement of $100,00 but were found to be 20 percent at fault for the accident, your take home award would be $80,000.
How Do Car Accident Settlements Work?
In a settlement, the plaintiff (the person who was injured) will agree to a payment amount from the insurance company or other driver. While insurance companies are not allowed to engage in any unfair or deceptive practices, these companies are solely concerned with their bottom line, not your well-being. After an accident, the insurance company may want you to sign a release that states you won’t file any more claims about the accident, however, it’s advised that you seek the counsel of an experienced attorney before ever signing something.
Your attorney will be able to calculate the costs of your damages including the cost of any future medical treatment. It’s imperative that you keep hold of all forms of documentation that can substantiate your claims such as medical records, receipts, witness statements, police reports, and bills that way you can know whether or not a settlement offer is fair.
How Long Do I Have To File A Claim After A Car Accident?
Florida residents have four years from the date the car accident occurred to file a personal injury claim. This window is referred to as the statute of limitations and once it closes, so does your opportunity to recover any sort of compensation.
Contact A Lake Worth Personal Injury Lawyer To Discuss Your Car Accident Case In Florida
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a car accident in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. represent clients injured because of car accidents in Miramar, Coral Springs, Davie, Boca Raton, and throughout Florida. Call 561-898-0497 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 813 Lucerne Ave., Lake Worth, FL 33460, as well as offices in Pompano Beach.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.