How much someone can sue for a car accident in Florida depends on the details of their case and the damages they suffered because of the crash. If you were in an accident and sustained an injury, you might be facing medical bills, damage to your car, and pain and suffering. A Florida car accident lawyer can calculate these damages to help you pursue compensation that covers all your losses.
A Florida personal injury lawyer from our firm can file a lawsuit against the negligent party on your behalf. They can also calculate the value of your case so you can seek an amount of compensation that adequately covers your losses.
What Factors Affect the Value of a Car Accident Case in Florida?
Every case is different, so the amount of compensation you could recover after a car accident depends on the unique circumstances of your accident. Some factors that could affect the value of your case include:
- The severity of your injuries
- Whether you are able to work
- The total amount of money you spent on medical care
- Whether your car was damaged, and if so, how much it will cost to repair it
Damages a Personal Injury Attorney Could Recover for You When You Sue
The amount of compensation you receive will depend on how the accident impacted your life. You could suffer lacerations and bruises or more serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, neck injuries, internal bleeding, and broken bones.
You could require surgery, hospitalization, several rounds of diagnostic tests and lab work, the assistance of medical devices and equipment, months of physical therapy, or even long-term care. Recovering from your injuries could take months or years. This could result in crushing medical bills that threaten to ruin you financially.
And if your injuries are so severe that you temporarily or permanently can’t work to earn an income, you won’t be able to pay your medical bills, or any other bills for that matter.
A personal injury lawyer can calculate the value of your case by taking into account your medical expenses, lost income, and more including:
- Childcare costs so you can make it to your appointments without worrying about supervising your kids.
- Household service costs so you don’t have to worry about cleaning the house or doing yard work.
- Property damage to replace items such as your phone or to get repairs for your vehicle.
- Non-economic damages are more difficult to calculate, but compensation can cover your pain and suffering along with emotional distress, mental anguish, disability, disfigurement, and loss of life enjoyment.
- Wrongful death damages typically cover the cost of funeral services, medical expenses, and lost income that your loved one would have provided your household.
Evidence You Can Use To Prove the Value of Your Case
You’ll need to gather evidence to prove you suffered damages and that you need compensation from the liable party. Evidence you could use to support the value of your case includes:
- Receipts from the car repair shop
- Medical bills
- Any receipts from travel to doctor’s appointments, such as if you needed to pay for public transportation or parking
- Proof of the income you lost because of your injuries
If you have any other evidence that demonstrates the amount of money you lost, bring it to your lawyer. They may be able to use this proof to calculate the value of your case.
What Are Damage Caps and Do They Apply to Your Case?
Damage caps are limits on the amount of compensation you can collect from the negligent party or their insurance provider for your injuries and financial losses. While some states have caps on damages, the state of Florida does not.
There are no caps on economic damages, nor are there caps on non-economic damages. That means you can seek an amount of compensation that will adequately cover your losses regardless of how high your case’s value is.
You Cannot Ask for More Money Once You Settle Your Case
It’s important to ensure the amount of compensation you demand when you sue adequately covers all your losses. Once you agree to a settlement, you cannot reopen your case and ask for more money. Before accepting an offer, consider:
- Whether your injuries will impact your career in the long term, and if you’ll be able to return to work at all
- If your injuries will require ongoing medical care
If the settlement offer does not reflect the future care you may need, you might want to speak to an attorney. They can help you determine whether a settlement offer is fair and offer you advice before you accept an offer that might be too low.
When Should You Consult an Attorney After a Florida Car Accident?
You may want to consider speaking with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident. A lawyer can help you organize your options, gather evidence, and file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations runs out in your case, which is two years from the date of your injury, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11.
In some cases, exceptions to the statute of limitations may alter your filing deadline. Personal injury lawyers understand the ins and outs of the legal system and can help you understand the filing deadline that applies to your case.
Learn More About How Much You Can Sue for a Car Accident in Florida Today
You have injuries and financial losses that compensation can cover. Our law firm has won multi-million-dollar settlements for victims like you. We can help you regain a sense of normalcy in your life so you can move forward.
To learn more about how much you can sue for a car accident in Florida, or to get a free consultation with a team member from GED Lawyers, please contact us today. We are ready to talk to you about your case.
