No two car accident cases are the same, so the time it takes to settle your case will depend on various unique factors. Your Boca Raton car accident lawyers, legal and insurance company representatives for the at-fault driver will each conduct an investigation. How long each investigation takes plays a big part in how long your case will take to reach a resolution.
If a car accident has caused financial hardship for you and your family, you likely want to know how long it will take to settle your car accident lawsuit. Your lawyer will explain each phase of your case, from start to finish, including possible timelines. Many law firms offer a free review of your car accident claim and will represent you at no upfront or out-of-pocket costs to you.
Florida’s Statute of Limitations Affects the Timing of Your Car Accident Lawsuit
The first personal injury time limit that affects your car accident lawsuit is the statute of limitations—the amount of time you have to file your lawsuit. In Florida, the statute of limitations changed in 2023, making it more complex. Today, you generally have:
- Two years from the date of the accident to file your personal injury lawsuit, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11.
- Two years from the date of a loved one’s demise to file your wrongful death lawsuit, according to the same statute.
- Six months from the date of the accident to present notification of your claim if a government or municipal agency is involved, according to Florida Statutes § 768.28(6)(a)(1).
Filing your lawsuit on time is a mandatory part of your case. If the filing deadline expires, you could be barred from filing your lawsuit at all. A car accident lawyer can ensure your lawsuit is filed on time and in the appropriate court.
How a Comprehensive Accident Investigation Affects Your Settlement Timeline
An investigation into your accident involves multiple actions and can take significant time. The purpose of the investigation is to prove that the other driver’s negligence caused your accident. The length of the investigation will affect the timing of your case and can include:
- Ordering police reports and medical records
- Identifying and interviewing eyewitnesses
- Obtaining any available physical evidence
- Deposing witnesses and exchanging discovery evidence
- Collecting bills, receipts, and other cost-related evidence
Compiling evidence and conducting interviews depends on other people’s input. Your lawyer will move each phase of the investigation forward as needed information is received.
It Can Take Time to Accumulate Compelling Evidence After a Car Accident
At times, you might struggle to access evidence that a lawyer could more easily obtain. Car accident evidence typically starts with an official police report and can also include:
- Forensic evidence and reports
- Car inspection reports
- Police-generated photos and video
- Security and dashcam accident scene footage
- Death certificate and autopsy results
- Accident reconstruction reports
- Lay and expert witness statements
In other cases, the severity of your injuries or caring for an injured loved one might prevent you from actively collecting evidence. When you are represented by a lawyer, they can do this for you. Their legal support will avoid unnecessarily prolonging your case and allow you to focus your time and energy on recovery for yourself or a loved one.
Accurately Assessing and Documenting Your Recoverable Damages Takes Time
After a motor vehicle accident where financial liability is clear, the at-fault driver’s insurance company might offer you a quick settlement. These can be risky because they are often made before all the bills and other evidence supporting your compensation claim are available.
To document your recoverable damages, your attorney will collect:
- Injury-related medical care bills
- Car repair bills
- Car replacement estimates
- Salary history records
Some non-economic damages can be difficult to document on your own, lengthening your lawsuit timeline. Your lawyer will gather all the evidence you need to document the full range of your compensatory damages.
Damages You Can Recover with a Car Accident Lawsuit
Proving the monetary value of your damages is essential to ensure none of your recoverable losses are overlooked or omitted. Your legal team will collect evidence of your:
- Known and anticipated medical treatment expenses
- Known and anticipated loss of wages
- Property damage or destruction
- Lasting disfigurement or disability
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional anguish
- Wrongful death damages, if applicable
A car accident attorney will describe how your damages are assessed, how each is documented, and which family members can file a wrongful death action in Florida.
Negotiating a Car Accident Settlement Can Take More Time Than You Think
Settlement negotiation is a multi-step process that can involve many different people, each with their own influence on the timeline. The settlement process typically means taking the following steps:
- Assessing your damages and making a settlement demand
- Preparing and sending a settlement demand letter to the insurer
- Weighing the feasibility of each monetary offer you receive
- Reaching a settlement agreement and receiving compensation
The insurance company will remit payment to the law firm. They will deduct their agreed-upon percentage, and you will receive the remaining amount. Many different factors of each step can influence how long it takes to reach a settlement agreement.
You Also Influence the Settlement Time of Your Car Accident Injury Claim
The decision to accept or reject a settlement offer is always yours to make. Your lawyer will not usurp your right to examine each offer. Instead, they will guide you toward making a well-informed settlement decision that best fits your needs and those of your family.
Our Car Accident Attorneys Can Help You Reach a Fair Settlement
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, you probably want to have your car repaired and your medical and other bills taken care of as soon as possible. Car accident claims can take time to resolve, but when our car accident attorneys represent you, we will work diligently to streamline the process to reach a fair settlement.
Find out how long it can take for your car accident lawsuit to settle and how we will fight to get you maximum compensation. Contact our consultation team at Ged Lawyers to get started right away.
