If you have been hurt in a car crash, you will likely resolve your claim with your own insurance company due to state law. This no-fault system tends to decrease the time it takes to settle. However, many variables impact the claim-settlement period, so it is impossible to guarantee a particular timeframe.
The Largey Law Firm is here to advance your interests, especially when your insurer does not offer you a suitable settlement. Whether you want to work with your insurance company or recover from an at-fault driver through their insurer or by taking them to court, our car accident attorneys are devoted to securing compensation for the entire range of your damages.
No-Fault Insurance: Settling with Your Own Insurance Company
Under Fla. Stat. §§ 627.730𑂾627.7405 (2022), motorists may receive certain payouts more quickly from their own insurers. State law facilitates this by obligating drivers to carry no-fault insurance and removing the need for lengthy fault determinations. Florida motorists must maintain no-fault coverage, meeting the minimums set by Fla. Stat. § 627.736: $10,000 for personal injury protection and $10,000 for property damage liability.
From this coverage, injured motorists can benefit by submitting claims to their own insurance companies. These settlements should take far less time than attempts to recover from an at-fault driver by means of that driver’s insurer or by litigation. Despite the existence of your legally compliant no-fault insurance, your insurer’s settlement offer may be insubstantial.
PIP only covers medical, disability, and death benefits. Other injuries beyond property damage are not recoverable under PIP coverage. Your insurance company employs adjusters who are well-trained in protecting the interests of their employer, meaning there is a high chance your insurer will find reasons to deny your claim or minimize payouts. This can lead to protracted negotiations that diminish the efficiency objective of the state No-Fault Law.
Financial Responsibility and Settlements Based on Fault
In addition to no-fault insurance, drivers in Florida must show adequate proof of financial responsibility to answer for the bodily injuries they cause in auto wrecks. A policy satisfying minimum proof encompasses, for a single accident, $10,000 of bodily injury coverage per person and $20,000 of the same type of coverage when two or more people are harmed or killed.
An injured person can pursue compensation from at-fault drivers by submitting a claim to their insurer. A person may recover for harm insured under, but surpassing the limits of, their PIP and property damage coverage. They may also seek recompense or damages for pain, suffering, mental anguish, inconvenience, and serious physical injuries, such as disfigurement.
Remedies requiring allocations of fault prompt procedural steps that slow the progress of a final settlement. Someone trying to recover from an at-fault driver’s insurance company will have to wait for non-judicial investigations into the cause of a collision. Then, negotiations begin.
Going to court is a notoriously sluggish undertaking, even if a complaint is filed in the hope of provoking settlement talks. If these discussions break down, winning a personal injury case against an at-fault driver for specific damages takes significant time.
Auto-Wreck Claims Take Time, How Much Depends on Your Legal Approach
The timeframe for settling car accident disputes varies widely, but skilled legal counsel could help you find the best approach based on your needs.
At Largey Law Firm, our attorneys collaborate with you to decide how you want to proceed with an auto wreck claim. If you need immediate funds for medical costs, we can negotiate with your insurer to achieve a worthy settlement. Alternatively, or alongside a resolution with your insurance company, we can explore options grounded in fault, so you receive the compensation you are entitled to. Call now to discuss your options with us.
