How Long Does It Take To Settle A Personal Injury Claim?
Brian O Sutter
Personal Injury
When you’ve been practicing personal injury law as long as we have, you find that people have the same concerns about their case. They worry if the settlement will be enough to cover all their expenses. They are afraid about the financial security of their family into the future. Mostly though, they are worried that the debt collectors will come before they get their settlement and they will lose everything they’ve built. This is a valid concern as insurance companies will do everything they can to drag out the process, hoping to hit the statute of limitations so they don’t have to pay. Don’t Be Tempted By Quick Settlements
The financial pressure can build, making it very tempting to take a quick settlement from the insurance company. The problem is though, once you accept a settlement offer, you can’t get more money. That means if you settle for $10,000, and your doctor discovers your injuries are worse than they originally thought and now you need a $50,000 surgery, you are on your own to pay that bill. Insurance companies understand that the financial pressure builds and they will manipulate that situation for their financial benefit. They will absolutely take advantage of your stress and financial pressure to lowball you.
Getting A Fair Settlement Is A Process
Insurance companies over complicate the process intentionally to frustrate people into taking a lower settlement than what their damages are truly worth. However, if you fight back, it takes time. There is a pretty involved process in getting a full and fair payment for all your injuries including:
● Establishing Liability: Liability is the legal determination of who is at fault for the accident. As Florida uses a system of comparative fault, insurance companies will try to pin as much fault on you as possible so they don’t have to pay as much money. So in order to get the full payment for your damages you have to provide evidence of liability on behalf of the defendant. This takes time because it includes acquiring police records, witness statements, and expert testimony.
● Determining Damages: Damages are not cut and dry. Often times what seems like a minor injury can turn into a major health issue. So in order to determine the full extent of damages will take medical examinations, documentation of financial losses like lost wages and benefits, and calculating the long term expenses associated with your injuries.
● Proving Causality: Finally, you have to prove that the actions of the liable party caused all of your damages. This is where insurance companies really play dirty. They will do everything they can to ensure you look like you are lying about your injuries. They will pour through your medical records, your driving history, anything they can find and use it against you.
Ultimately, doing all these things can take time, but it is worth it because in the end you’ll get the full compensation for your injuries rather than what the insurance company wants to pay you.
Working with an experienced personal injury attorney can help. With 30 years of defending Florida accident victims like yourself, we know how to get through the process quickly. We’ll help you collect all the evidence needed to prove your claim, we’ll fight against the dirty tricks of the insurance companies, and help you get a settlement that covers your losses. In the end, it’s not about how long it takes, it’s about getting paid what you are owed. Call us today at 1-941-625-HURT for a free consultation and to learn how long your unique personal injury claim will take.