If you were recently involved in a car accident, you may be anxious to settle your claim. A settlement can help pay off your medical bills and replace your lost wages. However, once you settle your claim, you won’t be able to go back and try to renegotiate a higher settlement amount, so you don’t want to settle your claim too early.
The dedicated team at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers can explain the process of making an insurance claim and give you an estimate of how long your particular case may take. Contact our legal team in New Port Richey at (727) 815-8442, to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation.
How Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With Your Car Accident Case
You have the right to select the personal injury lawyer of your choice in New Port Richey, Florida. Some of the reasons why you should consider hiring Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers are:
- We focus exclusively on personal injury cases, so we know what it takes to win.
- We have over 50 years of legal experience we can immediately put to use in your case.
- Our clients have received more than $100 million in compensation.
- You can benefit from the expertise of a Florida board-certified civil trial specialist, a recognition that very few lawyers in Florida possess, and an indication of superior knowledge, skills, and proficiency in the trial setting.
- Some of our accomplishments include being recognized in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum®, Top 50 US Verdicts – State of Florida, and Tampa Bay’s Top Trial Lawyers.
We also have a perfect AVVO Rating of 10, indicating our clients’ satisfaction with our services and the care we put into their cases. Reach out to our New Port Richey car accident lawyers today to get started.
Florida Laws on Insurance Claims
Florida has a number of laws that dictate how long insurance claims can last. Some of the timelines for an insurance claim include:
- The insurance company has 14 days to acknowledge communication regarding a claim.
- The insurer must begin investigating the claim within 14 days of receiving proof-of-loss statements.
- The insurer must notify the claimant that an adjuster has been assigned to the claim within 7 days of the assignment and that the adjuster may request a detailed estimate of the amount of loss.
- The insurer must approve or deny a claim within 90 days of receiving notice of the claim from a policyholder.
If the insurance company does not act expeditiously in regard to your claim or does not follow the timelines above, this may indicate bad faith insurance practices, and you should hire a lawyer.
Factors that Can Affect How Long a Car Accident Case Takes to Settle
Every car accident case is different. Some cases can take mere weeks to settle, while others may take years. Some of the factors that can influence how long a particular case may take to settle include:
- Extent of your injuries – The more severe your injuries, the longer your recovery will take. You do not want to attempt to settle your claim until you have fully recovered or reached the maximum medical improvement. This way, you will know exactly how severe your injuries are and what treatment you will require in the future.
- Liability – If multiple parties contributed to the accident, the claim may take longer to resolve because multiple insurance claims may be filed. Additionally, insurers may try to pass off all the blame to the other parties.
- Settlement or trial – Another important factor is whether your case is resolved through settlement, which tends to occur sooner in the process, or goes to trial, which can add significant time to the case.
An experienced car accident lawyer can evaluate your particular situation and explain the timeline that may apply to your case.
Steps in the Car Accident Claim Process
Your car accident claim may go through the following steps, or it may settle after any of these steps:
Investigation
The insurance company and your lawyer will investigate the claim and review evidence, such as:
- Photos or videos of the accident
- Accident report
- Witness statements
- Property damage reports
- Medical reports
This information will help show who was at fault for the accident and the extent of your damages.
Demand
Your lawyer prepares a demand package that summarizes the accident, explains why you’re entitled to compensation, and demands a certain amount of compensation to resolve your claim.
Negotiation
The insurance company may reject the initial demand amount and counter-offer with a lower amount. Your lawyer and the insurance company may go back and forth several times before settling on a figure.
Filing of a Complaint
If the insurance company refuses to make a satisfactory offer to settle your claim, your case may proceed to trial. This process officially begins when you file a complaint in the appropriate court and request compensation for the damages you have lost. The defendant is served with the legal paperwork and has an opportunity to respond.
Discovery
Discovery is the formal process of obtaining evidence in the case from the other side. After discovery is complete, the insurance company may attempt to resolve the case because they see what evidence will be presented if the case goes to trial.
Trial
Most car accident cases do not go to trial. However, if they do, each side puts on their case and has the opportunity to cross-examine each other’s witnesses. The judge or jury decides the outcome of the case and how much compensation to award.
Contact Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for Help
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. We are available 24/7 to take your call at (727) 815-8442, or you can contact us online to request a free case review. Our New Port Richey car accident lawyers are standing by.
