Car Accident Settlement Timeline In Gainesville, FL
If you were injured in a car accident, you might be wondering about the car accident settlement timeline in Gainesville, FL. You might be anxious to get money to help pay off medical bills and other bills that have piled up while you’ve been out of work and recovering from your injuries.
The amount of time it takes to settle a car accident claim is different in each situation. However, knowing the various timelines and steps involved in the settlement process can give you a better idea about the process ahead.
Here are the steps that generally take place in a car accident settlement:
Getting Into an Accident
Getting into a car accident can be a confusing and shocking experience. However, the car accident scene will not stay there for long, so it’s important to know what to do immediately.
Here are some steps to follow to protect your claim:
- Get to a safe place as near the scene of the accident as possible.
- Check for injuries.
- Report the accident to authorities.
- Exchange insurance information with the other driver. Also, ask for their name, contact information, driver’s license number, and vehicle information.
- Ask any witnesses for their names and contact information.
- Take pictures of the accident scene, the vehicles involved in the crash, and the damage.
If you are too injured to do the tasks listed above, ask a passenger or other person to do it for you.
Reporting the Accident to Law Enforcement
If you did not initially report the accident as an injury crash and an officer did not respond to the scene, Florida law requires you to complete a long-form accident report. This must be done within 10 days of the crash.
Seeking Medical Treatment
If you are injured, you should seek medical attention immediately. Florida law requires you to seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident for your Personal Injury Protection to cover your medical expenses. However, the sooner you seek treatment, the sooner you can have your injuries diagnosed and receive the help you need to recover.
Keep all of your medical records and test results. You will need them to process your claim. Follow all of your doctor’s advice, including restrictions on work and physical activity.
Reporting the Accident to the Insurance Company
You must report the accident to your insurance company within the time described in your policy. Failure to do so can result in a claim denial by the insurance company.
Reporting your accident as soon as possible can help protect your ability to recover the compensation you deserve.
Consulting With an Attorney
Many personal injury lawyers offer a free case review to discuss how to help with your car accident claim.
If you hire a car accident attorney, they can help with your claim by:
- Communicating with insurance adjusters
- Conducting a thorough investigation into the accident and who is at fault
- Filing claims on your behalf
- Gathering evidence to prove the full extent of your injuries
- Negotiating for maximum compensation for your claim
Most personal injury lawyers also work on a contingency-fee basis, so you don’t have to pay the attorney’s fees upfront. You may also not be required to pay anything at all for the attorney’s services unless they successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
Investigating the Accident
Insurers generally have 14 calendar days to acknowledge a claim after receiving written notice of it. After you make a claim, the insurance company will likely conduct an investigation into the accident. Your lawyer may investigate as well.
The investigation may consist of:
- Reviewing the accident report and any initial findings of fault or traffic citations
- Reading witness statements
- Interviewing witnesses
- Reviewing insurance policies
- Analyzing pictures and videos of the accident
- Reviewing medical records
- Requesting additional information
Your lawyer may work with accident reconstruction experts in some cases if it is not clear how the crash occurred.
Preparing a Demand Letter
Your lawyer can prepare a detailed demand letter stating how the accident occurred and demanding compensation in exchange for not suing.
The amount of compensation your lawyer demands on your behalf will be based on the damages you suffered, which might include the following:
- Medical expenses you incurred for emergency treatment and treatment you received shortly after the accident
- Anticipated future medical expenses
- Lost wages, salary, tips, commissions, overtime pay, and employment benefits
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
Your lawyer can meticulously create your demand package and seek the full compensation you are due.
Engaging in Settlement Negotiations
The insurance company may respond to the settlement letter by offering to settle it for a lesser amount. It may take several weeks, months, or even longer for the insurance company and your lawyer to go back and forth and finally agree on a fair settlement. It is up to you whether you wish to accept a settlement offer or proceed to court.
Denying or Paying the Claim
Florida law considers any PIP claims overdue if benefits are not paid within 30 days of receiving written notice of the covered loss.
Within 90 days of receiving notice of the claim, the insurance company must pay or deny the claim.
Receiving Your Settlement Check
The insurer must send the claimant the settlement check within 20 days of reaching the settlement. This is usually paid to you and your lawyer. Your attorney will deduct their fee and any costs from this amount. When you settle your case, you waive your right to seek any additional compensation from the insurance company based on the same claim.
Contact a Knowledgeable Gainesville Car Accident Lawyer for Assistance
Allen Law Firm, P.A. can provide a car accident settlement timeline in Gainesville, FL and explain how individual factors in your case can affect it. Our goal will be to resolve your case as quickly as possible while not sacrificing the fair compensation you deserve. Contact us today by calling (877) 255-3652 for your free case review with a Gainesville car accident attorney.
