If you’ve been injured in a car accident, truck accident, or any other accident in Florida, you likely have medical bills piling up. You may be missing work, and you may be experiencing a lot of financial pressure as a result. We understand what you’re going through. People call us when they’re in serious trouble and need help. Our job is to help people like you.
When you’re strapped for money and the bills are piling up, you may be wondering how much money your case is worth and whether the at-fault driver’s insurance company will pay enough to cover your missed work and medical bills. Hence, this is a common question we get once people hire us: What is the average settlement for a car accident in Florida?
The answer is not very straightforward: It depends. Each auto accident has unique facts and circumstances that can affect how much the settlement is worth. That’s what this article is all about.
What is a Car Accident Claim Worth in Florida?
The value of a car accident claim in Orlando, Florida is going to depend on several factors. As we mentioned, each car accident is unique, and a unique set of circumstances may warrant a unique award of damages. However, there are several factors that can greatly affect the value of an auto accident claim. Namely, two big questions to ask are (1) who is liable and (2) how much insurance is available?
Who is Liable for the Orlando Car Accident?
When we talk about liability, we’re talking about who caused the accident. In other words, a person who is liable is a person who is responsible or partly responsible for the damages. A negligent or careless person who causes another person’s injury is “liable.”
The first issue is whether the other party was at fault for the car accident. The next big issue is whether you can prove that the other driver was at fault for the car accident.
Florida is a comparative negligence state. Thus, a person may be found to be partially liable for a car accident. If so, the amount of money that person is entitled to may be reduced by his or her percentage of fault, as determined by a jury. Thus, the doctrine of comparative negligence can reduce or eliminate an injured person's right to compensation.
How Much Insurance is Available to the Parties That Were in the Auto Accident?
After we determine who is liable for the car accident, the next big question we ask is this: How much insurance coverage is available? Few people have enough personal assets to warrant pursuing them personally. Therefore, the insurance coverage can be the limiting factor when we’re talking about the value of a car accident in Orlando, Florida. When we’re determining insurance coverage, we consider the following.
Does the At-Fault Driver Have Auto Insurance Coverage?
Often times, the at-fault driver in a Florida car accident will have no bodily injury coverage. As a result, there may not be anything available from that person's auto insurance policy to cover your medical damages. Accordingly, you may have to pursue another avenue of recovery, such as your uninsured motorist coverage. This is a coverage that would be a part of your own auto insurance policy.
Does the At-Fault Driver Have Too Little Insurance Coverage?
Sometimes, the at-fault driver in a Florida car accident will have insurance, but there will not be enough coverage to pay for your medical damages. Again, this is where you would look to your own insurance policy for coverage. Namely, you should check to see if you carry under-insured motorist coverage. Additionally, there may be other at-fault drivers involved in the accident, and those drivers may carry enough bodily injury coverage to pay for your medical bills and damages.
Is There a Car Accident Settlement Calculator for Florida Car Accidents?
Although you may have read somewhere that there is a special car accident settlement calculator for Florida accidents, there is no such thing. There is no algorithm or equation that will give us the value of an auto accident. It’s a factor-driven analysis, and it can depend upon the insurance coverage available. Below are some of the more important factors to consider when determining the value of a car accident settlement in Florida.
Your Medical Bills and Medical Records Related to the Car Accident
Your medical bills will provide a foundation for your economic damages. These damages, unlike pain and suffering, have an objective value, and that value is typically spelled out in your medical bills. Additionally, your medical records are going to indicate the type and severity of your injuries. Your medical records will also tell us how much medical treatment you will need in the future and whether your injuries are permanent. The amount of your medical bills and the nature of your injuries will have a big impact on the value of your auto accident case in Orlando, Florida.
Your Lost Wages as a Result of the Car Accident
Another type of economic damages is lost wages. Essentially, we’re talking about how much work you had to miss as a result of your car accident and the value of that missed work. Additionally, we look to see whether you will miss work in the future, and we consider the value of the work you’re going to miss. Finally, you may never be able to work in the same capacity as you did before your car accident. As a result, you may have lost earning capacity. Therefore, lost wages are another big factor in determining the value of your car accident claim.
Permanent Impairments or Physical Disabilities Caused by the Car Accident
In the most severe types of auto accidents, a person will suffer permanent disability or impairment. In these situations, it may be beneficial to hire a life care planner to evaluate the impact your injuries will have on your life. A life care planner can help us to put a number value on your past and future costs associated with your impairment or disability.
Your Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering is a form of non-economic damages. This can be thought of as an intangible damage. Therefore, it can be very difficult to assign a number value to pain and suffering. Clearly, the insurance company is going to put a low value on you pain and suffering because the goal of the insurance company is to pay you as little as possible. This is where you need a car accident attorney to fight to get you the value you deserve.
Contact Us for a FREE Legal Consultation with An Orlando Car Accident Attorney at Our Firm
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Orlando or anywhere else in Florida, we are happy to give you a free consultation and talk to you about your Orlando car accident. At our firm, lawyers do consultations, not intake people or customer service representatives. All you have to do is call us at (321) 352-7588 to schedule your free consultation, or you can contact us at our website.
A car accident can flip your life upside down. It’s a traumatic experience. When you hire our firm, you will have a direct line of communication to your attorney. We’re not a big box law firm, and we pride ourselves on providing personal and exclusive service to our clients. When you need us, we’re here for you.