Learn how the legal system works for injury claims
Car accidents in Orlando often result in serious injuries. Whether it’s a rear-end accident on State Road 408, a high-speed crash on I-4 or a head-on collision on West Anderson Street, all it takes is one small mistake by another driver to cause a bad car accident. Suddenly, you might have whiplash, a concussion or another type of serious injury that requires immediate medical care.
When that happens, you deserve to be financially compensated for all your accident-related expenses, especially if another driver caused your collision. So how much is your accident worth? How much money can you expect to receive? Who decides how much money you get? And what if I believe my claim is worth more money? Can I ask for additional financial compensation?
The answers to these seemingly straightforward questions can be much more complicated than many people realize. That’s why it’s important to understand how the compensation system works when it comes to car accidents in Florida. Otherwise, you could end up having to pay for your accident-related expenses out of your own pocket.
What is the average car accident claim in Florida?
Some studies claim that the average amount is $15,000 per injury victim. Others put that figure at $20,000 to $30,000 per accident.
Another study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) estimated the financial impact of traffic fatalities. According to the CDC, car accident fatalities cost families $55 billion each year. That figure is based on the financial impact of medical care and lost future income as well.
So how much does that work out to for each accident in Orlando? The $55 billion figure applies to motor vehicle fatalities nationwide. Each year, more than 38,000 people on average die in motor vehicle accidents in the United States. In Florida, there are 395,601 accidents each year on average, resulting in 252,390 injuries and 3,191 fatalities, according to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). As for Orlando, an average of 29,382 car accidents occur each year in Orange County, where Orlando is located. Those accidents cause an average of 21,506 injuries and 176 fatalities based on the last five years of accident data.
According to the CDC, the financial impact for fatal car accidents in Florida is $4.4 billion – $46 million in medical expenses and $4.35 billion in lost wages. As a result, each motor vehicle accident fatality costs Florida $1.37 million. As for Orange County, FL, the overall financial impact is $242.68 million.
Those are averages, though. An individual car crash may cost significantly less or more than the average, depending on the extent of the injuries and the effects on the victim’s life.
How much is my claim worth?
As the previous section illustrates, there’s no denying the tremendous financial impact of motor vehicle accidents overall, but there’s no set dollar amount when it comes to individual car accident claims. Some might be worth a few thousand dollars. Others might be worth significantly more.
The bottom line is your injury claim should be worth at least as much as the total financial impact of your accident. What that includes can be a subject of intense debate. Often, insurance companies only take into account short-term expenses immediately after an accident.
But often, that’s only a fraction of the expenses associated with many accidents. In many cases, there are long-term expenses years after an accident that should be taken into account and that injury victims should receive money for as part of their claim.
This is why it’s important to understand what you can be compensated for after your accident. Otherwise, you might not get all the money you rightfully deserve for past, present and future accident-related expenses.
What can I be compensated for?
So what expenses can you be compensated for after your Orlando car accident? If another driver caused your crash, you deserve to be paid for all past, present and future anticipated expenses associated with your crash. These often include:
- Ambulance fees
- Doctor’s appointments
- Emergency medical treatment
- Emergency surgery
- Hospital fees
- Follow-up doctor’s appointments
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medications
- Follow-up surgery
- Replacement income while you’re recovering from your injury
- Lost future income if you cannot return to work
- Pain and suffering in certain circumstances
The bottom line is you should be paid for any expenses related to your accident, regardless of how long after your accident you need such care or support.
Who decides how much my claim is worth?
Not surprisingly, the at-fault driver’s insurance company often downplays how much a claim is worth. They might even try to deny your claim, even if the other driver clearly caused your accident. That’s because they’re looking for any excuse to pay you less and save more money for their company.
Fortunately, you can be part of these discussions, especially if you have an experienced attorney on your side. Your lawyer can present evidence in support of your claim, including medical bills, vehicle repair estimates and pay stubs showing how much money you have lost by not working due to your injury. That’s why it’s important to talk to an experienced attorney as soon as possible after your Orlando auto accident.
Can I ask for more money?
Don’t be surprised if the at-fault driver’s insurance company contacts you soon after your accident and makes a settlement offer. While it might be tempting to accept such an offer, the reality is the first settlement claim offer from most insurance companies doesn’t even come close to covering all your accident-related expenses. Instead, they often only take into account expenses immediately after your accident, not long-term medical care or other future bills.
But what you might not realize is you can – and should – ask for more money. You don’t have to accept their first offer. And in many cases, your lawyer can improve your ability to demand the additional money you deserve. Such negotiations can be very complicated. The at-fault driver’s insurance company will insist they can’t offer you a penny more. Experienced attorneys know better and know how to negotiate effectively with insurance companies. That’s why it’s important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible.
How can a lawyer help me?
There are so many reasons why it’s important to have an experienced attorney on your side after your Orlando car accident. In order for your lawyer to negotiate effectively with the at-fault driver’s insurance company on your behalf and demand more money, your attorney needs to build a strong legal case in support of your injury claim. This often involves conducting an in-depth, independent investigation into your accident. From reviewing your official accident report to tracking down witnesses or consulting with accident reconstruction experts, there’s no room for error when it comes to such complex legal cases.
Even then, there’s no guarantee that the other driver’s insurance company will negotiate in good faith with your lawyer. Sometimes, you have to take legal action and file a lawsuit to demand the money you deserve, especially if the insurance company acts in bad faith or denies your injury claim.
This is why it’s important to have an experienced Orlando car accident lawyer who knows the city and understands how the legal system works in Orange County. Many attorneys offer a free case evaluation for such cases. Contact one near you in Orlando.
