What Is the Typical Settlement for a Car Accident in Florida?

One of the first questions people ask after a serious collision is: What is the average car accident settlement in Florida?

The problem is that there is no single settlement amount that accurately represents what a Florida car accident case is worth.

A relatively minor collision involving temporary injuries and limited treatment can look completely different from a crash involving surgery, permanent impairment, substantial lost income, or insufficient insurance coverage.

Instead of relying on an online “average,” a car accident claim should be evaluated using the specific facts of the case.

What Determines the Value of a Florida Car Accident Settlement?

Several factors can influence a settlement.

Severity of the Injuries

Generally, an injury requiring extensive medical treatment has different financial consequences than an injury that resolves quickly.

Relevant issues can include:

The length and nature of medical treatment alone do not determine value, but they can be important evidence of the effect of an injury.

Medical Expenses

Past medical expenses are often part of the evaluation, but future healthcare needs can matter as well.

A serious injury may require additional treatment, surgery, medication, therapy, assistive devices, or ongoing medical care.

Lost Income and Reduced Earning Ability

If an injury causes a person to miss work, lost wages may be part of the claim.

More serious injuries can also affect a person’s ability to perform the same job or earn the same income in the future.

Pain and Suffering

Depending on the circumstances, a car accident claim may also include compensation for non-economic losses such as:

These losses do not come with an invoice, so evaluating them requires consideration of how the injury has actually affected the injured person’s life.

Insurance Coverage Can Limit Recovery

A case can involve substantial damages but limited available insurance.

For that reason, investigating all potentially applicable coverage is important. Depending on the accident, this can include:

A serious crash may also involve more than one responsible party.

Fault Can Affect the Settlement

Florida’s comparative fault law can reduce compensation when the injured person shares responsibility for the accident.

For many negligence claims, a person found more than 50% responsible for his or her own harm generally cannot recover damages under Florida’s modified comparative fault rule.

That makes evidence concerning how the collision occurred particularly important.

What Is a Maitland Car Accident Claim Worth?

There is no reliable calculator that can determine the value of a claim based solely on the type of accident or diagnosis.

A proper evaluation looks at liability, injuries, insurance coverage, medical treatment, financial losses, future needs, and the overall effect the crash has had on the injured person.

For example, two people involved in similar rear-end collisions on Maitland Boulevard could ultimately have very different claims if one recovers quickly while the other requires surgery and misses months of work.

If an insurance company’s offer does not reasonably reflect the value of your claim, you may also want to read about whether it is worth suing after a car accident in Florida.

Talk With a Maitland Car Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a collision, Kennon Law can review the circumstances of the accident, available insurance coverage, your injuries, and the damages that may be recoverable.

Our Maitland car accident lawyers represent clients throughout Maitland and Central Florida from our Maitland office.

Contact Kennon Law for a free consultation to discuss your car accident claim.