How Long After a Car Accident Can You Claim Injury?

19 Jul How Long After a Car Accident Can You Claim Injury?

How long after a car accident can you claim injury? In Florida, you generally have two years to file a personal injury claim. Florida’s statutes of limitations set this deadline, including for wrongful death lawsuits. Even with strong evidence against the party at fault, missing this deadline can prevent you from receiving financial compensation. There are few exceptions, and processes such as negotiations with insurance companies can delay your case. The earlier you start, the better. 

We are here to help you navigate this process. Contact us today to ensure your rights are protected and your claim is filed on time.

Call us at (813) 598-4868

It Takes Time to Build a Personal Injury Case

Each step in a personal injury claim can be time-consuming. Our firm’s lawyer must investigate the accident, collect evidence, and calculate damages. The first step in seeking compensation is to file an auto insurance claim. Settlement negotiations can also be lengthy.

You must also follow through on certain things. For example, you need to see a physician and get a diagnosis of your injuries. You may be referred to specialists, and scheduling an appointment can take a long time.

You can better protect your right to compensation if you start working on your case as soon as possible. You may need to spend more time if you decide to represent yourself because you are unfamiliar with the legal system.

Florida Car Accident Compensation Potential

Your injuries may be covered if another driver was negligent and caused your accident. They may be liable for both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

You may be entitled to compensation for economic damages if a court finds that the accident was caused by a negligent driver. Economic damages can include:

• Emergency room services and ambulance services
• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost wages or reduced earning potential
• Treatment for chronic injuries
• Costs of towing, repairs, and replacements for your vehicle
• Other out-of-pocket expenses

In Florida, economic damages are not limited to personal injury lawsuits.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages include mental suffering, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. You may need to prove that your Florida auto accident resulted in permanent injuries to receive non-economic damages.

In certain situations, there may be no cap on non-economic damages. There are specific criteria that must be met before these damages can be awarded. You will need to provide documentation from a doctor to prove that your symptoms are persistent.

In some cases, such as those involving intentional misconduct or gross negligence, the court can also award punitive damages.

Determining Liability for an Accident

Determining liability for an accident can also be a lengthy process. In an automobile accident, the driver responsible for the accident may be held liable for damages. You will need to prove that the at-fault driver acted negligently by, for example, violating traffic rules.

Here are some examples of road negligence:

• Running through a stop sign or red light
• Speeding
• Failure to yield
• Failure to yield the right-of-way to another vehicle
• Illegal lane change
• Failing to signal a turn
• Driving without headlights at night
• Drunk driving

Insurance companies may claim that you are at fault for an accident. Our firm’s personal injury lawyer would then conduct an independent investigation to counter these findings. This step takes time to complete.

Determining Liability for an Accident

Determining liability for an accident can also be a lengthy process. In an automobile accident, the driver responsible for the accident may be held liable for damages. You will need to prove that the at-fault driver acted negligently by, for example, violating traffic rules.

Here are some examples of road negligence:

• Running through a stop sign or red light
• Speeding
• Failure to yield
• Failure to yield the right-of-way to another vehicle
• Illegal lane change
• Failing to signal a turn
• Driving without headlights at night
• Drunk driving

Insurance companies may claim that you are at fault for an accident. Our firm’s personal injury lawyer would then conduct an independent investigation to counter these findings. This step takes time to complete.

When You Share Fault for Your Accident

In a case involving a car accident, Florida’s modified comparative negligence law could apply. If you’re partially at fault for the accident, your compensation could be reduced proportionally. For example, if a court determines that you were 25% at fault for an accident, it may reduce your award by 25%.

Due to the passage of Florida House Bill 837, if you’re deemed to be more than 50% at fault for your injuries, you won’t be eligible to sue another party involved in the incident.

It is important to seek legal help. A car accident lawyer with experience can conduct an investigation of the accident and assign fault correctly.

What to Do After a Crash

If you have been injured in an accident, you can improve your case’s outcome by taking the following steps:

• Seek medical care as soon as you can so that a doctor may diagnose your injury and begin treatment.
• Organize any accident reports, photographs, or videos that you may have taken at the accident site.
• Report the accident to your local police and insurance company.
• Be aware of Florida’s statutes of limitation to know how long you have to take legal action.
• Obtain legal representation when filing a personal injury or insurance claim. You have the legal right to seek assistance from a lawyer.

What an Auto Accident Lawyer Can Do for You

An experienced attorney can make all the difference when dealing with the aftermath of an accident or any other personal injury claim caused by someone else’s negligence.

Our auto accident attorneys are compassionate and dedicated to ensuring that those injured receive fair compensation. We know that selecting the right personal injury lawyer is a big decision.

Our legal team has decades of combined experience, a proven track record of securing multi-million dollar settlements for our clients, and a personalized approach to your case. We are dedicated to personal injury claims and can help you receive compensation for your car accident.

We are always available to answer questions and to meet you wherever you are. When you choose our firm, you’re choosing a team dedicated to helping you and your family in times of crisis.

Our Legal Services Are Affordable for All

We believe that everyone should be able to access professional legal representation regardless of their financial circumstances. We’re here to help you right now, even if you don’t have the money to hire an attorney.

You can choose to have your case handled on a contingent-fee basis, which means there are no upfront fees for you. This arrangement allows us to begin working on your case immediately without financial barriers.

We also offer free consultations so that you can fully understand your legal options, including the deadlines. Our goal is to make the legal system as transparent and accessible as possible, so you can make an informed decision about your case.

Contact our personal injury firm today!

Contact Kevin L. Sullivan II – Car Accident Attorney

Kevin L. Sullivan II can help you determine how long you have to file your claim for a car accident during a complimentary consultation. We represent accident victims in Florida and want to know how we can assist you.

We work quickly to meet deadlines. We start working on your case right away and keep an eye on the statute of limitations during negotiations with insurance companies.

Contact us today to start the process!

Call us at (813) 598-4868

Contact Accident Attorney Kevin L. Sullivan II TODAY at (813) 598-4868 for a FREE no-obligation consultation. I look forward to assisting you with your claim!