Enduring lengthy delays while awaiting a car accident settlement can be frustrating, especially when you’re juggling medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. If months have dragged on without a resolution, you may be wondering, “Why is my car accident settlement taking so long?”
The frustrating truth is that numerous factors can contribute to delays in reaching a fair settlement after an auto collision. From insurance companies dragging their feet to complex medical issues and liability disputes, the reasons behind a sluggish claims process can vary.
Understanding some of the reasons car accident settlements get delayed is the first step toward protecting your rights. With the right legal strategy and help from a Davie car accident lawyer, you may be able to overcome roadblocks and reach a solution more efficiently.
What Are Some Of the Most Common Delays In Car Accident Settlement Claims?
Several issues can contribute to delays in resolving a car accident injury claim and reaching a fair settlement. Understanding these common roadblocks is important to managing expectations and knowing when to enlist legal help from a Davie personal injury lawyer.
Disputes Over Liability Are Causing Delays
One of the biggest holdups occurs when there is a dispute over who was at fault for the accident. Insurance companies may try to deflect blame onto you or argue that another party was partially or fully responsible. This makes them hesitant to accept liability and settle.
Proving liability requires an extensive investigation gathering evidence like:
- Police reports
- Eyewitness testimony
- Footage from traffic cameras
- Accident reconstruction analysis
- Vehicle damage documentation
- Without clear evidence proving their insured was negligent, insurers will drag their feet on settling to avoid overpaying on the claim.
Complex Medical Issues Are Extending the Timeline
Substantial injuries requiring lengthy medical treatment and future care can significantly extend the settlement timeline. Insurance companies will want to wait until your condition stabilizes and a full prognosis and treatment plan is determined before calculating complete damages.
This is because your claim needs to account for:
- All current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages during recovery
- Potential loss of future earnings
- Permanency of injuries or disabilities
- Until medical documentation definitively shows the full extent of your injuries, calculating an appropriate settlement value is difficult.
Insurance Bad Faith Tactics Are Stalling the Process
Unfortunately, some insurance providers intentionally delay and drag out negotiations as a tactic to take advantage of claimants. Their motives may include:
- Hoping you’ll settle for a low-ball offer out of desperation
- Attempting to avoid responsibility by finding loopholes
- Understaffing and overworking adjusters to create huge backlogs
- These bad faith stall tactics can prevent you from getting the compensation you rightfully deserve in a timely manner.
An Insufficient Settlement Offer Is Prolonging Negotiations
Many cases get significantly drawn out when the insurance company’s first settlement offer is unacceptably low compared to your damages. This prompts counteroffers and contentious back-and-forth negotiations between you (or your attorney) and the claims adjuster.
Without the backing of evidence proving the full extent of your:
- Medical costs
- Lost income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Insurance companies have little motivation to make a reasonable initial offer. This can result in protracted negotiations as you fight for fair compensation.
How Can A Lawyer Speed Up The Settlement Process?
There are several impactful ways that hiring an experienced car accident lawyer in Davie can help overcome delays and expedite your claim, including:
- Conducting an immediate investigation and gathering evidence to undeniably prove the other party’s fault
- Compiling and organizing all documentation of your damages like medical bills, lost wages info, repair costs, etc.
- Handling all communication and negotiations with insurance adjusters to prevent issues from being drawn out
- Calling in expert witnesses (accident reconstructionists, medical specialists, etc.) to definitively support your case when necessary
- Having the skill and leverage to resolve disputes through mediation or litigation if the insurance company won’t cooperate
Having an attorney managing your case shows the insurance company you are serious about your claim and your willingness to take the matter to trial if they refuse to make a reasonable offer.
What Damages Can I Pursue In A Car Accident Claim In Florida?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence in Florida, you may be able to recover compensation for a variety of damages. An experienced car accident lawyer can help ensure you pursue the full amount you may be owed, which can include:
Economic Damages
- Medical Expenses – This covers the cost of emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, doctor visits, medications, medical equipment, physical therapy, and any future anticipated treatment related to your injuries.
- Lost Wages – You can recover wages lost from being unable to work during your recovery, as well as compensation for lost future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to the same line of work.
- Property Damage – This allows for repair or replacement of your vehicle and any other property damaged in the accident.
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and Suffering – This aims to compensate you for the physical pain and emotional/mental distress caused by the accident and injuries.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life – When injuries prevent you from participating in hobbies, activities, and experiences you previously enjoyed.
- Loss of Consortium – This covers the loss of services, aid, comfort, and companionship for your spouse due to your injuries.
Contact A Car Accident Law Firm in Davie To Help Speed The Settlement Process
While minor fender benders may be quickly resolved through insurance, any auto collision resulting in significant injuries or complex liability issues warrants legal representation. An experienced Davie car accident lawyer can be the catalyst to efficiently resolving your case.
At Winston Law Firm, our attorneys have decades of combined experience taking on insurance companies and winning maximum compensation for our clients. We understand the tactics they use to delay and undervalue claims, and we have proven effective strategies to overcome these hurdles.
Don’t continue struggling with an insurance company giving you the runaround. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation on your claim, and let us fight for the fair settlement you deserve to make a full recovery from this accident. We don’t get paid unless we recover money for you, so you have nothing to lose.
