This page will look at Florida’s no-fault insurance system and its impact on settlement amounts for victims of auto collisions. To learn more or speak with a member of our legal team, please call our law office today at 800-726-6326, ext. 123.
Settlement Amounts in Florida by Type of Injury
One of the most significant determinants of a settlement amount for a car accident in Florida is the severity of injuries. Compensation typically ranges from as little as $1,000 to as high as $500,000, depending on the costs of your medical bills, lost wages, and the emotional impact of your injuries.
Minor Injuries
For cases involving minor injuries, such as bruises, sprains, and small fractures, settlements generally range between $1,000 and $20,000. This reflects your total damages, including medical expenses and lost wages.
Moderate Injuries
More moderate injuries like whiplash and deep lacerations can result in a settlement between $20,000 and $50,000. This takes into account more extensive medical costs and recovery times due to the increased severity of your injuries.
Severe Injuries
If your accident results in severe, life-changing injuries, like spinal cord trauma and brain damage, a settlement could fall anywhere between $50,000 and $300,000. This is a rough estimate, and amounts could be higher depending on the costs of medical intervention and the injury’s impact on your quality of life.
Wrongful Death
The cases with the highest settlement amounts typically involve wrongful death. Fatal car accidents can result in damages ranging from $500,000 to several million dollars, depending on various factors. Compensation in a wrongful death case takes into account the deceased’s suffering as well as the impact of their passing on the surviving family.
Factors That Affect Car Accident Settlement Value in Florida
Several key factors influence the amount of compensation an individual can receive in a car accident case. The main elements that get calculated into a final settlement include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Medical expenses: The expenses for medical treatment, such as surgeries, rehabilitation, and future care, greatly influence the settlement amount.
- Lost wages and earning capacity: Compensation for time missed from work and potential future earnings lost due to your injury.
- Pain and suffering: Non-economic damages designed to cover physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injury.
- Liability and negligence: The extent of the other driver’s responsibility for the accident and your resulting injuries.
Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims in Florida
Like all states, Florida sets a legal deadline for car accident victims to file a personal injury claim. This deadline, known as the statute of limitations, generally gives you four years from the date of the crash to take legal action. Filing within this period is essential to preserve your right to pursue compensation for damages such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and vehicle repairs.
Failing to file before the deadline can result in losing your right to sue and recover compensation. However, certain exceptions may extend or modify this timeframe. For example, if your injuries were not immediately apparent after the accident, the four-year window may begin on the date your injury was discovered rather than the date of the crash.
If the collision involves a government agency or municipality, such as a crash caused by a government vehicle or poorly maintained public roadway, special rules apply. Under Florida law, you must first provide written notice of your claim to the appropriate agency and the Department of Financial Services within three years of the accident. After this notice, there is typically a 180-day waiting period before you can file a lawsuit in court.
Meirowitz & Wasserberg Recent Car Accident Settlements
Our seasoned legal team has represented thousands of victims in cases across the state of Florida. Review some of our recent successes below:
- $1,175,000 – Our client was in a three-car collision that resulted in a ruptured aorta and spinal paralysis.
- $600,000 – We secured a favorable jury verdict in Nassau County Supreme Court for our client, who suffered a neck injury and post-concussion syndrome as a result of a motor vehicle accident. The offer before jury selection was $25,000.
- $305,000 – Our client’s vehicle was struck by a rented passenger vehicle driver who ran a stop sign in Erie County, resulting in a herniated disk, spinal stenosis, neck and back pain, and inability to walk.
- $300,000 – Our client was in a rear-end accident that resulted in shoulder surgery. They were in a small SUV and were hit by a commercial vehicle on the LIE in Queens.
- $250,000 – Our client was hit by a car while riding a pedal bike in the bike lane, resulting in loss of consciousness and cervical and lumbar spine herniations.
What Clients Say About Us
We take pride in our dedicated and hardworking legal advocates. But do not just take our word for it—review the experiences of past clients below.
Meirowitz and Wasserberg were life savers. When my accident happened the last thing I wanted to do was talk to Lawyers. They made it easy and direct, their professionalism was greatly appropriated and they made sure I knew exactly what was happening the entire time. I know I will be recommending them to all of my friends going forward.
I highly recommend Meirowitz and Wasserberg for anyone seeking a knowledgeable truck accident attorney in the Bronx. They are compassionate and skilled.
Meirowitz and Wasserberg's team of lawyers provided invaluable assistance following my car accident in Morris Park. Their expertise and dedication made a significant impact on my case, handling every aspect with ease and ensuring a straightforward process. I am incredibly grateful for discovering their firm and the support they provided throughout this challenging time.
Consult a Car Accident Lawyer in Florida
Being involved in a car accident is stressful, and dealing with insurance companies and legal paperwork afterward can be just as daunting. Our professional attorneys at Meirowitz & Wasserberg are committed to the success of every case they handle. When you choose to partner with us, you get a team of advocates who go the extra mile.
Speak to Sam Meirowitz
Sam Meirowitz and our team are available 24/7 to take your case. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about who we are and how we can help with a claim.
About The Author
Samuel Meirowitz
Founding Partner
Samuel Meirowitz, a founding partner of Meirowitz & Wasserberg, has been recognized by New York Metro Super Lawyers annually since 2016. A Cardozo School of Law graduate and former prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney's Office, he won the first multimillion-dollar asbestos verdict in a New York federal court in over 20 years.
