Auto accidents can have an extremely large impact on life and often leads to distress, as well as physical injuries, and financial burdens. Unfortunately, car accidents are quite common in U.S. states, and the state of Florida is no exception. In fact, Florida consistently ranks as one of the worst states for car crashes. Between January of 2024 and December of 2024, over 380,000 car crashes occurred, with over 3,000 of those crashes involving fatalities.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you may be wondering if most auto accident claims are settled out of court and what your options are when filing a claim. Undeniably, most claims are resolved through settlements, and we’ll dive into car accident claims a bit further, including the benefits of filing a claim and tips for reaching accident settlements, to help you navigate the process more effectively.
What Are Car Accident Claims?
Car accident claims are formal requests for compensation due to an auto accident. Compensation that’s recovered from these claims commonly include medical expenses, auto repairs or replacement, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Car accident claims can be filed against at-fault drivers, insurance companies, or even rideshare companies, such as Uber or Lyft. Claims may also evolve into personal injury lawsuits that involve complex negotiation.
How Common Are Settlements?
The majority of auto crash claims result in settlements for victims instead of going to trial in court. Settlements are agreements that are reached between the parties and are the most common outcome of traffic accident lawsuit claims.
The goal of settlement is the avoidance of a long and expensive trial. For the most part, insurance companies want to avoid spending money on litigation. Settlements are a more controlled way for them to handle claims and allow for negotiation between parties. Though settlements are common, they can also be difficult to obtain. Having an experienced car accident lawyer handle your claim can make all the difference in receiving the compensation that you deserve, or not.
Benefits of Settling a Car Accident Claim
There are many benefits of settling an auto accident claim, including:
- Resolution is quicker. Motor vehicle accident lawsuit trials can take months or even years to resolve. Settlements are typically much quicker (and less expensive) and may be completed in mere weeks.
- Settlements are private. Generally, settlements include a confidentiality clause that keeps all aspects private.
- Stress is greatly lessened during settlements. For many victims of car crashes, court cases can be incredibly stressful. Settling typically eliminates anxiety-inducing arguments and the need for providing testimony before a judge and jury.
- Results are predictable. Unlike court cases, settlements with negotiation allows you to have more control over the outcome.
- Compensation is guaranteed. Unlike trials, which carry the uncertainty of winning a case, settlements ensure a guaranteed payout for victims of car accidents.
When Car Accident Claims Go to Court
While most auto accident claims are settled out of court, there are also auto accident lawsuits that do wind up in court. A trial may be necessary in an instance such as yours, when there are disputes over who is at fault for the accident, or when the insurance company denies the claim or offers an unfair settlement that doesn’t altogether cover damages.
When an auto accident case does go to trial, an attorney can assist with the court process in order to recover damages. Experienced attorneys will provide evidence of the defendant’s liability, as well as furnish witnesses to support your case and verify that you deserve compensation.
Tips for Reaching a Settlement
You can commonly simplify the settlement process, and receive the compensation that you deserve by following the following tips:
- Gather documents and evidence — Be sure to get statements from witnesses, gather photos and police reports, and collect medical records that are associated with the accident.
- Get a consultation from a medical malpractice lawyer —An experienced auto accident lawyer can explain all of your legal rights and negotiate on your behalf.
- Calculate the value of your claim — It is recommended to have an idea what a fair settlement will be by considering all aspects of the accident, from medical costs and lost wages to pain and suffering.
- Don’t settle for a quick payout — Insurance companies may hastily present an offer in order to lessen their outgoing payment, so be sure to negotiate well.
Being involved in an auto crash and navigating the legal processes can often be confusing. Lipinski Law understands all of the complexities involved, and our team genuinely cares about getting fair compensation for you. Contact us for a free consultation and we’ll go to work fighting for your rights to achieve the closure that you deserve.
