What is the average settlement for whiplash in Florida

Every personal injury settlement is different, which makes arriving at an “average” figure difficult. Many factors affect the overall value of each unique whiplash claim, such as the severity of your injuries, insurance policy limits, and liability for the accident. If you’re curious about how much yours might be worth, get in touch with an experienced Florida personal injury lawyer at Zervos & Calta, PLLC today. We offer free consultations, so there’s no risk in learning more about your options.

What Is Whiplash?

Whiplash can be a serious neck injury that damages the neck and upper back muscles, tendons, discs, and nerves. In car accidents, whiplash occurs when a person’s head is rapidly propelled forward and backward by the force of a collision. Seatbelts undoubtedly save lives by preventing occupants from being thrown into and through the windshield or seatbacks in front of them. But by keeping the torso still while allowing the head to move more freely, seatbelts can also contribute to whiplash injuries.

While many assume that whiplash is a minor injury, severe or untreated cases can lead to chronic pain and other medical complications.

What Factors Can Determine the Amount of a Whiplash Settlement?

How much a given whiplash claim might be worth depends on the circumstances in play. Several factors can affect the amount of a whiplash settlement, including:

• The severity of the injury
• The limits of insurance policies
• The cost of medical expenses
• The cause of the accident
• The degree to which others are liable

The effectiveness and tenacity of your legal representation can also impact how much money you may be able to recover for whiplash in Florida. Before you accept anything from an insurance company, discuss your case with a knowledgeable whiplash accident attorney.

How Do I Prove I Have a Whiplash Claim?

Proving your whiplash claim takes compelling evidence. One of the most vital pieces of evidence supporting your case is medical documentation of your injuries. People often write off the symptoms of whiplash, assuming it’s just a bit of soreness that does not require medical care. But avoiding treatment is a mistake. The long-term consequences of whiplash can be hard to appreciate in the moment. Without prompt treatment, you could risk aggravating the injury. Putting off treatment can also signal to an insurance adjuster that your injuries are not serious and you don’t need compensation for medical expenses. Lack of medical evidence to support your claim can lead to processing delays and the potential denial of your claim.

Other evidence may be necessary to strengthen your claim, such as:

• Police reports
• Witness statements
• Photographs and videos of the scene
• Video surveillance or dashcam footage

Your attorney can investigate the cause of the crash and collect vital evidence before it can be lost or destroyed. Working with an experienced attorney frees you up to focus on your recovery without fear that you are missing crucial components of building a solid whiplash claim.

How Long Will It Take for My Whiplash Claim to Settle?

When you are in pain, unable to work, and facing severe stress over medical bills and your financial stability, it is natural to be anxious about how long it might take to settle your claim and get the money you deserve. Insurance companies are counting on this. They hope that you’ll be so eager to settle and move on with your life that you’ll accept their first offer. This is a mistake. Sometimes, waiting a little longer can pay big when it comes to the final value of a claim.

With that said, the amount of time it takes for your whiplash claim to settle will depend on several factors. Straightforward accident claims can take weeks to months to settle. However, complicated cases involving multiple claimants or severe injuries can take months or years to resolve. An attorney can give you a more accurate estimate based on the specific factors of your situation.

Should I Accept an Early Settlement Offer?

It is likely not in your best interest to accept an early settlement offer. These are typically lowball offers designed to exploit vulnerable car accident victims desperate to settle and find some financial stability. However, a quick settlement is unlikely to cover the full extent of your losses, especially if you have significant injuries that may require future medical care. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. It is always in their best interest to settle quickly and for as little money as possible.

Never accept an early initial settlement offer without consulting an experienced Florida car accident attorney first. An attorney can calculate your claim’s full and fair value and negotiate on your behalf for maximum compensation for your injuries.

How Long Do I Have to File a Whiplash Injury Case in Florida?

The Florida statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits gives car accident victims two years from the crash date to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for their whiplash injuries. If you don’t file your case within two years, it could face dismissal by the court. Waiting too long can leave you with few options for recovering maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering.

Contact a Florida Whiplash Injury Lawyer

Is the pain from a whiplash injury keeping you on the sidelines of life? Then it’s time to discuss your situation with a knowledgeable Florida car accident lawyer at Zervos & Calta, PLLC. With more than 50 years of combined legal experience, our team has the skills and resources to navigate the most complicated Florida car accident cases. You deserve compassion and maximum compensation, and we aim to provide them.

Let us help you fight for what’s right. Contact us today for a free case review to learn how we can help you recover from a whiplash injury.

Visit Our Florida Whiplash Injury Law Offices

About the Author

Angela Zervos
Angela has spent more than 20 years of her legal career fighting for personal injury victims – and against big insurance companies. As a true trial lawyer, she takes on a wide variety of personal injury claims, including those involving motor vehicle accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, medical malpractice, traumatic brain injuries, and wrongful death. Prior to starting her own law practice, Angela secured more than $80 million in settlements and jury verdicts for her clients – a 90 percent success rate since 2002. Her efforts on behalf of her clients have resulted in numerous accolades. For example, Angela maintains a “Superb” 10.0 rating from AVVO, an “AV Preeminent” rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and she is ranked among the Top 100 civil trial lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association. Zervos & Calta, PLLC serves the entire Tampa Bay area – including Pinellas County, Pasco County, Hernando County, and Hillsborough County – from offices in Tarpon Springs, Spring Hill, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg.