5 Factors That Influence The Timeframe of a Florida Personal Injury Lawsuit
If someone else’s negligence left you with an injury, then filing a personal injury lawsuit to receive compensation is most likely your next step. Medical bills and time away from work can frustrate you. Due to such stress, it is only natural that you want your case to be resolved as fast as possible. You require the compensation so that you can comfortably pay your medical bills. After the injury, you have also suffered an amount of pain and suffering; therefore, it is only natural that you want to receive compensation as soon as possible.
However, before you estimate your case’s exact timeframe, it is important to note that several factors influence the time it takes to settle a personal injury case. These factors determine whether a case will take weeks, months, or years.
Below are 5 factors that influence the timeframe of a Florida personal injury lawsuit.
Factors That Influence the Timeframe of a Florida Personal Injury Lawsuit
Depending on different factors, your personal injury claim will either move quickly or slowly. Some of them are within your control, whereas others are beyond your control. Even when your case moves slowly, remember that you should never be wary about putting in the time if you want to receive fair compensation.
The following are the factors that influence the timeframe of a Florida personal injury lawsuit.
The Severity of Injuries
For a plaintiff to receive fair compensation, they must wait until they return to their pre-injury state. If you cannot wait until then, at least wait until you stabilize or heal as much as you can. The reason behind this is so you can present a complete picture of your losses. Seeking compensation before you heal or at least stabilize is not advisable since, at that point, you do not know your total medical bills or the extent of damages.
If you suffered a severe injury such as a traumatic brain injury, your case would most likely take longer than that of a person who suffered a less severe injury, such as a sprain to the ankle. Knowing the full effects of severe injuries usually takes time. Therefore, settling such claims takes longer than when dealing with less severe injuries, whose extent and impact are easily known.
Degree of Clients’ Cooperation
Personal injury attorneys cannot help you secure fair compensation unless you fully cooperate with them. Clients must always cooperate with their attorneys throughout the legal process. You might delay your case unintentionally when you change your address and fail to inform your attorney. Personal injury attorneys need to remain in constant communication with you so you can keep each other updated. For example, your attorney will reach out to you as often as they need to because they need to ask you for medical records, medical bills, and other documentation relevant to the case. When you change your address and fail to inform your attorney, you delay conveying vital material to them, and in turn, you affect the timeframe of your case.
Degree of Cooperation from the Defense Side
The defense side will, most likely, always use tactics to delay the claim process. This is especially true with cases involving large potential settlement amounts. Insurance companies are known for using tactics to delay settlements so that plaintiffs can give up or so they can accept low settlement offers. When working with a qualified attorney, they will not allow you to give in, nor will they allow you to give up. The process will take longer than if the defense side simply cooperated, but that is better than settling for nothing or unfair compensation.
The Complexity of a Case
Car accident claims and medical malpractice claims will rarely take the same time to resolve. Most car accident claims are resolved quickly because it is relatively simple to identify most at-fault drivers’ mistakes. For instance, if a drunk driver caused your injury, proving that they were drunk at the time of the accident is relatively simple if the police conducted a breathalyzer test after the accident. On the other hand, proving that a medical practitioner acted negligently takes time because of the need to consult and hire expert witnesses to provide their opinion.
Jurisdiction
If there are many cases open in your jurisdiction when you want the court to address your case, it may take longer to settle your case.
Contact a Naples Personal Injury Attorney for Help Today
To receive help with your personal injury claim, contact a Naples personal injury attorney at The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A. at 239-649-8050.
Resources:
flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2012/768.81
/can-i-sue-a-doctor-that-misdiagnosed-my-cancer/
