Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers | October 22, 2025 | Car Accidents
After a car accident, most people just want one thing: to move on. But when you’re facing medical bills, car repairs, and insurance adjusters, that can be easier said than done. One of the most common questions accident victims have is, “How long will it take to get my settlement?”
The truth is, there’s no single timeline that fits every case. Some Florida car accident claims settle within a few weeks, while others can take months (or even years). The timeframe often depends on the complexity of injuries, the cooperation of the insurer, and the legal steps involved.
Understanding this process can help you manage expectations and protect your rights while your case unfolds.
The Florida Car Accident Settlement Process
In Florida, every car accident case is unique. However, most follow a predictable series of steps. Here’s a look at how the process typically works from start to finish.
Medical Treatment and Recovery
Your health comes first. After an accident, it’s essential to get medical treatment as soon as possible. This helps to ensure your injuries are properly documented. Florida’s no-fault insurance system requires that you seek treatment within 14 days to qualify for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits under your own policy.
Before any meaningful settlement negotiations can occur, your doctors must determine the full extent of your injuries. This process, known as reaching maximum medical improvement, can take weeks or months, depending on the injuries.
Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Once you’ve started treatment, your attorney will begin investigating the accident. This includes collecting police reports, photographs, witness statements, medical records, and insurance information. When liability is disputed, your lawyer may hire experts to help establish fault.
A strong foundation of evidence ensures your settlement reflects the full value of your losses. This should include both your economic and non-economic damages.
Calculating the Value of Your Claim
Your attorney will help to calculate your total damages.
Typically, this should include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Long-term disability or disfigurement
Your lawyer will work tirelessly to establish fault, identify all your losses, and recover full and appropriate compensation from the at-fault party.
Negotiation With the Insurer
The next step in the process involves your attorney sending a demand letter to the insurance company. This package will include evidence of liability, medical bills, proof of lost wages, and a detailed description of how the accident affected your life.
Negotiations can last weeks or months, depending on how far apart both sides are in valuing the claim. It is important to remain patient. Rushing to settle before understanding the scope of your injuries can result in a lower payout.
Factors That Can Delay a Car Accident Settlement
Even straightforward cases can hit unexpected delays.
Here are some of the most common reasons a Florida car accident settlement may take longer than expected:
- Serious or complex injuries: If your medical recovery takes months or your prognosis is uncertain, your attorney may wait until your condition stabilizes to avoid underestimating your damages.
- Disputed liability: If fault for the crash is unclear, multiple drivers are involved, or there’s limited evidence, determining who’s responsible can extend the process.
- Insurance company tactics: Insurers sometimes delay responses, request unnecessary documents, or deny claims outright to pressure victims into accepting less.
- High-value claims: The larger the damages, the longer insurers tend to scrutinize the claim. They may require additional reviews, statements, or medical evaluations.
- Court backlogs or litigation: If settlement negotiations fail, your attorney may file a lawsuit. While many cases still settle before trial, litigation adds time for discovery, depositions, and court scheduling.
While these factors can slow things down, each step is critical to ensuring your settlement fully compensates you for all you’ve lost.
Contact the Jacksonville Car Accident Lawyers at Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Simple car accident cases in Florida may resolve within weeks or months. More serious or disputed claims can take a year or longer. The best way to speed up the process, while still protecting your interests, is to hire a skilled personal injury lawyer.
If you’ve been injured in a Florida car accident, don’t let insurance companies dictate the pace or value of your claim. Let Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers stand up for you.
For more information, please contact the Jacksonville personal injury law firm of Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers and schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Duval County and its surrounding areas.
Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers
136 E Bay St #5438
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 356-6071
Find us with our Geo Coordinates: 30.32569719086265, -81.65515220132858
_________________________________________________________________________________________
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Attorney Howard Coker is the founder of Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers. A graduate of the University of Florida College of Law, he has dedicated his career to representing individuals in serious personal injury cases. With more than four decades of courtroom experience and over 350 jury trials, Howard is recognized as one of Florida’s top trial attorneys. His commitment to justice ensure every client receives the strong, personalized representation they deserve. Check our recent case results.
Location: Jacksonville, FL