While everyone reads in the news about big money awards from a jury, a good settlement is far better most of the time.** The amount of insurance that the other driver has is a big piece of information that can determine how much money may be offered to you.

After reading this section, you may want to check out the money award checklist for a general idea of how strong your case is.

Having a reputable and experienced car accident injury lawyer can help with insurance company negotiations.

There are some basic categories of damage and injury in a Florida car accident case that may entitle you to money compensation. These include:

Loss of income*
Medical Bills*
Pain and Suffering*
Wrongful Death - A estate will need to be opened for the deceased and this type of case has its own unique laws about which family members are eligible for certain types of money compensation.

Each Car Accident Personal Injury case is different, and over the last 30 years I have extensive experience with thousands of cases of herniated disk of the back or neck. Often the money value of a back or neck injury turns upon facts such as what the MRI scan shows, or whether you have or will have a surgery.

As a Florida lawyer practicing exclusively in personal injury, I keep track of the different major car insurance companies, and what they are likely to offer. The exact same car accident case can produce entirely different money offers from an insurance company, because each company has different practices and ways of doling out money offers.

Some insurance companies say "this is our offer, if you don't like it, then we will see you in court." My Board Certification in Civil Trial means that I am expert in presenting personal injury cases to a jury.

* Not every injury entitles someone automatically to money compensation. The accident must be caused in part by another driver, for example.

**Many lawyers will tell you "a good settlement" is one where both sides are unhappy. You hoped to get more money and the insurance company planned to pay less. It is true that 90% of all cases eventually settle. A good settlement beats a great verdict most of the time, because a settlement avoids extra costs, risks of appeal and risk of a retrial or mistrial. Winning that big jury money verdict does not mean you are sure to keep it.

After reading this section, you may want to check out the money award checklist for a general idea of how strong your case is.

Loss of income: The same exact injury can be worth different money to different people. If I lost my pinkie finger in a car accident, it would be worth less money than if I was a NBA player or a surgeon. Many of my clients in this difficult economy are out of work at the time of the car accident, but future loss of income can usually be estimated and compensation for such future loss of income can be part of the money claim.

Medical Bills: Under Florida's "No-Fault" law, your own car insurance is responsible to pay for your first medical bills, up to $10,000, and this type of insurance coverage is called "P.I.P" which is shorthand for Personal Injury Protection. If you were not in your own car, or if you did not have a car, then you can call me and ask me about what difference it would make, because I cannot go into more detail here, it would just make the entire website cluttered and it may cause confusion.

Pain & Suffering: Florida has special requirements in order to get money compensation for pain and suffering. With few exceptions, there must be a permanent injury. However, this phase of permanent injury does not mean you must have a fracture or huge injury, and an experienced Florida car accident lawyer can explain whether or not you are likely to meet that requirement.