How Long Does It Take State Farm to Settle Claims in Boca Raton?
Gregg Hollander | March 19, 2024 | Car Accidents
Florida is a no-fault insurance state. However, that does not mean you won’t file an insurance claim after a car accident. Drivers are required to have minimum PIP insurance coverage, so you will likely file a claim with your insurance provider. You could also have a liability insurance claim against the at-fault driver if you sustained serious injuries.
State Farm is a major provider of car insurance in Florida. It is one of the largest insurance companies in the country. Therefore, you may have to deal with a State Farm Claims Office if you are involved in a car accident in Boca Raton, FL.
How long it takes to settle a State Farm claim in Boca Raton depends on the type of claim and the facts of the case. The timeline to settle accident claims could take a few weeks or a few months. If you file a personal injury lawsuit, your State Farm claim could take more than a year to settle.
Factors That Impact State Farm Claims Process in Boca Raton, FL
Many factors impact how long it takes to settle State Farm claims for Boca Raton car accidents.
Examples of factors that impact the timeline for your car accident claim include:
- The severity and type of injuries you sustained in the car crash
- The required medical treatments to care for your injuries
- The duration of your recovery to reach maximum medical improvement
- The parties involved in your case, including whether multiple parties could be liable for your damages
- Whether you could be partly to blame for causing the accident, raising allegations of contributory fault
- The type of insurance claim being filed
- Disputes regarding how the car accident occurred
- Whether you sustained permanent impairments that could result in future damages
- The evidence you have proving fault and liability
Most of these parties are not within your control. However, hiring a Boca Raton car accident lawyer to handle a State Farm claim could speed up the process because the attorney monitors State Farm closely at all phases of the claim and holds them accountable if they try to delay a car accident settlement.
Signs That an Insurance Company Is Intentionally Delaying a Car Accident Claim in Boca Raton, FL
State Farm and other insurance companies may intentionally delay settling your claim as a negotiating tactic. The insurance company thoroughly investigates your claim, which takes time. State Farm searches for ways to avoid liability for your economic and non-economic damages.
In some cases, an insurance company’s tactics can cross the line. If so, they could be liable for bad faith practices.
Examples of insurance company bad faith regarding car accident claims include, but are not limited to:
- Failing to acknowledge your claim when you file it
- Refusing to investigate a claim to determine the insured’s liability for damages
- Misrepresenting the law or the terms of the insurance contract
- Failing to inform you of damages after inspecting your vehicle
- Causing unnecessary delays, including requesting needless information and burdensome documentation
- Using false allegations of failing to mitigate damages or comparative fault to lower the value of a car accident claim
- Advising you not to seek legal advice or that hiring an attorney is too costly
- Failing to make a timely, fair settlement offer for damages
- Pressuring or threatening you so that you will accept an unfair settlement offer
When an insurance company acts in bad faith, you might have a separate claim against the insurance company for damages caused by its wrongdoing. If an insured is sued and sustains damages because their insurance company acted in bad faith, they may have a bad faith claim against the insurance company.
Is There a Way to Speed Up the Settlement of a State Farm Claim in Boca Raton, FL?
Unfortunately, some car accident claims take longer to process and settle than other claims. The facts and circumstances of your case have a significant impact on the timeline for settlement.
However, there are things you can do to avoid delays on your part, including:
- File a claim with State Farm as soon as possible following a car accident
- Provide the required information to process the claim
- Cooperate in scheduling vehicle inspections
- Respond to requests promptly
- Do not fabricate or exaggerate your injuries
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan
- Track your damages by recording all expenses and financial losses, including keeping copies of records proving the amounts
- Take photographs of your injuries and keep a journal detailing the struggles and challenges during your recovery
- Ask the insurance adjuster if there is anything you need to do to process the claim
Working directly with an insurance company has its risks. Statements you make could hurt your case. The insurance adjuster is not obligated to tell you if you ask for a settlement amount that is lower than the value of your damages.
A Boca Raton Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help With Your State Farm Claim
Before discussing your claim with a State Farm insurance adjuster, call a Boca Raton car accident attorney for a free consultation. Learn about your legal rights and options to protect your best interests.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, please contact our experienced personal injury lawyers in Florida at Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today. We have three convenient locations in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.
We proudly serve Palm Beach County, Broward County, and its surrounding areas:
Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers – Boca Raton Law Office
7000 W Palmetto Park Rd #500
Boca Raton, FL 33433
(561) 347-7770
Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers – Fort Lauderdale Law Office
200 S.E. 6th Street #203
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 287-0566
Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers – West Palm Beach Law Office
319 Clematis St #203
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 556-7873