If you’ve been hurt in an accident, it can be a scary and confusing time. Fortunately, our experienced personal injury lawyers can help you determine how much compensation you deserve and guide you through the process of getting it. One question that often comes up is how long it will take to settle your case. The answer, as you might expect, is that it depends on a number of factors, including the nature of your injuries and who was at fault for the accident.
Most injury claims are resolved in the months or years that follow an accident, but some take longer than others. Some victims, particularly those who are requesting a substantial amount of money, may face a longer settlement timeline than other victims. This is because insurance companies may be reluctant to pay out a significant sum, especially if they believe their client was at fault in the accident.
When a victim’s claim is valued, the insurance company will consider a number of factors. These include past and future medical expenses, loss of income due to the accident, property damage, and more. Adjusters and juries will also consider non-monetary losses, such as pain and suffering. However, these can be more difficult to put a dollar value on and require an effective personal injury lawyer with the skills to elicit sympathy from the jury.
Once your attorney has a good idea of the total value of your claim, they will submit a demand package to the at-fault party’s insurance provider. This will outline the details of your injury, your request for compensation, and documents and evidence to support your claim. If the insurance company is unwilling to meet your demands, a lawsuit may be filed. This can significantly delay your settlement.
As the litigation progresses, each side will have an opportunity to ask for additional information or expert testimony from the opposing side. This can add more time to your case, especially if there are multiple motions filed by both sides. For example, if the defendant’s attorney requests copies of your medical records from your doctor, it could take a while to receive these documents. This could prolong your settlement by a couple of weeks or more. When the court issues a verdict in your favor, you will be awarded compensation. This can be distributed as a lump sum or in monthly installments.
