How Long Does It Take to Settle a Personal Injury Claim?
Over three million Americans are injured in car accidents on U.S. roads. Two million of these are permanent injuries that alter the quality of life of the victims. Most people consulting Southern California personal injury attorneys often inquire how long it would take to settle their personal injury cases.
Some wrongfully believe that hiring a car accident attorney will prolong their cases. Before you accept the quick settlement offer from the insurance company, you may need to consider the long-term impacts of the decision. Is it settling a personal injury claim quickly or shorting you from fair compensation?
Unfortunately, it is close to impossible to know exactly how long it will take to settle your claim. Every personal injury case is unique in regards to the specific facts relating to the accident. The client’s health outcome after getting hurt in an accident may also be different. Settlement may take anywhere from two weeks to several years.
Understanding the Timeline of A Personal Injury Lawsuit
A whole 96% of personal injury claims are settled before the case gets before a judge or jury. Settlement negotiations begin early and remain ‘open’ until the case is closed.
Pre-litigation: Your Southern California personal injury attorneys investigate your claims, gathering evidence before starting negotiations with the insurance company.
Litigation: Your personal injury attorney files a complaint in court after the insurance company denies your claim. You will participate in discovery, attend hearings while continuing with your settlement negotiations.
Trials and Appeals: The auto injury attorney presents evidence in court to support your claims. The personal injury law firm may also bring in expert witnesses and accident reconstruction professionals to testify for your case.
To avoid expensive lawsuits, the parties may participate in alternative dispute resolution processes such as mediation which can also be time-consuming.
Factors that Can Affect The Length of The Process
When victims handle the cases without Southern California personal injury attorneys, they often settle before their treatment is complete. Consequently, they may not receive the compensation that they could be entitled to. Here are some factors that could affect the time taken to settle your case.
1. the Extent of Injuries Sustained
Your first step after an accident should get the medical care you require. Once you recover, your physician and personal injury attorney may have a better idea of how the injuries sustain may impact your life. Serious injuries may take a while to recuperate from. It can be risky to settle before you achieve maximum medical improvement.
2. Legal or Factual Problems
Insurance companies analyze the facts of any case before deciding the compensation to give. If the insurance deems the facts of the case as weak, they may offer a tiny settlement or deny the claim altogether. Investigations by Southern California personal injury attorneys to build your case can take time. Your lawyers may have to obtain your medical bills, treatment notes, police reports, witness interviews, accident reconstruction reports, employment information, maximum recovery parameters among others.
Time to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
It may be impossible to accurately predict how long it will take to settle your claim. Hiring Southern California personal injury attorneys can increase your odds of receiving fair compensation for your injuries, no matter the time it takes. To schedule an appointment with a car accident lawyer, reach out to The Law Offices of Steven Zwick.