If you have been in a car accident, you are probably wondering how long it will take to settle the case. The answer to that question depends on a variety of factors, which we will discuss in this article.
The Factors That Impact the Length of Your Car Accident Settlement Case
Many different factors can impact the length of a car accident settlement case. Some of the most common factors include:
- The severity of your injuries
- The amount of property damage
- Whether or not there is insurance coverage
- Who was at fault for the accident
- How cooperative the parties involved are
While there is an extensive list of impacting factors beyond this, lawyers tend to focus on three specific variables: the severity of the injuries, fault, and whether or not the insurance company is going to try to delay the case.
How Severity of Injuries Impacts Length of Settlement?
If you have suffered serious injuries in a car accident, your case will likely take longer to settle than if you had only sustained minor injuries. This is because the insurance company will need time to evaluate the extent of your injuries and determine how much money they should offer in order to resolve the claim.
If you have undergone surgery or require ongoing medical treatment, you will want to make sure that the compensation is sufficient to cover all these medical bills.
If you do not allow sufficient time to establish how the accident has impacted your health and what treatment you are going to require, the insurance company may end up convincing you to accept a low-ball offer that won’t cover all your expenses.
Before accepting any kind of offer from the insurance company, you may want to consider contacting a personal injury lawyer who can assess all your medical records and advise you on a suitable path forward that will guarantee the compensation you deserve.
Who Was at Fault?
If the other driver was clearly at fault for the accident, the settlement process would likely move more quickly. However, if there is some question as to who was responsible for the crash, it may take longer to reach a settlement agreement.
The insurance company will want to investigate the accident and speak with witnesses before making any offers. And unfortunately, an insurance company is most likely to dispute even the most straightforward facts so as to avoid having to pay a settlement.
That is why it is in your best interests to engage the services of a legal team to help you assess the facts and provide indisputable evidence the insurance company cannot deny.
Is the Insurance Company Going to Use Delay Tactics?
Insurance companies often use delay tactics when they know an injury claim is going to be expensive. They may try to delay the settlement process in order to wear you down emotionally and financially.
Or, they may offer a lowball settlement in the hopes that you will take it because you need the funds to cover your medical bills.
The sooner you begin working with an attorney, the sooner he or she can start gathering evidence and building your case. And if the insurance company does try to delay the process, your lawyer will be prepared to fight back – which may include filing a lawsuit.
Key Takeaways
While we have discussed a few factors that may impact the length of your car accident settlement case, it is important to remember that there is also a myriad of other factors that can either cause a delay or quicken the process.
The most important thing you can do for yourself is to seek medical attention as soon as possible and follow up with the advice of your physician. We also suggest gathering any kind of evidence such as pictures and witness statements that will help your case.
You should also contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who will work tirelessly on your behalf to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for all of your losses–now and in the future.
Comments 1
Good article.