What is the Average Time to Settle a Personal Injury Case? When we meet with new clients who have been in car accidents, they often ask us how much their case is worth and how long it will take to receive a settlement. Most of the clients who come to us at Stanley Law Offices have been severely injured are dealing with mounting medical bills and have to take time off work to recover. Financial and physical stress takes a toll. Understandably, they want to settle their case as quickly as possible to begin paying their bills.
Every Case is Different
Unfortunately, it is impossible to know precisely how long it will take to settle a car accident claim. Every car accident is different, every insurance adjuster is different, and every client’s injuries are unique. Car accident settlements can take as little as two weeks to up to a few years to settle, depending on the case’s complexity and the people involved. The insurance company may be willing to offer you a decent settlement. Or, they may want to fight against you receiving a fair settlement, in which case you may need to take your case to court. Whenever a case goes to trial, it will take longer to be resolved.
Facts That Affect How Long it Will Take to Settle Your Case
Even though every case is different, some common factors will determine how long your case will take to settle. In most cases, the most significant factor is how severely you have been injured. If you need a significant amount of surgeries, medical treatment, and physical therapy to heal, your case may take longer to settle. On the other hand, if you only suffered mild to moderate injuries and you can recover within a month, your case may settle within a few months. Insurance companies do not want to pay out large settlements, even when they have an ethical responsibility to do so. The higher your case’s value, the more resources they will put toward fighting a settlement agreement that is favorable to you.
Factual Issues With Your Case
You may experience difficulties related to proving liability in your case. In some car accident cases, it is clear-cut which driver is at fault. In other cases, you will need to undergo a serious investigation to find evidence that the other driver is legally responsible for your damages. At Stanley Law Offices, we have the resources to dig into the background of your case and gather the following types of evidence:
- Traffic accident reports
- Witness interviews
- Diagnostic Imaging results
- Medical bills
- Treatment notes
- Traffic accident reports
- Witness interviews
- Photographs of the scene of the car accident
- Photographs of your injuries
- Lost wage information
- Maximum recovery parameters
When necessary, we will work with an accident reconstruction specialist to prove that the other driver’s negligence caused the car accident that resulted in your injuries. Our attorneys do all of the heavy liftings for our clients to get to the bottom of the facts of their car accident case, making it easier for them to focus on their recovery. We also work as quickly as possible to speed up the time it takes for a client to receive compensation.
Do Not Settle Before You Know Your Medical Prognosis
The most important part of a personal injury claim is the medical treatment required. Ensuring that you receive all of the medical treatment you need for your serious injuries is crucial for getting your life back to normal. It is also important that you follow your doctor’s orders so you can prove that the car accident caused your injuries. Unfortunately, many severe injuries require a long recovery time. If you settle too soon, you may not attain all of the money you deserve.
For example, suppose you end up needing two more significant surgeries after you settle with the insurance company. In that case, you would not be able to pursue damages to cover the cost of those expensive surgeries after the fact. Make sure that you fully treat your injuries before you settle. Sometimes your health takes a dramatic turn for the worst, so if you accept the first settlement offer, you may not receive all the compensation to which you are entitled.
Third-Party Claims and Expensive Medical Bills
Some of our cases take longer to settle because there are expensive medical bills involved or third-party claims. A third-party claim is a lawsuit against someone other than the defendant. For example, if a commercial driver was texting and driving when they caused your accident, you may be able to bring a claim against their insurance company. When there are multiple defendants involved, the lawsuit becomes more complex and can take longer to settle.
Additionally, when there is a significant amount of money at stake, insurance companies may delay the claim as much as possible. Insurance companies typically offer a settlement amount that is far too low, hoping that the victim will be desperate enough to take it immediately. When you work with an experienced car accident lawyer, your lawyer can guide you through the process and make sure you are not unfairly taken advantage of by the defendant or the insurance company.
Contact an Car Accident Lawyer in Upstate New York Today
If you or your loved one has been severely injured in a New York car accident, you are probably wondering when you will be able to recover compensation. One of the best things you can do to help your claim for compensation is to hire an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. At Stanley Law Offices, our experienced lawyers have a proven track record of success. We have obtained millions of dollars in compensation for our car accident clients.
You have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit against the defendant or insurance company. Throughout the process, we will represent you and make sure the insurance company does not drag your settlement agreement out. We will advocate for you to obtain the full amount of compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.
