A car accident can happen very fast, but the process by which you obtain a settlement for the car accident may not be as fast as you hope. How long it will take depends on the nature of the accident, whether or not you or another party became injured during the accident, and several other factors.
Settling is Faster
Typically, the fastest way to handle a car accident case is to settle it out of court. This is because the courts are often backlogged and it can take awhile to have your date in court. Also, the process of preparing for a court case is more lengthy. However, this doesn't mean that you should accept any settlement. Usually, the insurance provider of the defendant will attempt to offer a settlement that is less than what you deserve.
Injuries Slow the Process Down
If you suffer an injury, it will take longer to resolve your claim. Also, the more serious the injury, the longer you are in the hospital and the longer your outpatient treatment program is, the longer it will also take to complete your car accident claim.
You will want to wait until you have recovered the most that you can possibly recover before your car accident attorney can help you calculate the damages. Your medical expenses not only include what you have paid, but what you must pay in the future.
Insurance Providers Can Slow the Process Down
You'll likely have to work with the defendant's car insurance provider. However, there are some circumstances where the car insurance provider will not cooperate and you might see a delay in your case being resolved. In some states, there is a time limit in which insurance providers can resolve a case and make a payment.
This time limit can be extended under some circumstances. If you are struggling with a slow insurance provider, make sure to contact a car accident attorney who can communicate with the insurance provider on your behalf.
Going to Trial Takes Time
Your case is most likely to go to trial when the insurance provider denies the claim and your attorney believes that you have a good case. You might also go to trial if your insurance provider fails to make a reasonable offer. There is a discovery process and the insurance provider may not make a settlement offer at that time.
Once that process is completed, the insurance provider may make a settlement offer before the court date. Otherwise, it could take several months before you may see any compensation.
Sadly, many people are injured due to someone else's negligence. Maybe you were in a car accident that was the other driver's fault, and now you're dealing with relentless back pain. Or perhaps your neighbor's dog bit you, and you're considering suing them. Both of these scenarios fall under the legal umbrella of personal injury law.
Since proving someone else is responsible for your injuries can be challenging, the world of personal injury law is a vast one. Your own attorney is your best source of information directly related to your own case, but we created this website to give you a good basic overview of what your personal injury case may entail — and what you can expect when you meet with your attorney. Dig in and start reading our articles; you'll soon feel more informed as to what's to come.