Car Accident Case
With the United States experiencing more than 35,000 vehicle wrecks per year, you need to always have a fundamental understanding of car accident lawsuits.
When an accident case falls on your doorstep, you’ll need to understand how long it takes to resolve the situation.
These tips explain how long it’ll take to get a settlement for your car accident case, what affects this timetable, and other helpful information.
Car Accident Case Timeline
Consider typical cases when trying to factor in the timeline of your case. In general, your case will typically take around a couple of months but could take more than a year.
A settlement is the most likely way that your case will be resolved and is also the quickest. Litigation is much lengthier and often more expensive than an out-of-court settlement.
Knowing the typical timeline lets you know when your settlement is on track and when it’s taking longer than it should.
Consider the Nature of Your Car Accident Case
Each personal injury claim is different, and these differences can dictate how long it takes to reach your settlement. Several circumstances can make your settlement take longer. These include:
Extensive and Multiple Damages
When your personal injury damages are extensive, expensive, or various, the case will generally take longer. With a bigger payout on the line, attorneys need time to hash out every detail to make sure you’re fairly compensated.
They might also be awaiting further medical diagnosis to understand the long-term effects and recovery of the injuries. Injuries that require long-term care might require:
- Chiropractic adjustments and treatments
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Multiple medical procedures to heal from
- An expensive automobile replacement or repair
- Pain and suffering and mental anguish
Your lawyer will document all of these damages so you can recover each and every one.
An Uncooperative Settlement or Denial of Liability
Settlements are commonplace for civil cases because they’re typically best for both sides. Both plaintiff and defendant want quick resolutions when it’s clear that the defendant is at fault.
If the defendant denies fault, the case is more likely to go to court and take more time to resolve. Trial hearings are quite frequently continued, which ultimately makes your resolution take longer.
Even in an out-of-court accident settlement, the other party might deny the amount that they owe, or insurance adjusters could lowball or set up other roadblocks.
Multiple Drivers and Other Legal Complexities
Your legal settlement will also take much longer when there are complexities. Having multiple drivers or other parties involved is one of the biggest variables that a car accident case will take longer to settle.
Some other legal complexities might include things like whether to file suit against the insurance company or the driver personally, considering shared liability, and dealing with a case in which the driver works for a government municipality or a company.
These complexities must be ironed out to establish fault and to get a clear picture of how much the case is worth.
Hire the Best Car Accident Lawyer
When you want your settlement to happen quicker, hire the help of an attorney that can address all of the details. Legal professionals will quickly unpack the variables of your case and push for a fair settlement.
Since personal injury lawyers have specialties in different areas, you can count on precise legal help that suits your circumstances. Some of the different areas of car accident law include the following:
- Rideshare accident cases
- Accidents in commercial vehicles that also involve worker’s compensation
- Semi-truck accident litigation
- Motorcycle accident cases
- Long-term disability and wrongful death accident cases
Choosing the right lawyer makes sure that your case stays on a strict timetable with the best likely outcomes.
Work with a lawyer that is also a skilled communicator. They’ll regularly reach out to the other party to bring settlements to a close and will have the tough conversations so that you don’t have to.
Keep an Eye on Your Statute of Limitations
Every state has a different statute of limitations for car accidents and other personal injury claims. Using these limits as a rule of thumb will help keep your case on track and prevent any delays.
Car accidents in California have a 2-year statute of limitations that you’ll need to follow for your claim to remain valid. Working with a professional makes it less likely that you lose track of this timetable.
Address Your Medical Needs
A car accident lawyer will stress to you the importance of taking care of all your medical needs. Handling the care of your medical needs while awaiting a personal injury case shows consistency and that your injuries are serious and legitimate.
Your medical care and diagnoses will steer the direction of your case. When the medical evidence is cut and dry, your injuries are easier to prove, and the settlement should take as long to resolve.
In some cases, defendants and insurance companies will even hire private investigators to track you to catch you fabricating your injuries. Staying consistent with your medical care backs your claim and will thwart any attempts to hurt your credibility.
Manage Your Car Accident Case
The tips above will help you with any car accident case that you have. Your expectations can remain high when you link up with professionals that can steer it in the right direction.
Let the Greenleaf Law Group help you with any of your personal injury needs. To learn more about how we can help you, request a free estimate online or give us a call at (562)550-7676.
