When will my car accident case settle?
A car accident case can settle almost immediately after the plaintiff files the complaint, or it can settle after a trial finishes. Often, a case will settle after one side learns or reveals important information that could potentially decide the case.
How long does it take to settle a personal injury claim?
After a settlement demand is sent with the relevant medical bills and records and other information necessary to resolve the claim, it takes the insurance company time to evaluate the claim. Most injury claims should not take more than three weeks.
How long does a car accident trial take to complete?
A car accident trial usually only takes a day or two to complete. Step 6: How Long Will an Appeal Take to Complete? If one of the parties isn't happy with the result of the trial, an appeal is possible. There are several levels of appeals—even just one level of appeal could take six months to a year to resolve.
Can I file a lawsuit after a car accident?
Most car accident cases settle through the car insurance claim process, without a lawsuit ever being filed in court. However, if there is a dispute as to who was at fault for the crash, or the scope and extent of an injured person's damages, a car accident lawsuit becomes a distinct possibility.
How long does it take to settle a car accident case?
From start to finish, a car accident lawsuit will probably take at least one year to complete, assuming it goes to trial and there is no appeal. But just because a car accident lawsuit has begun, it doesn't mean it will go to completion. In fact, that's very unlikely. At some point in the process, the case will usually settle before trial.
How long does it take to get a car accident trial?
Step 5: The trial occurs. A car accident trial usually only takes a day or two to complete. Step 6: Potential appeal. If one of the parties isn't happy with the result of the trial, an appeal is possible.
How long does it take for a lawsuit to settle?
This means most cases settle within a few months to a few years after the lawsuit commences .
What do you want to do after a car accident?
All you want to do is heal, get your car back on the road, and get on with your life feeling whole again. Especially when filing a personal injury lawsuit is the only way to achieve this goal, you may wonder how long it will take to resolve the matter.
What would happen if all car accidents were about money?
If all car accidents cases were only about the money, it would be easier to predict how long they might take to complete. But some cases aren't about the money. Plaintiffs may be fighting based on principle, and the lawsuit may represent an opportunity to get justice.
Can a defendant drag out a case?
Defendants may recognize they have a losing case, but want to make things as difficult as possible for the plaintiff, and therefore drag out the case as long as possible. It's a practical reality that when things get personal, the litigation process can take much longer than necessary.
Do car accidents settle?
Most car accident cases settle, and do not result in litigation (the civil lawsuit process). However, if there is a dispute as to who was at fault for the crash, or the scope and extent of an injured person's damages, a car accident lawsuit becomes a distinct possibility.
How long does it take for an insurance company to respond to a claim?
Most injury claims should not take more than three weeks. But it often does.
What happens when an attorney files a lawsuit?
When our attorneys file a lawsuit, it often results in a later offer that is many times more than the pre-suit settlement offer. The muscle of a lawsuit puts fear into insurance companies. This muscle often gets them to pay far more settlement money than they would have considered before suit was filed.
What does "treatment finished" mean?
Treatment Is Finished or at Maximum Medical Improvement. First, the client has to either (1) fully recover and need no further treatment, or (2) reach maximum medical improvement. This means that while the client may need additional treatment, this is as good of a recovery as the client is likely to get.
Can an accident lawyer do medical records?
So it may be there is nothing your accident lawyer can do because the attorneys is waiting on medical records or waiting for the insurance company to respond. But there is no question that the delay is often the result of a plaintiff's lawyer who is not staying on top of the case.
Do car accident lawyers collect medical bills?
If a case is going to be settled fast without a lawsuit for top value, a car accident lawyer will need to obtain all of the medical records and bills for the client. At our law firm and many personal injury firms, it is the lawyer’s job to collect the medical bills and records. Medical records are essential.
Do insurance companies have to respond to a bodily injury letter?
In most states, there is no rule requiring the insurance company to respond at all.
Can an accident lawyer ask a doctor to give an estimate of the cost of surgery?
Alternatively, if future surgery or other medical procedures have not yet been performed, an accident lawyer can ask a doctor to give an estimate of what the costs of the future surgery/procedure will cost. This is often the biggest reason there is a delay in settling a serious injury claim.
Car Accident Claim Timeline
- Right After The Accident: Medical Treatment & Documentation
Immediately following an accident, there are two important things to do: seek medical care and document the scene. The first, seeking medical treatment, is the most important of all, since you need to take care of your health above all else. From a legal perspective, seeking medical treatm… - Don’t Admit Fault, Apologize, or Say You Aren’t Hurt
After your accident, there are a few things you should avoid saying if you want to protect your rights (and help your injury claim move forward more smoothly and quickly). Don’t admit fault after your accident, even if you think you were at fault. It’s possible that you’re wrong or that anot…
Other Factors That Affect Car Accident Settlement timelines
- Severity of Injury
The severity of a victim’s injuries can impact how long it takes to settle their case. Typically, accidents involving more severe injuriesinvolve larger damages. Getting an insurance company to agree that a large settlement is fair and appropriate can take diligence, research, patience, and p… - The Complexity of Liability
So many things can complicate liability in a car accident case, which will in turn affect how long it takes to settle the case. The number of involved parties affects the complexity of liability, since you need to determine how at fault (or not at fault) more parties are. The types of parties involve…
Hire A Car Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles, California
- If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident due to the negligent, reckless, or malicious actions of another party, contact LA Lawyers Grouptoday to receive a free case evaluation. Our experienced personal injury attorneys are dedicated to fighting for the rights of car accident victims across Southern California. Our team understands the diligence and attention to detail th…