There is no average time for a car accident settlement because many factors play into how long it takes to compute and settle a claim. Every car accident is different, obviously, and the time it takes to resolve an auto accident case varies based on the details and facts of the case.
It can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months (or years) for a car accident case to settle. There is plenty to investigate on each party’s end, and if you suffered extensive injuries and property damage, this could explain why the settlement process is lengthy.
Overview of the Car Accident Settlement Process
Having a car accident lawyer on your side can help you get an idea early on of the value of your case. Once you consult with a lawyer about your case, they will be knowledgeable of the details and facts and obtain the evidence they need. Your lawyer can then prepare to speak with an insurance company and defend your rights.
Once you file your claim and the insurance company has documentation of your medical bills and damages, the insurance adjuster will offer a settlement. Your lawyer can negotiate with them for the compensation you deserve.
A person who recently suffered injuries should not have to deal with stressful phone calls with insurance adjusters, who are known to manipulate people into thinking they are responsible for an accident or share fault; thus, they do not deserve much compensation, if any. Your lawyer can fight for the financial award you are entitled to receive. They have experience fighting insurance companies that they can put to work for you.
With the evidence they compile and possible help from medical experts and accident reconstructionists, your car accident lawyer can pursue a fair settlement. They will not be able to tell you an average time for how long it takes to receive a car accident settlement. Unexpected delays can happen, prolonging a settlement process. They have no way of knowing what twists and turns your case might take, but they will work to produce the best possible outcome for you.
The Factors That Dictate the Settlement Process
It may not be smooth sailing for your settlement process if it lasts longer than a few months. The following factors could affect the settlement process.
Questioning of Liability
Establishing liability and proving negligence is more difficult in some car accidents. If you shared fault, this could complicate the process in states that use comparative negligence, which the Legal Information Institute explains apportions fault and allocates damages. Determining liability might make the settlement process take longer.
Eyewitness Accounts
If there were many eyewitnesses to the accident, and you exchanged information with them so they can provide statements, either you or your personal injury lawyer will have to interview a lot of people. This process can take several months or more. It may not be easy to coordinate with all the witnesses and have them satisfy their essential role at an ideal time.
Recovery Time for Your Injuries
If you still must receive treatment for your injuries, the final amount of your medical bills has yet to be determined. Once you have fully recovered, only then will you know what your medical expenses are and what future medical care you might need. You also will have a better idea of what to request as compensation for lost income. A car accident lawyer will likely not want to settle a claim until you have finished recovering and know all the recoverable damages you may be entitled to receive.
Insurance Company in No Rush to Settle
The more significant the accident, the longer it will take for a case to settle. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), “Over the past two years, both the accident rate and the size of insurance claims have climbed dramatically.”
Insurance companies will investigate your case and try to find any small pieces of information they can hold against you to devalue your claim. They may also delay in offering or paying out settlements. Working with a car accident lawyer can be beneficial to your case. A legal professional is familiar with insurance company tactics and can handle all communication with them while maintaining productivity.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC, Will Fight for You
The average time for a car accident settlement does not exist. The amount of time it takes to receive a settlement will depend on everything surrounding a case.
A car accident lawyer from Ben Crump Law, PLLC, will work for you to fight for the financial award you deserve, keeping your best interests in mind. You might not want to wait to reach out, as it takes time to build a case before your state’s statute of limitations runs out. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get to work on your behalf. Call (844) 730-0233 today for a free case review with a member of our team.
