Following a car accident, it’s understandable that you want to get the settlement over as quickly as possible so you can move on from a traumatic event and get your life back to normal. This can cause frustration when settlement is taking longer than you’d expect. Learn more about why your accident settlement is taking so long and the factors that contribute.
Average Length of Time for Car Accident Settlement
The average length of time for a car accident settlement can vary depending on the circumstances of your accident. Something straightforward such as a rear-end accident may be quick to turn around if fault is easily identifiable. However, depending on the specifics of the accident, it can just as quickly become messy and drawn out. This means any one accident could take months to years to resolve depending on what’s involved. This is why it’s more important to look at the factors that impact settlement and evaluate how they may apply to your case.
Learn more about what you can expect with a personal injury lawsuit timeline.
Factors That Impact a Car Accident Settlement Timeline
There are extensive factors that can impact the timeline for a car accident settlement. A knowledgeable attorney will be able to evaluate every detail of your case and give you a better understanding of what to expect and the potential challenges you may face.
Medical Treatment
The severity of the injury plays a role in the length of the settlement. This is because it is important to reach maximum medical improvement to understand the value of the case. Reaching this point gives the legal team a better understanding of medical expenses up until this point and potential long-term expenses.
What is Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)?
Maximum medical improvement refers to the point at which an injured patient is recovered to the greatest extent medically expected by their physician and their recovery has stabilized. This is based on the clinical expertise of the medical provider and can help inform attorneys of the extent of injuries to better determine fair compensation.
Collecting Evidence
Evidence takes time to collect. This includes any medical bills and records, details of the accident scene, police reports, witness statements, traffic cams, and more. The legal team wants to ensure they leave no stone unturned and that damages are fairly assessed.
Parties Involved
Cases with multiple or complex parties such as a company or government entity can take longer to settle. This is due to multiple schedules involved and multiple perspectives to account for. In addition, if the accident involves larger corporations like Uber or Lyft or commercial vehicles like USPS delivery trucks, it could take longer on the administrative and communication side of negotiations.
Complexity of Case
Complex cases take longer to dig into. Straightforward accidents with obvious faults are quicker to settle than accidents involving multiple vehicles, unclear liability, commercial vehicles, witness discrepancies, and more.
Negotiation
Negotiation is a back-and-forth process that relies on both sides to succeed. However, it’s possible to deal with parties who are unamicable and purposefully drag out the process as much as they can. Learn more about the negotiation process here.
Litigation
If a settlement is not reached, litigation is the next step. This can prolong the settlement process even more because you’re not just working with the schedules of the parties involved but the court system and staff involved like judges.
Why Does Insurance Take So Long
It’s important to remember that insurance companies usually have their best interests in mind. If you’re being offered a quick settlement, it’s best to check in with a legal attorney to be sure you are not being lowballed by insurance. Adjusters may try a variety of tactics to reduce the payout whether that’s offering something quick, out of the gate in hopes you’ll accept and move on or drag out the process to find reasons to deny your claim.
Learn about dealing with insurance companies after a car accident and reach out to a trusted attorney for guidance on your claim.
DM Injury Law Can Help with Your Car Accident Case
The legal team at DM Injury Law is dedicated to helping clients get their life back on track. With over a century of collective experience in personal injury cases and extensive experience representing car accident victims, we’re the team that will work tirelessly to get you the justice you deserve. You don’t have to face these challenges alone. Get in touch today for a free consultation and learn more about how we can help.