How Long Does it Take to Reach an Auto Accident Settlement?
If you have been unfortunate enough to be involved in an auto accident, you are probably anxious to put the potentially traumatic event behind you. One way of accomplishing this is by reaching an auto accident settlement as soon as possible.
General Expectations for Auto Accident Settlements
There is no such thing as a typical amount of time before you reach a settlement for your vehicle accident. Why is that? Because there are quite a few factors that can affect the duration of the claims process and potentially a personal injury lawsuit related to your accident.
The specific details and facts of your case will dictate how long it will be until you reach a settlement.
In reality, it could be as fast as a couple of weeks to a few months. In some cases, you might be waiting a few years for your car accident case to reach a settlement.
3 Things that Must Happen Prior to an Auto Accident Settlement Offer
Before you can receive an initial offer, which is the crucial first step to obtaining an accident settlement check, the following three things need to happen:
• Treatment must be completed or the patient is at optimal medical improvement. The timeline for that could range from a day to several years.
• All medical records and bills have to be secured, in addition to a doctor’s reports for future lost earnings and medical bills. The timeline for this can vary depending on the amount of medical records and reports that have to be gathered. The length of time ranges from days to potentially months.
• Obtaining a response to the demand package. This can last between 15 days to 90 days.
Overview of Car Accident Settlement Process
First off, having a lawyer by your side during this settlement process will assist you so you can more quickly determine the value of your case. After consulting with an attorney regarding your case, you will be knowledgeable about the specific facts, and as a result, you may find out potentially how long it will be before you reach a settlement. From there, your lawyer will communicate with the insurance company while advocating for your rights.
Subsequent to filing your claim and after the insurance company obtains documentation of your medical bills and damages, the insurance adjuster will then offer a settlement. It is the responsibility of your attorney to negotiate with the insurance company, as she seeks to secure the compensation you deserve.
Having the services of a competent auto accident attorney is important so you can be spared the numerous phone calls from insurance adjusters, who have a reputation for manipulating people and making them believe they bear responsibility for the accident, when in fact they may not. Your lawyer is there to champion your case and argue for the compensation that you are entitled to receive.
During the accident settlement process, your lawyer will compile evidence and potentially seek the assistance of medical experts and accident reconstructionists in her goal of seeking a fair and just settlement on your behalf.
What your attorney cannot do is give you a guarantee of how long the settlement process will be, as unexpected delays can occur, which extends the time until you could receive a settlement check. But your lawyer will work hard to secure the most favorable outcome possible for your case.
Factors that Influence Your Car Accident Settlement Process
Here are the primary factors that will influence the duration of the settlement process:
Recovery Time for Injuries
Early on, you may not know a crucial part of the puzzle – when it comes to the settlement outcome – which is the final dollar amount of your medical bills. This is assuming you are still receiving medical treatment from injuries you sustained in the car accident. After you no longer require treatment, a total dollar amount will be established for your medical expenses. Adding to this amount is the cost of future medical care you may need.
You will then be able to determine how much you should seek for lost earnings. Your attorney will probably want to hold off on settling your claim until your recovery is complete. Afterward, you and your lawyer will know the full extent of recoverable damages you are entitled to receive.
Accounts of Accident from Eyewitnesses
There could be quite a few people for you and your attorney to interview if you exchanged contact information with eyewitnesses at the car accident scene. These eyewitnesses can provide statements that could strengthen your personal injury case.
Be prepared for the fact that interviewing these eyewitnesses might take as long as a few months or even longer. You will be working with various people’s schedules, which means there will be a lot of coordination taking place. This could slow down the settlement process.
Questioning of Liability
There will be some auto accident cases where establishing liability and proving negligence will be more challenging, and even daunting. If you are partly at fault for the accident, this could add complications to your settlement process in states that apply comparative negligence. Washington is one of those states.
Determining liability could extend the settlement process significantly.
Look to Roberts Jones Law to Help You Reach a Favorable Settlement for Your Auto Accident Case
We at Roberts Jones Law will not rest until you obtain the maximum recovery possible, including reimbursement for medical expenses, lost wages and money damages for your pain and suffering.
At Roberts Jones Law, our attorneys are with you every step of the way. We meet with you from the very first consultation and will be the same attorneys with you in the event that your case goes to trial.
Be assured, Roberts Jones Law is on your team and will be your advocate, not that of the insurance companies.
Roberts Jones Law Is Here To Serve Your Legal Needs During Personal Injury Cases.
If you have been involved in an accident and there are multiple parties involved, you need the legal services from an experienced personal injury attorney from Roberts Jones Law. Our attorneys at Roberts Jones Law have the expertise and experience necessary to effectively handle multiple insurance companies simultaneously and to build a case designed to protect your rights and interests.
At Roberts Jones Law we will provide you with the guidance, care, and support needed to secure the compensation you deserve. If you have been injured as a result of someone’s carelessness, breach of duty of care, or deliberate act, you have rights under the law to seek compensation for your damages.
Trust the attorneys at Roberts Jones Law when you want legal services catered to your individual needs. Give us a call today or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation meeting to discuss your case.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not contain legal advice.
