How long do car accident settlements take? Car accident settlements may take a few months to a few years, depending on the issues of liability, severity of injuries, unexpected delays by the insurance company, and other unique details.
If you are struggling with a situation like this, our Houston car accident lawyer may be able to help.
Disputed Liability and How Long Car Accident Settlements Take
Fault is often a hotly disputed issue that delays settlements. Your lawyer presents a case showing that certain parties are liable, but insurance companies acting for the defendants may not accept their reasoning. They may argue certain points, feel that there is insufficient evidence, or produce conflicting evidence. As a result, negotiations take longer.
Additional investigations to clarify liability may involve accident reconstruction experts, vehicle damage analysis, and review of traffic camera footage. These steps take time but are often necessary to establish a clearer picture of what happened.
If disputes over liability reach a deadlock, your lawyer may recommend taking your matter to court. They want you to get a fair settlement that may protect you from the consequences of your car accident. If they believe your case is strong enough for you to stand a reasonable chance of winning, a verdict may make a substantial difference to the outcome.
How the Severity of Injuries Impacts the Timeline
The severity of your injuries and their impact on your life form part of how personal injury settlements are calculated. You and your lawyer need to know how long it will take for you to recover, and the degree to which you are likely to recover. Medical personnel will work to maximize your healing, but it can take time to reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI).
It is a point at which your treatment has run its course, and doctors conclude that you cannot expect much further improvement even if they were to continue treating you. It does not mean you are fully recovered, but it does indicate whether you can expect long-term or permanent impairment.
The importance of MMI in determining the value of any settlement cannot be understated. If car crash injuries mean that a person will be disabled, their compensation should provide for much more than it would if they only needed a few months of recovery time.
Delays Due to Insurance Companies
Whether it’s due to internal processes or negotiation strategy, insurance companies are not always as responsive as you and your lawyer might wish them to be. If you may be eligible for high-value compensation, you can expect attempts to pay you less.
Your lawyer will work in your best interests, and may advise you to reject low settlement offers, even though this means further delays. In general, waiting for a fair settlement may be more beneficial than accepting a quick one that does not do your damages justice.
A Car Accident With Multiple Liable Parties
Some car accident cases are very complex, involving claims or lawsuits against multiple liable parties. Each party may raise disputes of its own, debate fault, or contest its degree of fault. Their insurance companies each negotiate aggressively, sometimes attempting to shift blame between parties.
Each party may also be covered by different insurance policies with separate limits and conditions. Determining how compensation should be divided between them can add another layer of complexity. Of course, this affects how long car accident settlements take.
Ideally, the liable parties reach an agreement, with each of them shouldering their share of your damages. However, if they cannot agree, you may have to wait for a court’s decision, further extending the timeline.
Car Accident Settlement Timelines and Lawsuits
If negotiations with liable parties reach a deadlock, your lawyer may suggest litigation. There is still a chance that your case will settle out of court, but if it does not, you will have to wait for a trial date. The process of filing a lawsuit, indicating your complaint and the defendant’s response, may take several weeks, depending on the court’s schedule.
Once your lawyer has filed suit, the discovery process begins. Each side exchanges evidence and gathers further information. The process may involve additional document requests, depositions, and expert reports.
In complex cases, discovery may take several months. There is a chance that your case will settle during this phase. For example, the defendants may decide to concede certain disputed points and indicate their willingness to settle. If all else fails, you will have to wait for a court date.
Tips to Reduce How Long Car Accident Settlements Take
Sometimes, it takes time to get the best possible results, and patience pays off. However, you can reduce the time car accident settlements take without shortchanging yourself. Here are a few tips:
- Always prioritize medical treatment and advice. This leaves a paper-trail that limits the potential for arguments intended to downplay your injuries and damages.
- Get legal representation early on. A lawyer may be able to find and preserve time-sensitive evidence and has more time to strategize and build your case.
- Stay in contact with your lawyer, keeping them updated on new developments, for example, correspondence from insurance companies.
- Avoid providing detailed statements without legal advice, and consider referring insurers to your lawyer once you have representation.
- Do not share information about your accident or injuries on social media.
- Allow your lawyer to evaluate settlement offers. Sometimes, out-of-court settlement offers are worth considering.
This is broad advice, usually applicable to cases in which you were seriously injured. Still, it may be worth getting a lawyer for a car accident in other circumstances as well. If you feel you are being treated unfairly, seeking professional advice may help.
Discuss Your Car Accident Case or Settlement Offer With Us
There are times when insurance companies offer a quick settlement. It may be a fair one, but it may also be less than you deserve. Whether you want us to keep your progress toward a possible settlement on track or would like our opinion on a settlement offer you have already received, we are ready to help.
We understand the insurance industry and can offer informed opinions on how long a car accident settlement should take. A consultation is free, and if we work together on your case, you will only pay fees and case costs if we win. At Lowe Law, we are motivated, determined, and aggressive in representing our clients. Contact us today.