The amount of time it takes for a car accident claim to settle depends on the circumstances surrounding the accident. Certain cases that have clear-cut facts can settle in a few months.
More complex cases, such as those in which the victims of the crash suffer lingering injuries that doctors struggle to diagnose may take a few years or more to settle. Sometimes, it is necessary to delay settling a case after a car accident to ensure that the victims receive the settlement they deserve.
That’s why if you were injured in a car accident, you may not want to settle until doctors have given you a full diagnosis of your injuries, ensuring that you know if you will be facing a reduction in quality of life into the future.
Items that Affect Car Accident Case Lengths
A number of items can affect the length of time it takes to reach a settlement with the insurance company, making it difficult to estimate exactly how much time any individual case will require.
Lengthy Negotiations
Before a personal injury case goes to court, the insurance company for the negligent driver likely will contact you, seeking to come to a settlement to avoid a court case. This is a common way for personal injury cases involving car accidents to end, as it leads to a quicker conclusion, which is beneficial to both sides.
Some insurance companies will claim they are trying to move negotiations along when, in reality, they are slowing down the negotiations, perhaps in an effort to make the victim in the case become tired of waiting for a conclusion and accept a smaller settlement. This is more likely to occur when a victim is representing himself or herself in negotiations.
When you have a personal injury attorney on your side, you can be certain that they will work hard to keep the negotiations moving along at the proper pace.
Disputed Facts
If it is not completely clear exactly which party was at fault for the crash, this can cause a significant delay in reaching a settlement.
When the insurance company for the other driver admits fault on behalf of its client, the case potentially will move along quickly.
However, if the other driver’s insurance company wants to dispute the facts in the case, claiming its client is not solely at fault, the case can take longer to settle. You and your attorney will have to collect evidence that shows the other driver’s actions led to the crash, meaning you deserve a full settlement amount for your pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages.
Lingering Injuries
If you suffered debilitating injuries in the car crash that another driver caused, this can result in a significant delay in the settling of the case. This is common in a case with a spinal injury, for example. According to the Mayo Clinic, this type of injury requires multiple tests to come to a proper diagnosis.
You and your attorney will want to make sure you have seen all of the doctors you need to see to give you the most accurate possible diagnosis, so you know exactly what kind of health future you are facing.
If the injuries leave you unable to continue to work in the same job you were in before the crash, calculating your projected settlement amount could be a complex process.
You will want a full diagnosis of your health outlook before settling the case because once you agree to a settlement with the insurance company, you cannot go back and request additional funds if a new diagnosis appears. Taking the time to ensure a proper diagnosis can lengthen the time the case requires, though.
For a free legal consultation, call (404) 888-8888
Moving Toward a Fair Settlement
So, how long does a car accident claim take to settle? It really depends on the circumstances in the case. Some cases lend themselves to a relatively quick settlement, while others require a longer negotiation time.
As long as you start the process of filing a lawsuit within the two-year statute of limitations in the state of Georgia, as spelled out in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §9-3-33, you and your attorney can ensure you are keeping the case on track and are meeting any deadlines associated with this type of case.
Taking a Case to Trial
Another reason it is impossible to determine the exact length of time a car accident case may require is that cases like this sometimes end up in a trial. If the insurance company refuses to come to a fair settlement during the negotiation phase, we at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers will stand by your side during the trial, representing your interests.
Call Bader Scott Injury Lawyers Today
For a free case review, call Bader Scott Injury Lawyers today at (404) 888-8888. As soon as you choose to hire us, we will begin working on your behalf, taking over negotiations with the insurer and studying the facts in the case. We will work as quickly as possible to help you seek fair compensation.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form