Being in an accident may be a traumatic and stressful event which often leaves one with mental and physical problems. In addition to dealing with the aftermath and obtaining medical treatment, people may also have to deal with the legal procedure associated with filing accident claims.
“How long does it take?” is one of the most important queries people have in this circumstance. Even though the schedule can change dramatically based on the specifics, knowing what influences how long the settlement process takes can offer a bit of perspective and clarity.
Working with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer who will advise you regarding whether an offer is reasonable could be beneficial. It’s advisable not to accept such an offer unless you are certain that the money would cover additional costs, such as missed earnings and medical expenditures.
Factors That Decide The Time Needed For The Claim
There are a few factors to take note of that include:
How Complex Is The Case?
One important issue that significantly affects how long the settlement procedure takes is the complexity of the accident case. Simple cases can be settled quite quickly, such as small vehicle accidents with obvious faults and little damage. On the other hand, complicated instances with serious injuries, several parties, or disagreements over who is at fault may result in drawn-out talks or even a trial.
In such cases, the time it takes to achieve a settlement can be greatly increased by the process involving gathering evidence, calculating damages, and negotiating legal complexities.
A lot of accident victims attempt to handle their insurance company directly. This is something you can accomplish, and you could even be paid. However, you have a lower chance of getting a settlement or receiving as much money as injury victims who have legal counsel.
How Long Is Your Medical Treatment?
The length of time it takes to settle a claim depends greatly on the type of accident and the degree of medical care received. When an individual has injuries that are not immediately evident, they may require continuous medical attention and rehabilitation.
To make sure that all current and future medical expenses and losses are fairly taken into account, it is imperative to wait until the injured party achieves maximum medical improvement (MMI) before completing the claim. This may cause the settlement process to take far longer than necessary.
You might not have all the information you require if you haven’t totally or as much as possible healed from your injuries. You won’t be able to be sure how much your past medical treatments cost or how much care you’ll need until you’ve recovered to the fullest extent possible.
Insurance Company Policies
The processes and guidelines followed by insurance companies have an impact on how long it takes to resolve an accident claim. In order to determine the amount of damages and the legitimacy of the claim, insurance adjusters frequently carry out in-depth investigations.
Insufficient paperwork, arguments over the claim’s worth, or conflicts over liability can all cause delays. Furthermore, a lengthier wait time for a resolution may result from the insurance company’s backlog of claims.
The Negotiation Process
Depending on whether you negotiated the present offer, you may need to decide whether to settle or not. You may think it’s sufficient if you’ve negotiated back and forth with an insurance provider to get the present amount. If this is your first time receiving an offer, consider it carefully before saying yes.
The settlement timeframe can be greatly impacted by negotiations between the various parties, including the insurance company and legal counsel. The matter may go to trial if the parties are unable to come to a just compromise through talks. The duration of legal processes, such as discovery, court scheduling, and pre-trial motions, can significantly increase the time it takes to arrive at a settlement. The length of the settlement procedure may also be made worse by backlogs in the courts and delays in the legal system.