Personal injury cases are one of those things that shouldn’t be rushed.
There are numerous steps involved in the claims process, and each requires an appropriate amount of time in order to make sure you receive proper compensation.
We’ve published an article that takes a long, hard look at the steps of the claims process and how long a successful injury claim typically takes to settle. Here are some highlights.
There are many steps in the claims process
After an accident, the ball should get rolling as soon as possible for your injury claim. That being said, the first step you should take is to contact a personal injury attorney immediately.
After contacting an attorney comes starting paperwork and investigating your claim. Complicated cases can include many witness statements that need to be reviewed, insurance disputes that need to be settled, and damages that should be added up. All of this takes time – anywhere from six months to a year!
Most cases are settled after this; however, if not, you may need to file a lawsuit and go to trial. A verdict can add another 1-2 years onto the wait. This means you could be waiting for upwards of 3 years to receive your compensation.
What determines how long a claim will take?
Each case is different, but there are certain aspects that can determine how long your claim will take to reach settlement. They include:
- Complex Cases: Complex cases like medical malpractice will take longer to process and settle than a simpler slip and fall.
- Severity of Your Injuries: If your injuries are severe, it may take longer to for the extent of your damages to be added up. It’s important to wait until then because not doing so can lessen your compensation.
- Your Patience: It’s hard to wait, but showing patience in a personal injury case could mean more compensation. Settling quickly often means you’re sacrificing some of your money.
For more information on the expected timetable of your personal injury claim, check out our infographic to get an idea.