How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Case?

When clients come to our office for initial consultations, they are often curious about how long it will take for their case to settle. With insurance adjusters hounding them to settle and bills piling up, knowing when their case will conclude if they pursue one, is very important. However, when this question arises, the answer is always different.

This is because no two car accident cases are the same, and the timeline for each one depends on its unique facts. This blog will discuss the typical car accident case timeline and the factors that influence it. If you need more information, contact Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law. We will examine your case’s facts and give you a tentative timeline.

Our attorneys can also guide you on what to expect when you file the claim, inform you of the strengths and weaknesses of your evidence, and help calculate your compensation. Call us now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 for a free and confidential consultation.

Why Hire Our Car Accident Lawyers to Represent You?

At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we understand how car accidents impact victims’ finances, especially if they cannot work and have mounting medical bills. We also know that insurance companies use delay tactics to drag out the settlement timeline to pressure victims to accept less money, increase their profits, run out the statute of limitations, and wear victims down.

Our car accident lawyers have effective countermeasures to all these delay tactics and will ensure your case is resolved as fast as possible. We will protect your rights and interests and fight for a favorable outcome. Contact us today to get started on your case, as the statute of limitations has begun. (*Always speak directly to an attorney for the exact deadlines that apply to your potential claims.)

With us representing you, the at-fault party’s insurance company will be less inclined to get you to sign away your rights by accepting a lowball settlement. 

Car Accident Settlement Timeline: How It Works

Accident victims like their cases to settle fast and receive the settlement check, but building a successful case takes time and must go through several stages. Here’s what a typical car accident settlement timeline looks like:

• Filing the Claim: This involves sending a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance company, outlining how the accident happened, supporting evidence, and the damages sought.
• Investigation: The parties involved will investigate the liability and damages. If your injuries prevent you from doing so, we can help you gather evidence like police reports, witness statements, and medical records and bills.
• Negotiation: Once the insurance company concludes its investigation, it will respond to the demand letter. They can either accept the amount sought for damages or make a counteroffer. If the injured party agrees with the counteroffer, the negotiation ends. But if they don’t, the negotiation continues.
• Settlement Agreement and Disbursement of Funds: If a settlement is reached, we will draw up the agreement outlining the terms. Then, you and the at-fault party will witness and sign the document, and the money will be distributed between you, attorneys, and lien holders such as medical providers.

Not all car accident cases play out like this. If the insurance company fails to make a reasonable offer or denies the claim, the victim will file a lawsuit. The lawsuit process is different and takes longer, as it will go through discovery and trial before the case concludes.

A car accident lawsuit is subject to the court’s calendar, making the timeline challenging to predict. So, while the case lingers, settlement remains an option and is off the table only when the jury or judge gives a verdict. 

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Case?

Again, there’s no fixed timeline for settling car accident claims. Instead, the timeline is dependent on several factors. They include the following:

Whether Liability Is Clear or Disputed

The clarity of liability plays a crucial role in a car accident case timeline. The claim would move faster if the fault is apparent and there’s supporting evidence. However, if liability is disputed and requires extensive investigation, it will delay the case. Multi-vehicle accidents and crashes without video evidence often have disputed liability. Also, in multi-car collisions where different parties might be liable, it takes time to determine the percentage of each person’s fault, affecting the timeline.

The Severity of Injuries

It is best to wait until you attain maximum medical improvement (MMI) before accepting a settlement. If your injuries are severe, it might take a long time to attain MMI. The waiting period will add to the case timeline. But if the accident only involved minor injuries, the settlement would be faster.

The Value of the Claim

Insurers always want to limit the amount they pay as compensation, so they scrutinize claims involving a significant sum more closely. This often leads to disagreements over the value of pain and suffering, lost wages, and future medical expenses. The longer it takes to resolve the disputes, the more prolonged the case will be.

Insurance Company Tactics

Insurance companies have many tactics for delaying claims. Common examples include the following:

• Repeatedly requesting additional documentation
• Delaying communication or responses
• Disputing liability
• Offering unreasonably low initial settlement amounts
• Misinterpreting or contesting policy terms
• Claiming insufficient evidence of damages
• Requiring extensive investigations or third-party reviews
• Requesting unnecessary medical examinations
• Prolonging negotiations on minor details
• Waiting for claimants to become desperate and settle for less.

This could take months or years, extending the settlement timeline. The best way to deal with delay tactics is to have legal representation.

How to Speed Up Car Accident Settlement

If you want to improve your chances of getting a car accident settlement check early, do the following:

• Collect accident reports, photos, witness statements, and medical records as soon as possible.
• Immediately after the accident, notify your insurance company and the at-fault party’s insurer.
• Get medical treatment and keep detailed records of your injuries and medical expenses.
• Respond promptly to requests for information or documentation from your attorney or the insurance company.
• Hire a car accident lawyer to help you streamline the process, negotiate effectively, and avoid unnecessary delays.
• Refrain from discussing the accident online to prevent disputes over your claim.
• Stay reasonable during settlement discussions to avoid prolonged disputes.
• If negotiations stall, consider mediation or arbitration to avoid filing a lawsuit and going to trial.

Let Us Help You Maximize Your Compensation

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a car accident, our Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law auto accident lawyers can help you maximize your compensation. We will do all we can to ensure you get enough money to cover your damages and you get it without undue delay. Call us now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 for a free and confidential consultation.