How Long Does A Personal Injury Case Settlement Take?

When taking the steps to seek out a personal injury case, one of the first questions everyone asks themselves is how long the process will take and when they will receive their personal injury settlement. In the shortest, but least helpful, version of the answer, a personal injury case can be any length of time. Many factors exist that depend on how the case is settled.

When in the process, there are questions to ask yourself before the case even begins, and the factors that exist before the case also play a part in the longevity of the case. Every step in the case is as crucial as the last, which creates a life span of the personal injury case that must be lived out before the case can come to a close. 

What Is Included In A Personal Injury Settlement?

The average time to settle a personal injury case can last anywhere between a few months to a few years, and can even proceed possibly even longer. A few months is the bare minimum, and it is very rare for a personal injury case to be resolved in such a short time frame. Every case is different, and sometimes a longer time frame means greater efficiency.

A personal injury case can last its shortest time span if the liability is clear, the injuries are significant and your insurance can and will cover the damages. Be on the lookout for insurance companies that try to drag out your case as long as possible solely to increase profit. This is another factor as to why personal injury cases can take up much time.

If your injury has prevented you from working, do not settle for less than you are entitled to for the simple sake of ending the personal injury case as soon as possible. In this way, you get less than you deserve and the insurance company will have to pay less. Sometimes, a lesser settlement means a faster end to the personal injury case, though it is not always the best route. 

On some occasions, an individual will get very injured, but is not willing to put in the time for an efficient personal injury case, and settles for significantly less than what they deserve. After the short time frame has passed, the individual finds that another medical issue has arisen that is related to the initial injury, or even a permanent disability has affected the individual. But at this point, they cannot receive more of a settlement than they already settled for, because the case had been made too early before the disability could be officially documented or assessed. This also happens in the case of multiple doctors giving varying prognoses for the same injury.

Sometimes, an insurance company will attempt to dispute who was truly at fault over the situation that caused the injury. They will question whether the injury was caused by an accident, or if the injury was truly an injury at all and perhaps was a preexisting condition.

The point of a case is to acquire the personal injury settlement that the individual deserves. If a personal injury case is settled before it can truly begin, then the individual is left with insufficient compensation to treat the resulting injury or injuries. 

Time Span Of A Personal Injury Case

In a personal injury case that lasts a few years, the first year of the case involves assessing your own health after the incident. This means that the insurance company is going to need to review all of your medical records and bills. From these, they will need to determine what exactly your injury was, and if you have any lasting problems from it. In relation, these facts will aid in making a prediction of how much related medical treatment you will require in the future. 

Basically, everything related to your specific injury in the past, the present, and the future will have to be assessed before a personal injury case settlement can be reached. Within the first year, the lawsuit may be filed, and the case will begin to be evaluated.

Only after every specific detail and estimation is reached can a personal injury settlement be claimed. This also includes information such as medical records, bills from providers, and other records in relation to the injury sustained. The insurance company will assess it, usually in the time frame of thirty business days. A few weeks after that are usually needed to negotiate the claim, and then a few more weeks added to that to settle the settlement papers and finalize the details. This can take anywhere between a few months to a few years. A personal injury case that takes years usually results in a larger settlement. 

How Much Compensation to Expect From A Personal Injury Settlement

Since each case is different, personal injury settlement amounts vary due to a number of factors. According to some statistics, the majority of personal injury settlements ranged from a mere $3,000 to $25,000. For some cases with severe injuries, the settlement average was over $50,000.   

The most important factors determining how much you can expect from your personal injury settlement depend on how serious your injuries are and the defendant's insurance policy. The insurance company will not offer personal injury settlements over the policy limits. 

Hiring a personal injury lawyer gives you the advantage of legal representation and one of the most crucial steps to increase your chances of being awarded the personal injury case settlement you want. A personal injury lawyer advocates for your case, protecting your personal rights and navigating the complexities of the court system and insurance companies.  

How Long Does It Take To Receive A Personal Injury Settlement Check? 

After you have been awarded your personal injury settlement, you will most likely receive your settlement check within six weeks from the end of negotiations. However, it’s important to know that additional delays can occur that will impact the time you receive the check.

If there is a delay, you should contact your personal injury lawyer. Your lawyer can investigate what’s going on and even resolve the delay so you can receive your settlement check as soon as possible. 

Your Personal Injury Case Checklist

In a personal injury case, the most important person is the individual affected. They were the ones injured, and they are the ones who need the settlement. Thus, it is up to the client to choose how long the case lasts, depending on how long they are willing to wait for the settlement.

The second most important person is the personal injury lawyer, as it is their job to collect, document, and provide all existing information to the involved insurance company as well as protect the rights of the client. The lawyer is the client’s liaison between themselves and the case, which can mean the amount of the settlement itself. Because of this, a personal injury lawyer should always be contacted as soon as possible after the injury has occurred, so the appropriate documentation and procedures can begin as soon as possible

Before settling, be sure you know the following factors:

• Length of medical treatment you require
• If you have received maximum benefit of post-accident treatment
• Receive a long term diagnosis

Do not sacrifice money now that could have been yours if you had waited longer before settling. The key to a personal injury case is patience. A personal injury settlement is permanent, and as such, it cannot be renegotiated after the initial case is settled. In these instances, patience pays off. The length of the wait is entirely up to you as the client and your own personal needs.

Finding an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you file your claim and advocate for your case is crucial to your claim. When beginning a case, be sure to share every detail with your personal injury lawyer, including how long a duration you are willing to wait for the settlement. Ask yourself not only if you are willing to wait a few years before the personal injury settlement is reached, but also if you can financially handle the event. More often than not, settlements are worth the wait, but you have the right to handle and make decisions accordingly. 

Are you thinking of beginning a personal injury case? Contact Lowman Law Firm to learn more about how our experienced personal injury lawyers can work to get you the personal injury settlement you deserve.