How long will it take to settle my personal injury claim?
Compensation following a personal injury goes a long way in getting your life back on track after an accident. With that in mind, no one wants their personal injury case to drag on for eternity, and that is why many rush into a settlement. However, it may not be the best deal for you – you could end up with way less than you deserve.
A hurried claims process can end up hurting you in the long run, especially if you have a strong case. While justice delayed is justice denied, it is equally important to safeguard your rights following a personal injury.
What timeline can you expect?
The only real answer here is, “It all depends on the nature of your case.”
Generally speaking, issues involving liability and damages factor heavily into how long it takes a case to settle. When liability for the accident is unclear, that’s going to make the claim harder to settle. While insurance companies may be willing to quickly settle a small claim — where injuries are slight — they may hesitate to settle a larger one involving more serious injuries.
Your healing time is also part of the equation. Often, you can’t even begin to effectively negotiate your claim with the other parties until you have either recovered from your injuries or reached the maximum medical improvement that can be expected.
Finally, the timeline may depend on whether you and the other parties can agree on a fair settlement. If you can, your case will settle much faster than one that has to go to litigation.
Don’t make snap decisions
It’s wisest to carefully consider all the options at your disposal before accepting an offer to settle your personal injury claim. Remember: Settling means that you can no longer get additional compensation for the same injuries even if your condition worsens.
Negotiating a satisfactory end to your personal injury claim can be time-consuming. Knowing more about the process can help you make better decisions about your case.