One of the most common questions any car accident attorney gets in our office is: How long will it take to settle my accident claim? and to be honest with you, it depends. There are many layers to a car accident claim that most people are unaware of. Put simply, it can take anywhere from six months to almost two years to settle your claim. and that is assuming that your accident lawyer at Silverthorne Attorneys does not need to file a lawsuit. Today, we are going to go over some of the factors that may leave you in a short limbo period.
First, we want to get into the factors that affect the value of your settlement. When it comes to demanding your car accident claim, we always wait until all of your medical treatment is complete. in that way, we make sure you are being compensated for everything so you can pay your bills.
How Long Will It Take To Settle A Claim?
As stated above, there are a few factors that go into the settling of your claim. Don’t get me wrong, there are some claims that are straight forward and liability is clear and the claim is settled in a matter of months. in that same way, one major factor is when you complete treatment. We will go over this more later.
Car Accident Attorney | What Are The Nature Of The Injuries?
This is probably the biggest hang up outside of determining liability. the nature and severity of your injuries will be a deciding factor not only in how much you get, but when you an accident lawyer can settle your case. for instance, if your damages and injuries are relatively small, your car accident will make a demand and if everything goes right, the insurance company will agree to the settlement amount. This process will likely take only a matter of months. on the other hand, if the insurance company does not believe that the injuries and damages sustained are validated in the claim demand, this may delay the settlement. for example: some insurance adjusters are suspicious of claims of small tissue damage that is only supported by chiropractic care. in that same way, it is important to keep up with any and all treatment plans.
The Insurance Companies
As our car accident attorney has stated before, insurance companies will do anything to prevent you from getting the settlement that is adequate and fair. for instance, some insurance companies may have more conservative policies regarding settlements and will likely offer a lower settlement. If an insurance adjuster has a larger case load, it is possible that it may take time for them to get back to your accident lawyer. Don’t be fooled. They do this on purpose. They are hoping that your car accident attorney at Silverthorne Attorneys will get antsy and try to settle right away. That is not how we do things here. If it comes down to it, we will file a lawsuit and take the case to trial.
Accident Lawyer | The Accident
There could be a few things about your accident that may delay your settlement. the most likely of factors could be that liability is unclear. This usually happens if there are particular instances of the accident where there are multiple people involved and it can be tricky to pin down liability. for instance, if one car stopped suddenly because of another swerving car in front, which then causes a third party to crash into the back of the stopped vehicle.
If a government entity is to blame for lack of a proper sign or lighting; this will greatly affect the timing of your settlement. It can be much more difficult to prove liability and who is at fault when it comes to government entities.
A possible third scenario would be if the car accident was not well documented. Meaning that there may have not been a police report or witness statements, etc. When the insurance adjuster does not have adequate information, it can greatly impact how long it will take to settle your case.
Injured? Contact Us Today!
When you are suffering from injuries due to an accident, you deserve to be compensated for those injuries. Even if it takes some time to settle your case, an accident lawyer in our office is here to make sure you get what you are due. We know very well, the bullying tactics of the insurance companies. and we will not stand for it. Our car accident attorneys are not afraid to stand up for what is right for our clients. We have built our law firm on the foundation that the client’s needs come first. Which means, you focus on getting treatment and getting your life back on track and by doing so, we will take the burden of the case off of your shoulders.
If you are suffering from injuries due to the negligence of another, please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your case. Consultations with an accident lawyer in our office are free! If you are unable to make it to our office in South Orange County, we will come to you. Contact us today!
