If you have been injured in an accident, you may be wondering how long it will take to resolve your case. The answer to this question depends on a number of factors, including the severity of your injuries, the complexity of your case, and the willingness of the other party to settle.
Factors that Affect the Length of a Personal Injury Case
The following are some of the factors that can affect the length of a personal injury case:
- How severe are the damages?: More serious injuries typically take longer to resolve than less serious injuries. This is because it takes longer to recover from more serious injuries, and there may be more medical bills and lost wages associated with them.
- The complexity of the case: Some personal injury cases are more complex than others. For example, cases involving multiple defendants, product defects, or insurance coverage issues can take longer to resolve.
- The willingness of the other party to settle: If the other party is willing to settle your case quickly, your case will likely resolve more quickly. However, if the other party is unwilling to settle, your case may go to trial, which can take several years to resolve. Some insurance companies and their lawyers engage in delay tactics.
- The amount of insurance coverage available: If the insurance coverage is low and the damages are high, insurance companies are more likely to attempt and early settlement. When the insurance coverage is high or if the defendant has substantial wealth, the insurance company or defendant will have more incentive to fight hard and attempt to minimize what they have to pay.
Average Length
The average length of a personal injury case is about two years. However, this is just an average. Some cases can take much longer and others settle quickly. If you have serious injuries, but there is very little insurance coverage, your case may settle rather quickly.
Can the Process be Sped Up?
There are a few things you can do to speed up the process of your personal injury case:
- Get medical treatment as soon as possible: This will help to document your injuries and make it easier to prove your case. It will also help you obtain a more rapid recovery.
- Gather evidence: This includes collecting medical records, police reports, and witness statements if you do not have an attorney. If you have an attorney, you can make sure your attorney has the information they need to gather the critical evidence.
- Hire an experienced personal injury lawyer: An experienced lawyer can help you to navigate the legal system and get your case resolved as quickly as possible.
Morefield Speicher Bachman Can Help
At MSB, we understand the stress associated with being in an accident and are here to help every step of the way. Contact our personal injury attorneys today.