How Long Does a Personal Injury Case Take to Settle?

Personal injury cases arise when an individual suffers harm from an accident or injury, and someone else is legally responsible for that harm. These claims cover a wide range of scenarios – from car collisions to slip-and-fall accidents all the way to medical malpractice. Our Mesa accident lawyers handle them all.

The time it takes for a personal injury case to settle varies due to multiple influencing factors; no two cases will ever unfold in exactly the same manner. However, almost all cases share certain aspects that will affect the timeline of a settlement. Here are some of the key elements that will influence how long it takes the case to settle.

Complexity of The Case

The complexity of the case plays a crucial role in determining how long it may take for a settlement to occur. If liability is clear and isn’t disputed, cases tend to resolve more quickly.  When the offending party accepts their responsibility for causing an injury or damage following an auto accident or incident at their property, it makes things easier and speeds up the whole process.

On the other hand, a case becomes more challenging and time-consuming if there are disputes about who’s liable. Determining fault becomes even more convoluted when multiple parties are involved in a case. For example, an accident involving multiple vehicles can lead to disagreements between multiple insurance companies as they dispute liability and try to pin the blame on the other parties.

Severity of The Injuries

The extent of injuries suffered significantly influences the duration it takes to reach a personal injury settlement. Serious or complex injuries usually require long-term treatment and multiple medical evaluations to determine their full impact on your health. 

While you may want a quick resolution, this waiting period can actually be quite important for your case. Without a clear understanding of your recovery timeline and potential long-term impacts, it’s not possible to assess the value for appropriate compensation. Your Mesa personal injury attorney will want to account for all associated medical costs, both current and future ones that might arise from a permanent disability or ongoing care.

Insurance Company’s Cooperation

The cooperation, or lack thereof, from the insurance company involved also greatly affects the timeline for the resolution of your personal injury case. Some insurers might quickly acknowledge their policyholder’s responsibility and agree to a reasonable settlement amount quickly.

Others, though, may resist settling quickly, which is often used as a strategy to wear down claimants hoping they’ll finally settle for less than what they’re entitled to just to make sure they get some sort of compensation. 

The less cooperative an insurance company is, the longer it will take for a settlement to occur.

Competence of Your Attorney

Your attorney’s competence undoubtedly influences the timeline of a personal injury settlement as well. Lawyers proficient in handling negotiations with insurance companies will understand how to navigate these situations efficiently and how to approach settlement discussions. The more experience they have and the more competent they are, the more likely it is that you will receive a quicker settlement.

That being said, if the defendant is being unreasonable, it doesn’t matter how good your attorney is – you may have to take the case to trial to get what you actually deserve. 

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a free consultation, reach out to us today.