A car accident is one of the most traumatic experiences that can leave the victims in distress. It is not limited to one thing -car accidents cause physical injuries, emotional stress, and financial stress. Within the blink of an eye, things go upside down. After such an incident, getting back to normal is hard, but car accident lawyers can help with this. Many people wonder: how long does it take a car accident lawyer to settle a case?
Well, this query doesn’t have a direct response. The answers aren’t always straightforward; every case is different. You will get an idea once you read the factors that influence the time taken. Let’s take a look!
What is the Process?
The timeline can be a few weeks to a few months or even a year. Let’s break down what usually happens.
Initial Meetings
The process will start as soon as you contact a car accident lawyer for a consultation. In the first meeting, the lawyers will assess your case and discuss the accident details. It provides an initial legal opinion on the options available. After you hire him, they will begin an investigation.
This process of collecting reports, witnesses, and medical records can take up to 2 weeks. It’s the most critical phase that helps the lawyers to understand the case and build a strong foundation.
Medical Treatment
The most prominent fact that influences the timeline of a car accident settlement is your medical recovery. In most cases, it is good to wait till you reach the maximum medical condition before starting the settlement. It’s the point where your condition has stabilized. If you settle too early without being aware of the injuries, you might underestimate the costs of medical care.
Your lawyer wants you to get paid for all the medical expenses – so it’s recommended to think wisely. This phase can be a few weeks or a few months, depending on the measurements.
Demand Letter
The first legal action taken by the lawyer is to write a demand letter to the third party. It will cover the details of the accidents and the demand for compensation. The insurance company would review it and respond within 30 days. From there, negotiations between the lawyer and insurance adjuster start.
It’s a back-and-forth process that takes up to 2-3 months. If your insurance adjuster is hard, it might take longer, but with the right lawyer, you will do it easily.
Factors That Influence Timeline
Here are the things that can vary the time of the settlement process;
Case Complexity
Cases where multiple vehicles have been damaged or severe injuries were reported to multiple people are much more complex. They take longer to settle down because the question of who is at fault or disagreement can prolong the negotiations.
Cooperation from the Insurance Company
Your insurance company’s cooperation affects the timeline. Some of them want to resolve cases quickly and negotiate fairly, while some may want to drag the process in hopes of reducing payout. Your lawyer may need to file a lawsuit in hard cases.
Medical Treatments
As mentioned above, your medical treatment process would take time. If the injury is minor, the case would be much faster to resolve. Your lawyer has to wait before you are closer to the MMI before pursuing a settlement; this guarantees that you are fully compensated for all medical costs, and the settlement shows all injuries on your file.
Court Availability
If negotiation is not giving results, the lawyer would file a case to the court. This drastically increases the time as the court processes may take over 6 months. A skilled lawyer will try his best to reduce the time and settle out of court whenever possible. Still, they are prepared to take your case to trial to get the compensation that you deserve.
Bottom Line!
Though some factors are beyond your control, you can take a few steps to speed up the process. Always provide detailed information about accidents to the car accident lawyer in Boca Raton in your first meetings to avoid delays. You must be transparent with your lawyer about the accident and injuries to avoid challenges that might come up during a trial. Keep in mind that fair settlement may take time but it’s worth the wait.
