When you’ve been injured in an auto accident, one of the first things you should do is talk to an attorney who specializes in car accident claims.
But how long does a car accident settlement take?
The answer depends on several factors, from the amount of time your lawyer needs to gather evidence to the responsiveness of the insurance company responsible for your claim.
The more responsive your insurance company is, the quicker your case will be resolved. We’ll take you through each step of the process and provide some tips on keeping your case moving forward as efficiently as possible.
An Overview of Car Accident Settlements
Car accident lawsuits can be complex, depending on state law and individual circumstances.
Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from four to 24 months for car accident litigation to resolve in court.
If you hire an attorney early on and settle out of court—and sometimes even if you have an auto insurance policy—it could be as short as three months or so.
It’s a good idea to ask about your specific situation with your lawyer during your first consultation. They should also give you an idea of what you might receive as part of a settlement.
Common Mistakes People Make During Settlement
Everyone wants to get their settlement quickly. The one thing people should know is that your attorney has no control over how long it takes for a car accident lawsuit or claim to settle.
So, if you’re doing your own research, don’t fall into one of these common traps.
Here are some common mistakes people make when they don’t hire an experienced car accident lawyer:
- They assume that negotiations with an insurance company will be fast and easy;
- They decide to negotiate without any help from an experienced lawyer;
- They try negotiating directly with their insurance company, rather than just letting their auto injury attorney handle it;
- They underestimate the time necessary for proper medical treatment;
- They skip out on physical therapy and opt for surgery instead.
What You Need to Know About Personal Injury Attorneys
Most people aren’t aware of how long it can take to settle a personal injury claim.
The truth is that there are many variables involved, such as where you live, who was at fault for your accident, and what injuries you sustained.
It’s also not uncommon for an injured person to be too emotionally distraught after their accident or surgery to even think about settling with insurance companies.
In cases like these, hiring an attorney can dramatically speed up your process and ease some of your burdens.
Here’s what you need to know about hiring personal injury attorneys if you have been in a car accident: Are Car Insurance Companies Hiring Attorneys for Victims?
Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer for the First Time
It’s one thing to hire an attorney for your personal injury case, but it’s quite another to hire an attorney for your car accident case.
Hiring a Jacksonville car accident lawyer requires research and determination, which can be challenging if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
However, hiring a competent car accident lawyer can make all of the difference in recovering compensation after an auto accident.
The best way to ensure that you have hired an experienced auto accident attorney is to ask questions before signing on any dotted lines.
The following are some of those questions that every injured person should ask their prospective attorney: How long have you been practicing law, and how many years experience do you have in personal injury law specifically?
How Your Attorney Will Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve
If you have been injured in an auto accident, you may be eligible for compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage, and pain and suffering.
But it can be hard to figure out how long a car accident settlement takes with an attorney. When you work with Martino Mccabe law firm, they will help you understand your rights and file all of the necessary paperwork so that your claim moves quickly through the settlement process.
Once they are in touch with insurers, they will typically begin their own investigation.
Most insurance companies want to settle claims as quickly as possible without going through litigation; they know that taking more time increases the risk of exposure to bad PR and future claims being made against them.