Car accident settlements can be a crucial lifeline for victims of mounting medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional trauma. A timely settlement not only provides financial relief but also peace of mind. However, the process can sometimes take longer than expected. That leaves you wondering why the settlement process is moving so slowly. Here, we’ll discuss the factors that could influence the length of your settlement process and provide tips to expedite it.
What Factors Affect The Settlement Process?
There are several reasons why the settlement process might move more slowly. Common factors that could impact the process include:
Your Case’s Complexity
More complex cases often include:
- Multiple parties – Accidents with multiple vehicles or parties can make it harder to determine liability. Harder to coordinate with various insurance companies. Ultimately, this prolongs the settlement process.
- Disputed liability – When the parties involved disagree on who is at fault, it can take longer to reach a settlement. Both sides may need to provide additional evidence to support their claims.
- Complicated accident scenarios – In cases involving unique circumstances, such as construction zones or defective roadways, establishing liability can be more challenging. That extends the time it takes to resolve the case.
The Severity of Your Injuries
The extent of your injuries plays a significant role in determining the duration of your case. Key considerations include:
- Ongoing medical treatment – If you’re still receiving treatment for your injuries, your attorney may advise waiting to settle your claim until you reach maximum medical improvement. This ensures that all medical costs and long-term care needs are accounted for in the settlement.
- Determining the long-term impact – Some injuries may have lasting effects that aren’t immediately apparent. It’s essential to assess the long-term impact of your injuries on your quality of life and earning capacity before settling your claim.
- Medical expert evaluations – In some cases, medical experts may need to evaluate your injuries and provide their opinion on your prognosis and future care needs. Scheduling and obtaining these evaluations can take time.
The Legal Process
The legal process for settling car accident claims can be time-consuming due to various procedural steps, such as:
- Gathering and reviewing evidence involves collecting vital information like police reports, medical records, and witness statements. In some cases, additional evidence, such as accident reconstruction reports or surveillance footage, may be required, which can take time to obtain.
- Negotiations with insurance companies – Negotiating with insurance adjusters can be a lengthy back-and-forth process. The stages of negotiation include initial offers, counteroffers, and potential mediation in some cases.
- Preparing for the possibility of a trial – While many cases settle out of court, preparing for trial can add time to the process. This stage may involve the discovery phase, depositions, expert testimony, and more.
How You Could Help Expedite The Process
While you can’t control every aspect of your case, you can take steps to expedite the settlement process:
- Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney – An experienced attorney knows how to present a strong case to insurers. That increases the likelihood of a fair and timely settlement.
- Maintaining open and honest communication – Keeping the lines of communication open with your attorney can speed up your case. This includes providing all relevant information to your attorney. The more information your attorney has, the better equipped they are to build a strong case and negotiate on your behalf.
- Remaining patient and persistent – While it’s natural to want a quick resolution, balancing this desire with the need for a fair settlement is important. Accepting a lowball offer may provide immediate relief. But it could leave you with insufficient funds to cover future expenses related to your injuries.
How Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers Could Help
Car accident settlements can take time. However, hiring an experienced personal injury attorney, maintaining open communication, and remaining patient and persistent could help expedite your case. That increases the likelihood of a fair and timely settlement. Contact The Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers at (214) 777-7777 for a free case review to discuss specifics. Our dedicated team is available to speak with you 24/7, and we’ll be ready to answer your questions and help you understand the legal process.
We represent clients on a contingency-fee-basis, so we won’t receive any money until you do. Call us now and get started on your case today.