Depending on the timeline for your recovery, your case may be delayed as you learn more about the extent of your injuries, the estimated cost of your medical expenses, the need for future treatment, and other related factors. If the accident was minor and your injuries were not severe, your case may take less time to settle. Generally, your lawyer may not make this settlement demand or take your case to trial until you have reached your point of maximum medical improvement (MMI) to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
How Complex Your Case May Be
The complexity of your case often impacts the length of time your claim may take. For example, if the accident was fairly straight-forward, and the other party admits fault for causing the accident, their insurer may agree quickly to a fair settlement offer. However, more complex cases may take up to one or two years or even longer to resolve. Other factors that may make your case more complex include if there are multiple parties potentially liable for your injuries, complicated insurance issues, or medical malpractice, which may require expert witnesses to review your case.
The length of your case may also be impacted by how willing the other party’s insurance company is to cooperate with your attorney in negotiating an acceptable settlement offer to avoid the time and expense of a trial. If your case goes to trial, it may often take months to get a trial date set, while the actual trial may only take one or two days or as long as one or two weeks. Finally, if the trial result is appealed, your case may take even longer before you can receive compensation.
