If your world has been turned upside down because of a serious injury caused by someone else’s negligence, it is only natural to wonder how long your personal injury case will take to settle. Unfortunately, because every accident, injury, and set of circumstances is different, it is impossible to know exactly how long your claim will take to complete. Often, you need to complete your medical treatment before your claim can be completed, but it can sometimes be sooner depending on the statute of limitation or the insurance limits.
Personal injury settlements can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to several years. In every situation, it is in your best interest to call a lawyer as quickly as possible after an accident.
Fuller & Fuller, Attorneys PLLC, has been helping injury victims pursue justice since 1972. Led by Marya Fuller, a specialist in accident and injury law, our personal injury attorneys have built a reputation for excellence in Washington. We’ve helped clients from Olympia, Tacoma, and other areas pursue the full compensation they need to move forward with their lives.
What to Expect When Pursuing a Personal Injury Settlement
While every personal injury case is unique, there is one thing they all share in common: The insurance company will try to pay you as little compensation as possible.
Unfortunately, not all injury victims realize this. They expect insurance companies to treat them fairly and with respect. However, insurance adjusters will use your own words and inexperience against you. They may offer you a tempting settlement that is far less than you need and deserve.
A personal injury attorney can protect your rights. Your lawyer knows the tactics used by insurers and will negotiate on your behalf for a settlement that reflects the true value of your physical, emotional, and financial losses. In some cases, a lawyer can negotiate a fair settlement relatively quickly with an insurance company. In other cases, an attorney may recommend taking the claim to court if a fair settlement cannot be negotiated, a process that will take more time, but may be necessary to achieve justice.
Factors That Can Affect Your Personal Injury Claim
While personal injury claims typically follow a similar process, the time in which resolution can be achieved varies with each case. Some of the factors that can impact your case’s timeline include the following:
Severity of Injuries
Cases that involve minor injuries can resolve more quickly than cases involving catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries.
It takes longer for a victim of a severe injury to recover, and it takes time to determine their long-term prognosis. When recovering from a serious injury, it may be necessary to undergo multiple surgeries and extensive physical therapy.
Case Value
The higher the amount of compensation being pursued in a personal injury claim, the less likely the insurance company is to pay within a reasonable amount of time. In cases involving high dollar amounts, insurance companies often drag their feet until a court date has been set and the date of the trial date is near. The closer the trial date, the more leverage injured parties have to achieve a fair outcome.
Case Complexity
Cases are settled faster when they are relatively straightforward with regard to who is at fault, and the extent of the injuries. For example, a rear-end collision in a car accident will likely take less time to settle than a multi-vehicle truck accident where it is not clear who ran the stop sign. In more straightforward cases, the details and documents are easily accessed and readily available. There are fewer facts that are likely to be disputed in a rear-end accident.
A case takes longer when there is a dispute about the facts relating to fault. These cases can involve extensive discovery hearings and reports from engineers or accident reconstruction specialists.
Case Timeframe
Many people are unable to work and have little to no income following a serious injury. Insurance companies know this, and often offer lower settlements because they know injury victims may be desperate for any settlement to cover their immediate financial losses.
At Fuller & Fuller, Attorneys PLLC, we know how important it is to move a case as quickly as possible without sacrificing the long-term interests of our clients. Speedy settlements do not ensure good outcomes. However, it is also important to ensure that cases do not drag out longer than necessary. What is most important is to begin the legal process as quickly as possible, meet appropriate deadlines, and diligently pursue the full and fair compensation you need to cover the extent of your damages.
Insurers have time to wait. In fact, delaying settlements benefits the insurance company. When an injury victim grows more desperate and frustrated, he or she is more likely to accept a lowball settlement. It is crucial to understand the long-term implications of your injury and seek the full value of your immediate and long-term losses before settling. A seasoned attorney can determine when it is best to accept a settlement and when you should continue fighting for what you deserve.
A Tailored Approach to Suit Your Needs
Our seasoned personal injury lawyer is very capable of moving a case quickly. However, in cases of severe injury, we prioritize the unique needs and goals of our clients over a speedy outcome. We work swiftly and meticulously for our clients; we know they need fair compensation promptly, and we work to streamline the process according to their individual situations.
Call Our Personal Injury Lawyer in Olympia
A personal injury can be one of the most difficult experiences a person can endure. At Fuller & Fuller, Attorneys PLLC, we understand the hardships you may be facing, and we are committed to helping you move forward with confidence and dignity. We will take the time to investigate the details of your accident, build a compelling case on your behalf, and pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
See what our clients say about us.
Contact our office online or at (800) 570-4878 today for a free initial consultation. We welcome clients from Olympia, Tacoma, and surrounding counties and other Washington communities.
