Why Is My Car Accident Settlement Taking So Long
If you’ve been hurt in a car crash, you may need financial compensation from the at-fault driver to help pay medical bills, repair your vehicle, and make up for lost income. All those expenses can add up to a lot of stress and might leave you wondering why it’s taking so long to settle your insurance claim. Understanding the factors that influence the timing of car accident cases and working with a seasoned attorney can help keep you informed about the progress of your claim.
How Long Do Car Accident Settlements Take to Process?
Unfortunately, attorneys cannot predict how long it may take to obtain a settlement in your car accident case. Some cases settle in a few weeks. Other cases can take months or years to settle. Some car accident cases even settle on the first day of trial or in the middle of the trial. There’s simply no telling how long yours might take until it’s underway – and even then, it can be hard to say for sure.
Hiring a car accident attorney can help make the claims process more efficient since an experienced lawyer will know what to expect and can handle the details of preparing and pursuing your claim while you focus your time and energy on your treatment.
What Variables Can Affect the Timing of Your Accident Settlement?
Many different factors can influence the duration and timeline of your car accident claim, such as:
- The type and severity of injuries and property damage you sustained in the crash
- The duration of your medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Whether your injuries resulted in prolonged or permanent disabilities or caused scarring/disfigurement
- The amount of time you need to take off from work during your recovery
- Whether you become permanently disabled from your job or other work
- The complexity of the evidence in your case
- Whether the other driver denies responsibility for causing the crash
- Whether you share any responsibility for the accident
- The availability of insurance coverage
- How quickly the insurance adjuster investigates and processes your claim
- Whether you file a lawsuit to pursue your car accident claim
- The schedule imposed by the trial court on your car accident case
How Can You Maximize Time and Compensation in a Car Accident Claim?
Fortunately, you can take steps to help make the claims process more efficient and improve your chances of recovering maximum compensation. Here’s what you can do:
- Obtain a copy of the police accident report. Insurance companies frequently deny or delay car accident claims without a copy of the police report.
- Seek prompt medical attention after the accident to document your injuries.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations and recovery instructions. Delaying treatment may cause the insurance company to question the validity of your injury claim.
- Obtain copies of medical records of your treatment and rehabilitation.
Finally, contact a car accident lawyer to help you pursue a settlement from the at-fault driver or insurance company.
Contact Our Akron Car Accident Lawyers for Help
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident someone else caused, you can pursue financial recovery for your injuries and losses through a car accident settlement. Contact Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal options and learn what to expect during settlement negotiations.
