How Long Will a Car Accident Case Take to Resolve?

(Photo : photo)

In 2017, there were 183 car accidents at the intersection of Okeechobee and Military in West Palm Beach. The city is home to thousands of car accidents each year. Victims are often left with vehicle damage, injuries, and financial burdens. Although an insurance or personal injury claim could get you money for your accident, the claims process takes time. Find out how long your accident could take to resolve.

How Long Does an Insurance Claim Take?

An insurance claim could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to settle. First, you need to file the claim. The insurance company will connect you with an insurance adjuster who will assess your damage. Typically, the less damage involved in the accident, the quicker a claim will be resolved.

The process takes longer when the insurance company denies your claim or refuses to pay for certain expenses. You're not obligated to take the first settlement offer. In fact, the first offer is usually less than you deserve. While you might be in a rush to receive your money, waiting could be worth your time. It could take months for an experienced lawyer to negotiate a deal with the insurance company.

How Long Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Take?

Under certain circumstances, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent driver or third-party. Much like the insurance claims process, this one also takes time.

A typical case takes about one year to resolve. However, it could take less or more time for both parties to reach a resolution. There are several factors that impact the timeline of a car accident lawsuit.

How Long it Takes to Serve the Defendant

After you file the lawsuit, you need to serve the defendant a copy of the complaint. Nothing can happen until they are officially served. Unfortunately, some people are difficult to track down. Depending on how skilled the plaintiff is at avoiding process servers, they may be able to avoid being served for several months.

How Long it Takes the Defendant to Respond

Once the defendant receives the complaint, they have a set amount of time to respond to it. If they respond immediately, your case can move forward and may be quickly resolved. But if they take their full time to respond, your case could be on hold for about a month.

How Long Discovery Takes

One of the most time-consuming aspects of a car accident case is the discovery process. During the discovery, each party asks for information regarding the case. They look for evidence that will be used in trial. Generally, it takes at least three months for the discovery process to conclude. If the case is complex, it could take longer than one year.

Whether or Not It Goes to Trial

Most car accident lawsuits never make it to a courtroom. This is because they are usually brought to an end with a settlement offer. At any point, after the lawsuit is filed, both parties can go into mediation. If you have compelling evidence in your favor, the other party could give you a settlement offer that gives you the money you need to pay your expenses.

If you go to trial, your case will take longer. But it could be your best option. To learn more about your options for compensation, you should work with an experienced car accident attorney.