You’ve been in a car accident. Now, waiting for settlement money has added stress. You might find yourself wondering why the process is taking longer than anticipated. Knowing what affects how long it takes to settle an accident case can help you feel more at ease and have reasonable expectations.
The involvement of more parties typically means a longer resolution time. Parties involved in a car accident each have different views, causing delays in negotiations. Mediation might be needed to resolve disputes efficiently. To speed up your settlement, hire a skilled car accident lawyer.
Understanding the Accident Settlement Process
An accident settlement is an agreement between the people involved in a personal injury case. It usually includes the injured person (plaintiff) and the person or company responsible for the injury (defendant). The goal is to solve the problem without going to trial.
In a typical settlement, the defendant or their insurance company pays the plaintiff. In return, the plaintiff agrees not to sue for more money or continue any legal action. The plaintiff might get money to cover different things in a settlement. This could be for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses from the accident.
Settlements are final and legally binding. Once you accept a settlement, you can’t ask for more money for that accident. Make sure the settlement meets your needs before saying yes.
Many people prefer to settle outside of court to avoid the uncertainty and costs of a trial. But not all cases end in a settlement. If they can’t agree, the case may go to trial for a judge or jury to decide.
What Goes Into the Accident Settlement Process?
Accident settlements are typically reached outside of court through negotiations by attorneys and insurance companies. These talks can be informal or more structured in mediation sessions. The parties review accident details to agree on a fair settlement amount. The negotiations involve discussions on liability and compensation amounts.
Once a settlement figure is agreed upon, the terms are put into a settlement agreement. Both parties must review, understand, and sign the agreement for it to be valid.
The decision to accept the settlement ultimately rests with you as the client. Court approval may be needed in certain circumstances, like cases involving minors or wrongful death claims.
Key Influences on the Duration of an Accident Settlement
Understanding why an accident settlement may take longer can reduce your stress. Several important factors affect how long it takes to reach a settlement.
Investigation and Analysis of Your Case
The length of settlement talks depends on how well the case is investigated. Attorneys and insurance companies gather evidence and do legal research before negotiating. This step is important, especially in complex accident cases, and can delay the start of settlement talks.
Legal and Factual Issues in Your Case
The details of your case affect how long it takes to settle. Different accidents can make settlement easier or harder. For example, a rear-end collision is simpler than a multi-vehicle pile-up.
Serious injuries can also make the case last longer. Long-term injuries need careful evaluation for a fair settlement, which may lengthen negotiations.
Disputes Over Liability and Damages
Disagreements among parties in an accident case about fault, injuries, or compensation can delay the settlement process. If disputes can’t be resolved through negotiation, a court may need to step in to clarify these issues before settlement talks can resume. This can greatly lengthen the time needed to reach a settlement.
Multiple Parties Can Affect the Settlement Timeline
In accidents with many people involved, reaching a settlement takes longer. Each person and their insurance, lawyers, and reps have different views, needs, and schedules. This variety can make negotiations more complex and slower. To manage talks better, mediation or other court intervention may be needed.
Strategic Delays
During settlement negotiations in accident cases, parties may use strategic delays. This tactic can be used by lawyers, insurers, or others affected by the accident.
Each party aims to secure the best outcome for themselves. For instance, an insurance company might slow down negotiations to pressure the plaintiff into accepting a lower settlement offer out of impatience. On the other hand, a plaintiff might delay negotiations in hopes of finding additional evidence to support their case. This could strengthen their position in negotiations and lead to a higher settlement offer.
Commercial and External Factors
The time it takes to settle an accident case can be influenced by things like company rules and staff changes and global events like COVID-19, which might slow down the process. These factors can cause unexpected delays by affecting how well insurance companies and legal teams can work together.
The Advantage of Hiring a Car Accident Attorney for Your Settlement
To make an accident settlement easier, hire an experienced accident lawyer early on.
At Text Kevin Accident Attorneys, we:
- Investigate your case
- Create strong legal plans
- Assess your damages accurately.
We know how to counter delay tactics used by insurance companies. We can prevent disputes and keep your case on track toward resolution.
A lawyer with a good track record can help speed up the settlement process. Kevin Crockett stands out in this regard, including a perfect 10.0 “Superb” rating on AVVO and 5-star reviews from clients. Insurance companies are more likely to settle fairly and quickly with an attorney they respect.
Additional Steps to Quicken Your Settlement Process
Hiring an experienced accident attorney is the best way to help your claim move faster. However, you can also take other actions to speed up the settlement process.
Prioritize Your Health
It’s wise to follow your doctor’s advice for recovery. This helps show how your injuries affect your life every day.
Not following your treatment plan can make others doubt your injuries. This might cause delays in resolving your case.
Tip
Write down your treatments and symptoms. This helps prove how serious your injuries are, making it harder to dispute.
Maintain Open Communication with Your Lawyer
Your attorney is your advocate, working to secure the most favorable outcome for you.
Tell your lawyer immediately about any financial worries, your goals for the case, and personal issues that could impact the negotiation. Stay in touch with your lawyer so they understand your situation and can adapt to help you resolve the case.
Pro Tip
Update your lawyer on any changes to your health, new costs, or personal life shifts that could change your case. This helps your lawyer adjust the plan as needed to ensure your settlement talks reflect your current needs.
Don’t Wait to Hire a Lawyer
It’s important to get a lawyer quickly after your accident. A good lawyer can help you get a fair settlement and show the other side you’re serious.
Waiting to get a lawyer can slow things down, make the investigation longer, and make the insurance company doubt your claim. Getting legal help early can make it easier to prove your case.
Kevin Crockett is a top-rated personal injury attorney in Orange County. He cares deeply about his clients.
Kevin works tirelessly to help car accident victims. He grew up in Southern California and excelled in his education. He graduated first in his class from the University of California, Irvine, with a degree in Criminology, Law, and Society.
Kevin then earned his law degree from the University of California, Irvine School of Law. Since then, he’s only handled personal injury cases. This has allowed him to hone his skills and become a leader in personal injury law.
Kevin is dedicated to providing personalized support to each client. He has helped over a thousand accident victims. His goal is to secure justice and fair compensation for his clients. Kevin has a perfect rating and many positive client reviews on AVVO. Hiring Kevin means having a skilled attorney fighting for you.
Kevin has recovered millions for clients, including:
- $2,750,000 – Car Accident
- $1,250,000 – Pedestrian Accident
- $1,000,000 – Truck Accident
- $1,045,000 – Car Accident
- $1,300,000 – Car Accident
Consult Your Lawyer Before Accepting Any Direct Settlement Offers
If an insurance company offers you a settlement, talk to your lawyer before agreeing. The insurer may tempt you with quick payment, but initial offers are usually low.
Text Kevin Accident Attorneys can negotiate for a fair amount that reflects your losses. Once you accept a settlement, you can’t take further legal action.
Note
Initial offers are just the starting point. Patience can lead to better compensation. Insurance companies often present low-ball offers at the start of personal injury cases. They hope you’ll settle quickly without knowing the true value of your case.
Contact Kevin Crockett – Your Dedicated Car Accident Lawyer in Southern California
If you find yourself navigating the complexities of an accident settlement, don’t hesitate. Reach out to Text Kevin Accident Attorneys for a free consultation today.
Experience the difference of working with a dedicated, top-rated personal injury attorney who prioritizes your recovery and rights. Call (888) 965-3827 today.
