How Long Should I Expect Car Accident Claims To Be Settled?

Being in a car accident can change your life in an instant. Not only are you thinking about your own safety, but you’re probably also concerned about what will happen next to you, your car, and the legal procedures ahead. If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you will be required to file a car accident claim and the best way to do so is to hire a car accident attorney.

How Long Does It Take to Settle Your Claim?

It is crucial to have a realistic idea of the time it will take to settle your claim. There are many factors that affect the length of the process, listed below. However, once the claim is settled, you can expect to receive your check within four to six weeks.

1. Your Injuries

Your settlement probably won’t take place until you’ve recovered or have recovered to an extent where you are aware of the full treatment cost. This waiting period can take around six months or more, depending on the extent of your injuries. If you settle before this, you could be losing out on a big chunk of medical expenses.

2. Medical Records

Your attorney will need your medical records to keep track of the injuries that you suffered because of the accident. These records tend to contain professional opinions from medical experts that can help strengthen your claim.

3. Your Case

The length of time it takes to settle is determined by the nature of the case and the identity of the other party involved in the car accident. If it is a private party, your case could get settled quickly, but it can take longer if the other party is a government entity or a trucking company as they have large bureaucracies and there are more legal hurdles to clear.

4. Fault Percentage

There are usually two or more parties involved in a car accident and hence it takes some time to pinpoint liability. Even if you are not at fault, the other party will try to deflect some of the faults on you in order to safeguard their interests. In this case, your car accident attorney will do all that they can to prove you weren’t at fault.

Facing a car accident claim often feels like a long road with no respite. This is where a car accident attorney comes in. They are there to safeguard your interests and help you wherever and however they can.