People who have been injured because of another person’s negligence may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages by filing a personal injury lawsuit. But some people who may be entitled to this compensation choose not to pursue legal action against the negligent party. Why? Because of the belief that personal injury cases will drag on and on. But how long does it really take to reach a personal injury settlement? Well, it depends.
What factors can delay your case?
An attorney will not know the total value of your personal injury claim until you have either fully recovered from your injuries or reached the point of maximum medical improvement, which means that while you are not back to the state you were in prior to the injury, no further improvements are expected. Personal injury cases are often delayed as the attorney waits for you to complete treatment so he can accurately estimate how much compensation you should ask for to cover your current and future medical expenses.
If your attorney has asked for a large settlement, the case will likely take longer to complete. Insurance companies will not simply sign a check for the full amount you request. They will have to do their due diligence to confirm who is liable for the injuries, investigate the extent of your injuries, and look into your credibility. This can take months to complete, and many insurance companies will purposely try to draw out this part of the case in an attempt to get you to give up and accept a lower offer.
Personal injury cases can also be delayed if the insurance company is questioning whether their policyholder is truly at fault. Attorneys will often have to call upon reliable witnesses, accident reconstruction specialists, and subject-matter experts to prove liability in these situations.
How can you speed up the process?
Attorneys can drastically shorten the time it takes to reach a personal injury settlement, but it means accepting a lower settlement than what you may be able to get if you continue the negotiations. It’s never recommended that you agree to a low settlement just to close the book on your case, so try to be patient as your attorney continues to fight on your behalf.
Every case is unique, so it’s difficult to put a timeframe on when you will be able to reach a settlement. It’s important to note that you should never trust a law firm that promises you a case will be settled in a certain number of days. These law firms are only interested in settling quickly and moving on to the next client, so they should not be trusted with your case.
Don’t let your fear of a drawn out personal injury case stop you from pursuing the compensation you deserve. If you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, speak at once with an experienced personal injury attorney in Georgia. Contact Frank Harris today by sending an email to info@FrankHarrisLaw.com or visiting our website at www.FrankHarrisLaw.com. If you’d prefer to speak to someone over the phone, call our offices at 678-483-8655.