As unexpected as they are, auto accidents can seriously leave a mark on everyone’s life. Not only can they be accompanied by injuries, but they also bring psychological trauma as well as repairs and expenses that can be prohibitive.
Due to the injuries, you may be unable to work which further complicates the situation. Therefore, we all want to be compensated as quickly as possible. Luckily, almost all cases are resolved without the need to go to court. However, the time of settlement can vary.
In this article, we’ll talk about how long it takes to receive your car accident settlements. In addition, you will learn which factors affect the duration of the process, and how to speed up the situation. Keep reading, and find out more.
Contents
How does the settlement process go
As soon as you get into an accident, you have to firstly focus on your health and getting better. In addition, you should do your best in providing aid to the other person normally if you can. However, after getting medical and becoming better, it is time to speak with your lawyer and file for a settlement.
You should consult with your lawyer and let them know what happened and what you intend to do next. That way, they will prepare all the documentation and get to collect the evidence needed to file for the settlement.
When you finish your treatment and the insurance company receives your medical evaluation and property damages, you will receive initial offers. What is up to you is to decide whether you will accept the offer, or negotiate with the help of your attorney.
Most of the time, insurance firms are trying to decrease the grant you deserve by manipulating you to accept a fault on your end. For that reason, you need a law representative who will do their best to get the settlement you deserve without being cut short.
How long do you have to wait for the settlement?
Even after collecting all of the evidence and billings from the hospital, your lawyer cannot tell you the exact time you’ll have to wait to receive the compensation. The settlement process is filled with unexpected occurrences that are affecting the length.
According to www.832law.com, depending on the case and evidence collected, you can expect this process to take an average of 9 months to a year and a half. However, if there are certain complications, the case can last more than two years. For that reason, be sure to have a strong lawyer team with you to be sure you get the deserved compensation, and that the process does not get prolonged.
Source: missionlegalcenter.com
Factors that affect the longevity of the process
As mentioned above, the settlement process is not the same for every case. Some factors are affecting longevity, and we’ll go through them in detail.
Acceptance of responsibility
The first thing that can significantly slow this process is the acceptance of responsibility. For example, if you get involved in an accident that was caused by somebody else, you would want them to admit their action.
This can be difficult since they will be trying to get out of the mess they caused and say it’s not their fault. However, if you cannot do a deal on your own, you can simply call the police and let them resolve the case properly. When they report who caused the accident, the case can go further.
In case both sides share the responsibility for the accident, the insurance firms are calculating the damages and everything gets settled. If this happens, you need to know you will not receive a large sum in settlements. Accepting liability is the part that is the slowest and impacts longevity the most.
Statements of the witnesses
Another thing that takes lots of time is getting statements out of the witnesses of the accident. If there are lots of people who saw what happened, you should get their information so you can contact them if needed.
Letting everyone give a statement is a process that takes a couple of months since it can be extremely difficult to coordinate this process properly.
Source: niyazovlawgroup.com
Time to recover from the injuries
If you’ve suffered from injuries due to the accident, you have to be completely recovered and need no further treatment. This is because the hospital needs to give the exact amount you have spent for treatment so you can give it to the insurance firm.
The bills for the medical are great determinants to know how much you should seek from the insurance to cover the expenses and get compensated properly. However, depending on the severity of the damages, this process can last from one day to a couple of months or even years, so bear that in mind.
The behavior of the insurance firm
Even after providing all the documentation and billings, the process still does not end. This is the time when the insurance firm is trying to offer the lowest amount of settlement possible. That way, you will not be satisfied, and you will continue demanding the number you deserve. Until you reach an agreement, the process will be constantly delayed.
How to speed things up
After learning what are some of the factors that are affecting the time this process takes, it is also important to understand how to speed everything up.
The first thing you want to do is have a great law representative that is experienced in this field. Their expertise is helpful since they know where can this process get stuck, and try to prevent it. In addition, you will be sure that you’ll receive the right compensation, and reduce additional stresses.
In addition, the lawyers know exactly which documents you need for this case and they will provide them on time. By collecting every piece of evidence, they will also contribute to getting higher compensation.
You should be quick to visit a doctor and be medically evaluated on time. This prevents certain injuries to be left unnoticed. That way, you are being sure about your health by receiving needed treatment, and will also get all the injuries in the report which increase the compensation. Also, as fast as you get evaluated that much the settlement process will be quicker.
Source: florinroebig.com
Should you rush the process?
However, the question that remains is whether you should rush the process. Bear in mind that if you opt for the first offer the insurance offers will be the lowest compensation you’ll receive. In case you have not finished with your treatment, the settlement may not be enough to cover the medical expenses.
For that reason, be sure to take everything with time. Let your attorney guide you throughout the process, and consult with them on everything that interests you. That is the only way on achieving great results and proper compensation for the situation you have been in.
