You may choose to file a personal injury claim after an accident in Indiana leaves you with injuries and financial losses. In this situation, many people wonder: how long does a personal injury claim take to settle? The time to resolve your claim will vary based on the severity of your injuries and other factors. Many people settle in a few months. However, insurance companies can drag the process out for more than a year in some situations. Find out more about the timeline for your claim with an Indianapolis personal injury attorney from our team at Vaughan & Vaughan. Call or fill out our online contact form to learn more.
How Long Will It Take to Settle Your Personal Injury Case?
Every personal injury claim takes a different amount of time to settle due to the unique factors surrounding each claim. Factors that can impact settlement time include:- The extent of your injuries
- The time it will take you to recover
- The amount of money you want in the settlement
When Should You Start Trying to Settle Your Claim?
Contacting a lawyer quickly after an accident is essential to discuss your legal options and the settlement process. Getting immediate help allows your lawyer to collect evidence and speak with witnesses before they forget what happened. Prompt legal help can also help you avoid common mistakes that could negatively affect your request for compensation. For example, insurance agents may try to get you to accept an immediate settlement if you don’t have a lawyer. These fast settlements generally do not cover all the losses associated with an accident. We recommend hiring a lawyer and allowing them to review the deal before you sign any papers to ensure you can seek fair damages.Can You Wait to Begin the Settlement Process?
It’s essential to begin the legal process to seek compensation before Indiana’s statute of limitations expires. Generally, you have two years to file a claim for damages. If you wait too long, the court can dismiss your case. Therefore, we recommend that you contact an attorney quickly. Our team at Vaughan& Vaughan can track all your deadlines and keep your case moving. Additionally, the longer you wait to start your claim, the longer you’ll have to wait to get damages, as you still have to go through the negotiation process once you file your claim.Can You Get Compensation More Quickly with a Lawsuit?
Some individuals seek compensation with a personal injury lawsuit instead of an insurance claim in Indiana. Your attorney may advise you to file a lawsuit, depending on the facts surrounding your claim and the insurance company's actions. However, lawsuits generally take more time to resolve than insurance settlements. Additionally, you may have to pay court fees if you file a lawsuit for compensation. You can discuss the intricacies of this legal option with your attorney.Why do Personal Injury Claims Take Time to Resolve?
Personal injury cases may take a significant amount of time to resolve because they involve a number of complex legal steps. In order to resolve your claim, your attorney may need to:Investigate What Happened
Your attorney will have to collect evidence to build your claim in order to bring you compensation. We may need to:- Hold interviews with eyewitnesses
- Request a copy of your police accident report
- Visit the scene of the accident
- Go over all your medical records
- Contact and work with expert witnesses