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 lawyer 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
Your injuries and recovery time matter because many lawyers only seek settlements after they know the full extent of your losses. We may only discover the costs of your accident after you reach a point of physical recovery.
The value of your settlement may also impact the time it takes to negotiate with insurance agents. Generally, insurance companies fight harder against settlements that cost them more money as they try to protect their bottom line.
However, generally, settlement negotiations take a few months. Some take several years. We can provide information about your specific situation when you contact us for assistance.
Your Case Will Get
The Attention It Deserves
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
The time it takes to complete the investigation may impact the total length of your claim.
Handle Discovery
We also assist with the discovery process when necessary. During this portion of your case, we may exchange information with the insurance company or review disputed facts about the accident.
Negotiate with Insurance Agents
Negotiation with insurance agents may take a significant amount of time. They can make an offer, and we’ll assess it to see if it covers your losses. Then, we may send back counteroffers. Find out more about this process by reaching out to us.
Discuss Settling Your Personal Injury Claim with Our Team
How long does a personal injury claim take to settle? The timeframe to resolve these claims varies based on factors like the severity of your losses and the amount of compensation you want to secure.
You can discuss the specifics of your situation with a personal injury lawyer from our team at Vaughan & Vaughan. Call or fill out our online contact form to learn more.
