How Long Does a Car Accident Case Last (Generally)?
In the wake of a car accident, it’s likely you’ll have a range of questions and concerns. A lot of these questions will be related to the case timeline, and you may be concerned that bringing a case may take too long. To know all about how long car accident cases generally last, read through the following sections.
Call 1-800-HURT-511 if you’re looking to speak with the best car accident lawyers in Bushwick. For more than a decade, the car accident lawyers we work with have been helping car accident victims and their families secure fair compensation. We’ll fight for you to ensure you get what you’re owed.
When to Seek Medical Care Following a Car Accident?
To bring a case following a car accident, you need to seek medical attention first. After all, if you don’t know the extent of your injuries, how will you be able to sue for fair compensation later on?
You may be badly injured immediately following the accident, and in this instance it’s likely you’ll be transported to a local hospital via ambulance. If your injuries don’t require immediate attention, you can get medical attention shortly after the accident, though you shouldn’t wait too long. In any case, you should not avoid seeking medical attention, as if you do you may preclude yourself from seeking compensation later on.
The extent of your injuries will play a significant role in determining how long the overall case takes to resolve. If you’ve sustained significant injuries, you’ll need more time for recovery, which will elongate the process. Moreover, most car accident lawyers begin seeking a settlement only after their client has fully recovered, for you’ll only know the true cost of recovery once you’ve reached that point. Below are some medical expenses associated with car accidents:
- Treatments
- Prescriptions
- Rehabilitation costs
- Long-term care
How Receiving Medical Care Affects the Timeline?
It generally takes around 30 days to get all relevant medical documents and bills following a car accident. However, if a medical narrative report is required, it may take several weeks or months for this to be completed.
This is a special medical report that details injuries sustained, and it’ll put forth a prognosis too. If you are permanently or partially disabled because of accident-related injuries, these injuries will be detailed in this report. Car accident victims that undergo surgery following an accident usually need these reports. It can take several weeks or months to form one of these reports, and the time it takes to create one of these reports is influenced by the type and severity of injuries sustained as well as the doctor’s availability.
How Long Does It Take To Gather Evidence for a Car Accident Case?
Evidence gathering is a crucial part of the process. After all, you’ll need to satisfy the burden of proof and show that the car accident was not your fault to be fairly compensated. Evidence gathering may be lengthy or quick. Again, this process is largely determined by how complicated the case is. For example, a simple rear-end collision involving two drivers won’t require as much evidence gathering as a highway accident that involves multiple drivers, commercial trucking companies, and other entities.
It’s at this stage where having a car accident lawyer is essential. They will know which evidence is crucial and they’ll know how to get it. And if they have preexisting relationships with hospitals, courts, police departments, and other entities that are involved in your case, the evidence gathering process may be expedited substantially.
What Types of Evidence Are Used in Car Accident Cases?
Car accident cases usually make use of different kinds of evidence, though certain kinds of evidence are pillars of car accident cases, including:
- Medical records
- Police reports
- Vehicle damage reports
- Eyewitness testimony
- Expert witness testimony
- Traffic camera video evidence
How Long Does It Take to Reach a Car Accident Settlement?
The time it takes to negotiate with your insurance provider depends on a variety of factors. Usually, it takes an insurance provider 30 days to evaluate a claim, and once they are through with their evaluation, they will respond to your settlement demand letter with a counteroffer. And just like a demand letter asks for a higher compensation figure, they will probably lowball you in their initial offer. This is why you should never accept the first offer, no matter how attractive it seems. It may take weeks or months to reach a settlement, or it could be that a settlement is never reached out of court.
How Long Does It Take To Receive a Car Accident Settlement?
Once a settlement is reached, and all necessary paperwork has been signed, your insurance provider will release your settlement to your attorney. When your attorney receives it, they will cover their fees and other related expenses. The remainder will then be sent to you, and it should only take a couple of days to receive your check or direct deposit.
What Happens if a Car Accident Claim Goes to Court?
Going to court is likely to elongate the process significantly, perhaps even by a year or so. This is because other lengthy processes are involved when a claim goes to court. For this reason amongst others, most claims are settled out of court. Your attorney will only go to court if this is absolutely necessary.
Will Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer Make a Case Go Quicker?
Having a skilled and experienced car accident lawyer spearhead the case can expedite the process substantially. A lawyer will not waste any time getting things in motion, and while they are working on your behalf, you’ll be able to focus on recovery. If you had to do all the strenuous work that’s required of them, this would probably make the overall process longer. And if a lawyer is reputable and known to be a hard negotiator, your insurance company may not bother with playing hardball and just give you a fair settlement figure right away.
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Call 1-800-HURT-511 now, as time is running out.