How long does it take to settle a car accident lawsuit?

There are many factors that determine the amount of time it will take to resolve a car accident claim. While each case is unique, generally it can take anywhere from several months to a few years for a lawsuit to conclude. The timeframe depends on how complex the case is, the seriousness of your injuries, the number of parties involved and fault for the crash.

Your Charlotte car accident lawyer will evaluate the details of your case and provide a realistic idea of when to expect a resolution. Here are some aspects of the lawsuit process that will impact the amount of time it takes to settle your car accident lawsuit:

• Injuries: An important part of a car accident claim is knowing the extent of your injuries and the medical treatment they require. A settlement cannot be negotiated until you fully recover from your injuries or have a treatment plan for the future. Depending on the nature and severity of your injuries, this may take a long time. Settling too soon could mean that you do not obtain enough compensation to cover all of your long-term medical costs and other accident-related expenses.

• Investigation: Researching all the facts of a car accident claim takes time, including the cause of the crash, who was responsible, vehicle damage and other relevant information. Your car accident lawyer will thoroughly investigate your case, along with gathering evidence and witness statements.

• Settlement: Many car accident lawsuits are settled out of court. However, if the insurance company denies your claim, the case could take longer to resolve. If your car accident attorney is unable to negotiate a full and fair settlement with the insurance company, the case will go to trial.

• Trial: The length of a car accident trial depends on the amount of evidence each side presents. While there are many factors that can increase the amount of time necessary to resolve a car accident lawsuit, going to trial is likely to be a time-consuming process.