Many people wonder how long it takes to settle a car crash claim. It is possible to feel overwhelmed by financial stress and physical injuries. You may want to settle your case as soon as possible. You should seek the guidance of a personal injuries attorney before you settle a car accident case. A legal advocate can help you negotiate a fair and equitable settlement.
Continue reading to find out how long it takes for a car crash settlement to be awarded and what you can do after an accident.
What Factors Influence Average Car Accident Settlement Time?
There are many factors that can affect the settlement value of your car accident claim. Understanding the value of your case is an important part of how long it takes for your car accident claim to be settled. Personal injury lawyers are reluctant to give an average value for car accidents settlements. Each case is unique and they are aware of this. After your attorney has reviewed all the facts, they can give you a range value options for your claim.
Severity
The average time it takes to settle a car accident is affected by the severity of an injury. You may need to have more serious injuries treated or assessed before you can reach an accurate settlement amount. You should wait until you have a full assessment of your injuries and are still in treatment.
Liability
Settlement negotiations can stall if the parties disagree on liability or the evidence is not clear. In this instance, the defendant may not be willing to accept blame and will not pay any amount to the victim. They may also claim that you are partially responsible for the accident, and should receive less compensation. Negotiations may be more efficient if the defendant is clearly at fault.
Negotiations
Settlement negotiations are conducted by your personal injury lawyer at various points in your case. These negotiations never end until a settlement has been reached. Sometimes settlement negotiations can take place before a lawsuit is filed. A favorable settlement speeds up the average time it takes to settle a car accident. In some cases, however, the insurance company may not take your claim seriously until you file suit.
How can insurance companies affect the average car accident settlement time?
In almost all cases, you will have to deal with insurance companies after a car accident. In order to force you to accept financial assistance, insurance companies might delay settlement negotiations. They understand that you have bills to pay, and waiting for your compensation may prove difficult.
Your attorney can help you if you’re facing financial hardship while you wait for your settlement. You may find yourself with inadequate funds to care for your family and loved ones if you settle too soon to get your money quicker. An attorney will make it less likely that the insurance company pressures you into settling for a low settlement.
What is the average time it takes for an insurance company to send a settlement check?
After you have reached a fair settlement, you might wonder: How long does it take for the insurance company to send you a settlement check.
Most insurance companies send out checks within 30 days after you have settled. You may not receive your check immediately, however.
The check will usually go first to your trust account. They will pay any claims arising from the settlement, including medical liens that have been established with healthcare providers. They will also pay court costs and attorney fees. After all expenses have been paid, your attorney will mail you a check to cover the rest of your settlement.
This article was written by Alla Tenina. Alla is a top personal injury attorney in Los Angeles, and the founder of Tenina law. She has experience in bankruptcies, real estate planning, and complex tax matters. The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This website contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; the ABA and its members do not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
