If you have been seriously injured in a collision, your life may be dramatically altered. You may be forced to undergo medical treatments while missing work – and pay – during your recovery from your injuries.
Fortunately, if the accident was caused by someone else’s carelessness or recklessness, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for the injuries you’ve suffered and the costs you’ve incurred. You can do this by filing an injury claim.
At Jim Leach Attorneys at Law, we understand that the facts of your injury case require careful and thoughtful consideration, and we are prepared to provide you with the compassionate legal representation you deserve.
What Affects the Length of a Car Accident Case?
Numerous elements affect how long a car accident case will take to settle. Depending on the complexity of your situation, it may take a few months or even several years to resolve your claim.
The following factors contribute to determining how long a car accident settlement may take:
- Type of injury – Insurance companies are typically very thorough in their assessment of a car accident victim’s injuries and how their supporting documentation demonstrates the symptoms they have and the claim they’ve made. For example, if you have a broken arm and the medical bills reflect costs associated with that type of injury, such as a cast and physical therapy, then the insurance company may pass that type of claim through quicker than a more complex claim. More severe car accidents, such as those that involve injuries to the spine or brain, may take longer to assess.
- Documentation of the accident – Insurance claim adjusters and attorneys use police reports, eyewitness statements, and evidence from the scene of the accident to reconstruct the events that took place moments prior to the accident. If a scene is not thoroughly reviewed, if pictures are not taken or if the vehicles and people involved are removed from the scene before a preliminary investigation can be made, the entire settlement process can be prolonged.
- The legal process – If you have retained an experienced personal injury attorney, they will file the injury claim on your behalf. Time must be allotted for the other side to reply to these documents. Next, the discovery process begins where interrogatories are made, necessary documents are compiled to make your case, and depositions are carried out. This process can be quite lengthy, and can span from around a month to a year or more, depending on the facts of the case. After this stage, parties often reach a settlement before a trial is even necessary.
The type of injury you have, how well the evidence was documented, and the time requirements associated with the legal process all affect how long a car accident case can take to settle. For this reason, it is advantageous for you to have a knowledgeable personal injury attorney in your corner to help explain your options and help you through the process.
Contact Jim Leach Attorneys at Law Now for Help With a Car Crash Claim
If you have been hurt in an accident in West Virginia or Ohio, you need a law firm with the reputation, experience, and resources necessary to make the insurance companies pay for your injury claim. The dedicated team at Jim Leach Attorneys at Law is a serious law firm that takes clients’ cases seriously. We are ready to put our experience to work for you.
Contact Jim Leach Attorneys at Law by phone or online now to schedule a free initial consultation and free case evaluation with our team. Let’s get started now.