Charleston Personal Injury Attorney Explains How Long it Takes to Settle a Personal Injury Case
When you’ve been injured in an accident, you’ll probably want to receive compensation for your damages as soon as possible. Once your Charleston personal injury attorney has sent the initial demand letter to the insurance company, it may take several weeks or months before a settlement is reached. It could take even longer to settle the claim if you sustained severe injuries that require long-term medical treatment or there is a dispute regarding who is responsible for the accident.
Factors that Affect the Length of Time to Negotiate a Settlement
The amount of time it takes to resolve a personal injury claim depends on a variety of factors. If the insurance adjuster is handling a high volume of cases, he has more incentive to negotiate and settle the claim fairly quickly, especially if you only had minor injuries and minimal damages. When you submit a police report, medical records, and other documents that validate your claim, it may take less time to reach a fair settlement. Usually, it’s more difficult to negotiate a settlement when the facts related to the accident are complex and need to be investigated further. It could take a long time to get a final offer from the insurance adjuster under the following circumstances:
- Multiple parties may be liable for your injuries;
- You are partially responsible for the accident;
- Management within the insurance company needs to review and grant approval of the settlement offer;
- The insurance company would rather litigate the case than agree to a settlement.
Since the factors that affect the outcome of each case differs, it’s beneficial to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can assist you and provide an estimate of how long it may take to reach a settlement.
Contact a Charleston Personal Injury Attorney
McCarthy, Rowden & Baker is dedicated to protecting the rights of their clients and work aggressively to help them get the compensation they deserve. Schedule a private consultation by calling our law office at 1-800-373-6050. We’ll evaluate your situation and discuss your legal options.