If you’ve been involved in an accident, you will probably have several questions running through your mind. One of the crucial questions will be, “How long will it take to settle the injury claim?” If the accident was caused due to someone else’s negligence, it would be best to contact Babcock Injury Lawyers.
Reaching out to professional and experienced attorneys is vital if you want to increase your chances of getting a fair settlement. Each accident and the client’s situation will be different. The case could be settled as soon as possible, or it could take a more extended period. Hiring a personal injury lawyer will ensure the case is resolved quickly.
When it comes to personal injury claims, the most significant factor will be your injuries and the medical treatment you will receive after an accident. If you’ve sustained minor injuries, the case will be settled quickly. If the injuries are severe and you need treatment, the case could take a long time to settle.
But that won’t be the only thing that you will determine how long it will take for you to get a settlement. Here are steps that you will follow when dealing with a personal injury claim.
Seek Medical Treatment
After being injured, the first thing you need to do is seek medical treatment. If the injuries are severe, you will have to go to the emergency room. Of course, it is the best choice if you want to recover as soon as possible. Your overall health should be your top priority. If you choose not to go to a health care center, the insurance company will assume the injuries are not severe or cause the accident.
Find the Right Injury Attorney
After getting the proper medical attention, you need to contact a personal injury attorney. There is a chance that you can settle the injury claim alone, but in most cases, you should not do it. The attorney understands injury law and will help you get the best settlement that is available. Working with an attorney will also allow you to concentrate on recovering instead of pursuing the injury claim. If you’ve suffered severe injuries, you will seek an experienced injury attorney to help you. As soon as you hire the attorney, he or she will start evaluating your situation.
The Lawyer Begins Investigations
The initial thing your attorney will do is speak to you to find out how the accident occurred. Also, you will have to give out personal information, health conditions, and the treatment needed. If you want to increase your chances of winning your claim, the lawyer will have to know everything about the accident and your injuries. Most attorneys will not like lies, so you’ll have to be honest.
Once everything is complete, the attorney will gather your medical records and expenses linked to the accident. Also, they may require other records for treatment that you’ve received related to the injuries. The process can take several months, depending on the nature of the injuries. Once you have the medical record, the attorney will assess them to see if you have a strong claim.
The Lawyer Files the Lawsuit
If needed, the attorney will file the lawsuit. Once the lawsuit has been filed, you will focus on when the case will get to court. Every state in the U.S. will have different regulations when it comes to pretrial. But in most cases, it will take one to two years for an injury claim to get to court. Each state will also have a statute of limitations requiring an injury claim to be filed within a particular time after an accident.
Trial
Most cases will be settled during negotiations, out of court, or through mediation. Yet, if they don’t work, the case will go to trial. The trial can last a week or even longer. The crucial thing to remember is that even if a trial is slated for a particular date, that won’t mean that it will commence on the same date. Trials will often be postponed because of scheduling issues with the judge. If the trial is canceled, don’t panic. There is a reason why they are delayed.
Settlement Will Depend on the Accident
Several factors will influence how long it will take to conclude your injury claim. If you were involved in a minor accident and the injuries aren’t severe, the case will be straightforward, and it will be settled quickly. If you’ve sustained severe injuries, the case could take several years to settle. The best way to make sure the case is settled faster is to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
