Many personal injury victims are eager to reach a settlement so they can pay off their medical bills and close this chapter of their lives. However, it’s important to understand that personal injury claims are not resolved overnight. The amount of time it takes to resolve your personal injury claim can vary depending on a number of factors, including:
Liability
The at-fault party’s insurance company will not make an offer until they are certain that their policyholder is partially or completely to blame for the accident. If liability is hard to prove, it could take much longer to resolve your case.
For example, it is difficult to prove liability in a defective product or medical malpractice case. You will need to work with expert witnesses to prove liability in these cases. The witnesses will need time to review the details of the case, conduct their own investigation, and reach conclusions based on the evidence. Each of these steps takes time, so you may need to wait a while to resolve your claim.
The Value of the Case
The higher the value of the case, the longer it typically takes to resolve. Why? Insurance companies will not hand over a six- or seven-figure check without investigating every detail of your claim. During this investigation, the insurer will look for opportunities to lower the value of your claim or reject it altogether. The investigation takes time, and arguing over the details will take even longer.
Furthermore, the insurance company may purposely drag the claim out as long as possible in an effort to get the victim to give up and accept a low offer. Insurance companies know that most injured victims are eager to recover compensation and they use this to their advantage in high-value cases.
Maximum Medical Improvement
You should never settle a claim until you have reached maximum medical improvement, which means your condition is not expected to improve any further. Why? There’s no way to know the value of your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering until you have reached this point. The longer it takes you to reach maximum medical improvement, the longer it will take you to resolve your claim. If you sustained severe injuries, it could take months or even over a year to reach maximum medical improvement. For this reason, it typically takes longer to resolve personal injury claims that involve severe injuries.
Have you been injured? If so, seek legal representation from skilled personal injury attorney Martin Gasparian at once. Mr. Gasparian will work around the clock to ensure you are able to recover compensation for your injuries as quickly as possible. Schedule a free consultation regarding your case by calling 559-203-3333 or submitting your information at MaisonLaw.com.
