You have been injured in an accident in California and now you are worried about the road to recovery. How will you pay your bills as they continue to pile up against you? This is an especially important question if the bills need paid now and you worry that the personal injury claim process will take too long. Can you speed up a personal injury claim so that you can recover more quickly?
At Maison Law, we offer representation and resources to victims of many types of accidents throughout California. We understand how overwhelmed you may be feeling after an accident, especially if you have suffered from life-altering injuries. Contact us today for further assistance with your claim and a no-obligation case review.
How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take to Settle or Take to Court?
Every personal injury claim in California is different, which means that there are unique circumstances to consider. No attorney can tell you exactly how long it will take to settle or take your personal injury matters to court.
You may be able to come to a settlement agreement with another party and their insurer in as little as a few months to a few years. If your claim goes to trial as it does in a small percentage of cases, there is a chance that you could be waiting a long time for your financial recovery. How long your case takes will depend on a variety of factors including the severity of the injuries you have sustained, how complex your case is, and how willing it is for the parties to settle.
Tips for Speeding Up a Personal Injury Case
Though some personal injury claims naturally take some time to settle in or out of court, there are some steps that you may be able to take to expedite this process. These include some of the following:
Being Proactive: One of the best things that you can do to speed up your lawsuit is to be proactive. This means that you should always gather any information that can help your claim and provide this information to your attorney. You should also make sure that you always comply with filing deadlines and submit documents on time so that nothing is missed.
Negotiations: If you decide that court is too long of a process with too many complications, settlement negotiations may be the best option for you. Settlement can offer a quick option that saves you time and money instead of going to trial. However, you want to ensure that you receive the fairest settlement amount possible if this is the decision you make regarding your claim.
Mediation: Mediation takes place when a mediator helps both parties reach a settlement. This can be a quick option that helps you reach the best settlement possible.
Filing a Summary Judgment: Filing a motion for summary judgment means that the court can decide the outcome of a case without it going to trial, which can save you time and money. However, it may not be appropriate to do so in all cases depending on the circumstances of your claim.
Hiring an Experienced Lawyer: Hiring an experienced legal advocate is one of the best ways to speed up a lawsuit. This is due to the fact that your attorney will have knowledge regarding what to expect from the legal system, insurance tactics, and how to receive the best settlement for you.
Personal injury claims can be a time-consuming endeavor that you cannot wait around for, depending on the severity of your injuries and the bills that keep piling up. There are always differing opinions regarding liability and the value of a claim. This means that you can look forward to weeks or months of back-and-forth negotiations before you see any financial recovery. Hiring an experienced and dedicated legal advocate can help you achieve the results you need during these difficult times.
Keeping the California Statute of Limitations in Mind
Acting quickly to file a claim is part of being proactive in a personal injury case. In California, a statute of limitations exists that you will need to meet if you want to move forward with a successful claim.
The statute of limitations in California for personal injury claims is two years from the time of your accident or when you first discovered your injuries. If you do not file your claim within two years, your right to bring a claim against another party will expire and you will be barred from bringing a case in the future. It also means that you will need to take care of your bills entirely on your own, which is why it is crucial that you keep these deadlines in mind.
Contact a California Personal Injury Lawyer Today
After a California accident, you may be feeling confused and overwhelmed concerning how you will move forward with a claim. On top of this, you may be concerned about how long it will take to financially recover. It is normal to have a variety of questions after an accident.
At Maison Law, we will stand by your side during one of the most traumatic experiences of your life. We understand how the insurance company may try to take advantage of you and we want to provide you with the resources you need at this time. Please contact our California personal injury lawyers to find out what your claim could be worth and for a no-obligation case consultation.