Did you know that there are over 6 million car accidents each year? Many of these accidents involve lasting injuries, as well.
It’s not uncommon for people who are injured in a car accident to seek compensation. This is something that you can achieve by working with a car accident lawyer.
However, not everybody understands how long it takes to resolve a car accident settlement. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know.
What Factors Contribute to the Length of Time?
As you might guess, there are numerous factors at play that determine how long a car accident settlement will take. Having a strong understanding of these will allow you to better predict how much time you will need to wait to receive compensation.
Listed below are some of the most notable factors.
Witness Accounts
These can play a large role in helping to determine fault in an accident, so having accurate accounts is important. If there were any witnesses that can attest to the facts, they may be able to provide valuable testimony that could help support your claim.
Having multiple witnesses will cause the case to take longer.
Procedures of the Insurance Company
The procedures used by the insurance company when handling claims can affect how long it takes to arrive at a settlement agreement. It’s important to understand the particular policies and procedures of your insurance company that may apply.
Insurance companies can be unpredictable, so the extra time they vary from case to case.
The Complexity of the Case
The more complex the claim, the longer it will take to resolve.
If there were multiple parties involved or if fault is unclear, it could drag out the negotiation process significantly. In contrast, simple cases are much easier to handle.
The Type of Settlement Offered
The type of settlement that is being offered plays a role in the length of time as well.
If you are looking for a more comprehensive and larger compensation package, then it could take longer to negotiate. Keep this in mind moving forward.
The Questioning of Liability
If there is any question regarding who was at fault for the accident, then it can take significantly longer to reach a settlement. In some cases, if liability cannot be established, a court trial may be necessary and this could add months or even years to the process.
This could easily add weeks or even months to the overall time you have to wait.
What Can You Do to Help Expedite the Process?
If you want to speed up the process of reaching a car accident settlement, then there are a few things that you can do. This includes ensuring that all paperwork is filed correctly and promptly, getting copies of any pertinent documents or records, and providing detailed accounts of what occurred during the accident.
Additionally, it’s also important to be patient, as negotiating with insurance companies can take some time.
So, How Long Will My Car Accident Settlement Take?
On average, you can likely expect to wait around six weeks to receive your settlement.
However, it may take years in some cases depending on the factors above. It’s important to work with a lawyer who has experience in car accident cases so that they can provide sound advice and guide you through the process.
What Should I Look For in a Car Accidents Lawyer?
Not all attorneys are created equal. That’s why it is so important to focus on research when you are looking to hire a car accident lawyer in Houston, Texas.
Let’s explore some of the most notable attributes you need to consider.
How Experienced Are They?
Experience is always a key factor to consider when it comes to finding the right lawyer. You want someone who has successfully handled car accident cases in the past and can demonstrate their expertise. Working with a less experienced attorney is not guaranteed to give people results.
However, will be much less likely to get the outcome you desire if you don’t work with someone who was well-established in the industry.
Do They Have Good Knowledge of Applicable Laws?
Your attorney should be very familiar with all relevant local, state, and federal laws related to car accidents.
This includes matters of liability, negligence, compensation, and more. The more knowledgeable they are, the more likely it is they can find details in your favor so they can help you get the compensation you deserve.
In context, this means that you should work with an attorney who specializes in car accident settlements. Interestingly, many people overlook just how important this is.
To clarify, let’s assume you are considering an attorney who has 30 years of experience in law. However, they don’t focus on or specialize in car accident cases.
You would be better off working with an attorney who has less overall experience but specializes in your type of case.
What Kind of Support Do They Offer?
You want to be sure that your lawyer is willing to provide the necessary level of support throughout the process. From researching relevant case law to filing paperwork on time, you need someone who will go above and beyond to ensure that your case is properly handled.
This is especially important during complex cases. Cases that have a large number of nuances and details require extra support in order to come out on top.
Somebody who does the bare minimum is not likely to be successful.
Do They Have a Good Reputation?
It’s always a good idea to check the reputation of any attorney you are considering hiring. Read reviews from former clients, speak with other lawyers in the area, and inquire about their experience working with them. A good lawyer will have a solid track record of positive feedback from clients.
Fortunately, taking a look at past online reviews is a straightforward way to handle this obligation. Keep an eye out for certain keywords, such as timeliness, success rate, etc.
This will provide valuable insight into what you can expect from hiring them.
Will They Be the Person Handling Your Case?
You want to hire a lawyer who will be personally involved in the case from start to finish. Be sure to inquire about this before signing a contract, as some firms may assign your case to another attorney or paralegal.
This is a situation you want to avoid for two primary reasons.
First, you wouldn’t have gotten a chance to get to know the actual attorney who will handle your case. Second, the attorney who works for you might not be as experienced as the one that you initially met.
This could cause you to get results that fall below your expectations.
Do You Feel Comfortable Communicating With Them?
When selecting a lawyer, you should also make sure that you feel comfortable communicating with them.
Otherwise, you may have trouble conveying the relevant details about your case. If you don’t feel completely comfortable with a prospective attorney, it’s in your best interest to consider other options instead.
How Do They Bill Their Clients?
Most car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they dont get paid unless you win your case.
They will agree to take a percentage of the final settlement as payment for their services. In context, this is often a percentage of the compensation that you receive from the other party. It’s important to inquire about their fee structure prior to signing any agreement.
Be sure to understand how their billing works and what is included in the final costs. Additionally, you may also need to pay for other out-of-pocket expenses such as filing fees or expert witness fees.
Make sure to fully understand the terms of payment before hiring a lawyer so that there are no surprises during the process.
Are They Easy to Get in Touch With?
It’s important that you can easily contact your lawyer when needed.
Make sure to ask about their typical response time and how best to reach them. You should feel comfortable knowing that they will be available and responsive in a timely manner.
The last thing you want is to require their support would be unable to contact them. This could easily serve to add an unnecessary amount of stress to an already stressful situation.
There Are Steps You Can Take to Expedite Your Settlement
As long as you work with the right car accident lawyer, will be sure to get the best results possible and get your compensation in a timely manner. Just be sure you keep the above information in mind so that you can find the professional who is right for you.
Want to learn more about how we can help? Feel free to get in touch with us today to see what we can do.