If you’ve recently sustained an injury in a car accident due to no fault of your own, you’re most likely seeking financial compensation to help you deal with the physical, financial, and emotional burdens you’ve incurred. That said, you’re also most likely wondering how long your case will take, and, by extension, how long you’ll have to wait to receive compensation for your damages. In truth, there is no “hard and fast” rule when it comes to the duration of personal injury cases, but a wide range of factors will come into play when it comes to determining how long your case will take. Please continue reading and contact a seasoned NYC personal injury lawyer from the Law Office of Richard M. Kenny to learn more about how long your car accident case may take and how our firm can help.
Factors That Influence How Long a Car Accident Case Can Take
Though a multitude of factors can influence the duration of a given car accident, some of the most important are as follows:
- The severity of your injuries: The more severe your injuries, the greater the extent of medical treatment required and the larger the body of evidence needed to substantiate your damages. Consequently, this can protract the process of negotiating a fair settlement with the insurance company or resorting to litigation, if necessary. Additionally, it may be prudent to defer settlement until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) before settling your case, as this will give you a clearer picture of your future medical needs and expenses.
- How complex your case is: Liability is the legal term for fault or responsibility for the accident. At times, liability is evident and uncontested, such as when one driver blatantly disregards a red light and collides with another driver. Other times, liability is complex and contested, such as when multiple parties are involved in the accident, or when there are conflicting accounts of what happened. The more complicated liability is, the more investigation and evidence you will need to prove your claim, and the more likely you will face resistance from the insurance company or the other parties.
- Whether the insurance company chooses to cooperate: Importantly, the insurance company is not aligned with your interests. The primary objective of the insurance company is to minimize the amount paid for your claim or potentially deny it altogether. The insurance company may use various tactics to delay or reduce your settlement, such as requesting unnecessary information, making lowball offers, disputing liability or damages, or dragging out the process by simply not responding to your questions or demands. Should the insurance company exhibit uncooperative or unreasonable behavior, litigation may be the only viable option for getting you your rightful compensation.
- Your willingness to settle: One of the most important factors that determine how long your car accident case takes is your own willingness to settle. Ultimately, you possess the final decision-making power regarding whether to approve or reject an offer presented by the insurance company. While a willingness to settle for less than the full worth of your case may expedite its resolution, such an approach may not be in your best interest, as you may not be fully compensated. In this case, you and your attorney can take your case to trial and fight for maximum compensation on your behalf, though this will take longer than simply accepting a settlement.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED NEW YORK CITY FIRM
Our entire legal team is dedicated to providing the advice you need and the personalized attention you deserve. If you have been injured due to another party’s negligence, call 866-886-0892 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with a New York City personal injury lawyer. You may be entitled to financial compensation, which can help you on your road to recovery.
