It depends. Every case is different. A case can take days, weeks, months, or even years before it settles or comes to a resolution. Here is an overview of what to expect in your car accident case:
- First, you need to finish your medical treatment or have a good indication of how much medical treatment you will need and how much that treatment will cost. Without complete medical records and bills, it’s difficult to estimate how much your case is worth.
- If you have retained an attorney, your attorney will request and receive all your medical records and medical bills to submit to the insurance company. Your attorney will also verify how much you have lost in wages from your employer because of the accident and your injuries.
- Once your attorney has collected all your medical records, medical bills, and a verification of your lost wages, your attorney will send a settlement demand letter to the insurance carrier of the person who caused the car accident. In this demand your attorney ask for money to make you whole.
- The insurance carrier typically responds within 30 days with an offer but may take longer. Each case is unique and sometimes the insurance company needs more time to evaluate your injuries. Other times they need additional documents to fully analyze your damages.
- After the insurance company has enough information to give an offer to settle, your attorney will negotiate with the insurance carrier to try to increase their offer.
- If you eventually agree to accept the insurance carrier’s offer, your case settles, and your attorney will issue you a check from the settlement proceeds. If you do not accept the insurance carrier’s offer and they refuse to offer any more money, your attorney can file a lawsuit against the person who caused the accident and your damages.
- As soon as your lawsuit is filed, you will be assigned a trial date for approximately 1 to 1.5 years from the date of filing.
- After filing a lawsuit, the insurance company’s offer can always increase and the option to settle is always available after filing a lawsuit.
- Most car accident lawsuits settle before trial, but not always. If you go to trial, the jury will decide how much to award you for all your damages.
These are the basics of what to expect. Because of all the variables involved, it is very difficult to say how long it will take for your case to settle or reach a resolution. Ultimately, all cases are different and vary in length. Contact one of our Pomona personal injury attorneys to get help today.
The above-mentioned is not to be construed as legal advice.
