After filing a personal injury claim, most clients want to know how long it will take until they receive their settlement. While a personal injury lawyer, like from Davis & Brusca, can offer an estimation, he or she cannot give you a detailed timeline. Different factors can affect when you receive your settlement.
The Complexity of the Case
It shouldn’t be any surprise that complex cases take longer to finish. The more complex the case is, the more likely your lawyer will have to spend a long time taking notes on the details of the case and preparing your defense.
If it is a case where negligence is difficult to prove or where there is difficulty proving fault, then it might take longer for the lawyer to prepare a defense. Sometimes, liability is difficult to prove. If there are few witnesses and little evidence, then the defendant may have a strong case against you.
The Amount of the Settlement
If you’re dealing with a high dollar amount, expect the company to fight harder. Insurers want to pay you as little as possible. They will look for every possible way to pay the bare minimum for your injuries. Once the insurer does his or her due diligence, there is a chance that the insurer will choose to settle out of court.
When it comes to high-dollar cases, the insurers will not usually give up unless they know that they do not have a good defense against your claim, that they cannot speak out against your credibility or if your injuries are severe.
The State of Your Current Injuries
If you are still undergoing medical care, it might take longer for you to receive a settlement. While most lawyers will warn you not to wait until you finish your medical care, you do have to keep in mind that if you are still reaching your maximum medical improvement, that your case’s value may increase. If your doctor can estimate how long it will take you to make a recovery or how much money it could take to heal you, then you might be able to make a better estimate of the figure that you deserve.
To file a personal injury claim is the first step to winning compensation. Most lawyers will do their best to try to end the case as soon as possible. However, if you could win a higher award, the lawyer may suggest that you continue to fight for what you deserve.