If you were hurt in a car crash, watching your expenses pile up while waiting for your settlement is frustrating. You’re not alone. Many injured people in Lancaster also want to know, “Why is my car accident settlement taking so long?”
There are several reasons why you’re waiting to receive a car accident settlement. While there are a few steps you can take to speed things up, it’s important to understand how the process typically works.
Typical Timeline of a Car Accident Lawsuit
Accident settlements can take several weeks, months, or even longer for complicated claims. The following is a general timeline, but it’s not a definitive answer for your personal injury claim. For that, you should talk to an experienced car accident lawyer in Lancaster who can best advise you about your specific situation.
A general timeline for the car accident claims process is:
- Immediately after the crash — Report the accident to police and seek medical care.
- Several weeks — Determine the responsible party and collect evidence.
- Two months — Continue medical treatment, obtain documentation of injuries, and calculate the value of the claim.
- Four months — Submit a detailed claim to the at-fault party’s insurance company.
- Six months — Negotiate a settlement or file a lawsuit if the other side won’t make a fair offer.
- Over six months — Obtain depositions, enter the discovery phase, and begin trial to seek a verdict from a jury or judge.
Factors That Can Affect the Timing of a Car Accident Settlement
Even if your case seems straightforward, several behind-the-scenes factors can slow everything down. If your car accident settlement is taking too long, it’s likely due to one or more of these factors.
Timeframe of Medical Treatment
The more serious your injuries, the longer and more complicated your recovery and treatment will be. If you’re still seeing doctors, undergoing physical therapy, or facing surgery, it’s too soon to know the full cost of your care.
A car accident attorney will likely advise you not to agree to a settlement amount until your treatment is complete or you’ve reached what doctors call “maximum medical improvement” (MMI). MMI is the point at which your condition is unlikely to improve with further treatment. Settling early could mean you end up paying future medical bills out of pocket.
Gathering Evidence and Medical Records
It takes time to obtain medical records. Private practices, hospitals, and clinics can take several weeks or longer to respond to record requests.
In addition to medical records, you need to gather evidence that helps determine who is responsible for the crash — and who pays the bills. Most car accident evidence includes:
- Police accident reports
- Photos or video of the crash
- Black box or digital data from the vehicles
- Witness statements
- Proof of lost wages
Delays and Negotiations from Insurance Companies
Insurance companies are notoriously slow to pay out settlements, particularly higher-value claims. They might drag out the process, hoping you’ll accept a lower settlement offer because you’re tired of waiting. A car accident lawyer can push back against these delay tactics and provide skilled representation in settlement negotiations.
Complexity of the Case
The more complex the crash, the longer it usually takes to settle. Here’s why:
- Disputed fault — It takes time to review the evidence and determine liability if it’s not immediately clear who caused the accident.
- Multiple drivers — If more than two drivers were part of the crash, it may take extra time to determine fault, examine evidence, and negotiate with multiple insurers.
- Commercial vehicles — Accidents involving delivery trucks, 18-wheelers, rideshare vehicles, or company cars add another layer of complexity.
- Government entities — When a crash involves the government, such as a highway department, there are additional processes and rules that add time.
Damages Are Not Yet Clear
If the full scope of your injuries and losses isn’t clear yet, it’s worth waiting a little longer to seek fair compensation. A personal injury lawyer will want to calculate the total financial impact on your current situation and the future. Once you sign a settlement, you cannot go back and ask for more. You want to be sure that the amount you receive can cover:
- Current and future medical needs
- Lost income and decreased earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
The average car accident settlement varies, depending on the severity of your injuries and the specifics of your personal injury case.
Legal and Administrative Procedures
Even after you make a settlement agreement with the insurance company, there are necessary legal and administrative procedures that take place. For example, even just drafting and signing the settlement paperwork takes time.
Can I Speed Up My Car Accident Settlement?
One of the most important steps is to consult a car accident lawyer in Lancaster who can handle the negotiations and other legal matters. There are a few things you can do to help your attorney and prevent unnecessary delays:
- Keep documentation of accident-related correspondence and receipts.
- Follow through on all medical appointments.
- Listen to your attorney, and do not talk to others about your case.
- Respond quickly to your lawyer’s requests.
However, it’s crucial to remember that car accident cases take time. You don’t want to rush the settlement process and end up with less than you need. An experienced personal injury attorney can advise you on a realistic timeline and explain where the holdup may be happening.
Get in Touch with Our Car Accident Lawyer for Help with Your Settlement
David Blackwell Law has helped injured people pursue justice and financial compensation since 2003. If your car accident settlement is taking too long, let us help move it forward. We’ve recovered millions in compensation for our clients, including a six-figure settlement for the victim of a rear-end collision. If the insurance company is giving you excuses instead of the money you deserve, we can help. Here’s what one of our clients shared about their settlement case:
“I tried to handle dealing with the insurance company myself, and got the run around for 9 months. I called David Blackwell Law, and got it settled in about a month. They were very helpful, and kept me informed of what was going on. If I’m ever in another accident, I’m not dealing with the insurance company I’m calling and letting them handle it.” — Chris Catledge
Contact us today for a free consultation with a Lancaster car accident lawyer.
