If you have been injured in a car accident, you may wonder how long it will take to settle your case. The answer varies significantly. Where property damage and injuries are minimal, your case can settle in as little as several weeks or months. However, if your property damage is more severe, or your injuries more serious, it can take years before your case is settled.Many people wonder why reaching a settlement can take so long. After all, most accident victims have a strong desire to move past the accident as soon as possible. Below are several reasons why your case may take some time, and why waiting isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
It Takes Time to Gather Evidence
One reason that it takes so long to resolve a car accident case is because of the time needed to gather important evidence. Such evidence may include property damage, repair bills, medical bills, police reports, photographs, and the like. Any attorney working on your case will need to identify parties involved in the accident, parties who own property involved in the accident, as well as potential causes of the accident.
If you file a lawsuit, the initial stage will include the exchange of discovery requests between parties associated with the accident. These discovery requests include questions about the accident and demands for evidence relating to the incident. After discovery comes the deposition stage where your attorney interviews people associated with the accident, including the other driver and any witnesses. The purpose during these stages of a lawsuit are for your attorney to get a clear understanding of all material facts relating to your case.
It Takes Time to Treat Your Injuries
Another reason why your case may take time to settle is because of the time you need to recovery from your injuries. If the other party has caused the accident, they may be liable to pay for the cost of your medical treatment. Therefore, it is wise not to settle a case until you have a good understanding of what your medical treatment will entail.
When recovering from an automobile injury, it is important to remember that some injuries may not manifest immediately, or that the full extent of an injury may not be manifest until some time after the accident. It is also important to note that some injuries require a progression of treatments. For example, your doctor may wish to treat an injury first with physical therapy for a period of time before resorting to surgery. Allowing sufficient time for your medical treatments to run their course is essential to understanding the medical costs associated with your case.
Don’t Settle Your Case Too Soon
In some instances, you may feel pressured to settle your case now. An insurance company may offer what seems a like a fair settlement check long before you have been able to fully gather evidence or determine how much your treatment will cost. Understand that a settlement is generally final; you may not be able to receive compensation for any related medical costs that occur after you have settled.
Get the Help of an Experienced Attorney
If you or a loved one have been harmed in an automobile accident, speak with a skilled Atlanta car accident attorney today. The personal injury attorneys at Goldstein and Hayes, P.C., have years of experience helping personal injury victims navigate the Georgia legal system to hold those responsible for their injuries accountable.
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