How Long Does a Personal Injury Settlement Take?

Personal injury settlements typically take several months. That said, some cases can be longer or shorter, depending on the situation at hand. If you’ve been hurt in a truck collision, car accident, or another incident caused by the careless actions of another person, you’ll want to meet with an attorney.

A Raleigh personal injury lawyer can give a more accurate estimate of how long your case should take and pursue the settlement you need to make a full recovery. Let’s take a closer look at the steps involved in obtaining a personal injury settlement and how they can impact the length of your case.

Your Injuries Can Impact How Long it Takes to Get a Personal Injury Settlement

The type and severity of injury you’ve sustained in the accidents is one of the main factors that will determine how long your case takes. For example, if you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury that requires extensive treatment to stabilize and manage, it will take longer for you to get started on our case.

Severe injuries can also delay injury cases because it’s often wise to wait until you’ve received all the medical treatment you need so your attorney knows how much compensation to pursue from the insurance company. Overall, more complicated injuries require more work on the part of your lawyer. 

It may take longer for your Raleigh catastrophic injury lawyer to obtain a settlement if you’ve suffered one of the following serious conditions:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Spinal cord injury
• Severe burns
• Amputation
• Multiple fractures
• Internal organ damage
• Paralysis
• Loss of vision or hearing
• Severe nerve damage
• Crush injury

Your Injuries Can Affect How Long it Takes to Get a Personal Injury Settlement

If you’ve been injured in an accident and are wondering how long a personal injury case should take to settle, you’ll want to consider the complexity of your case. If you were rear-ended by a careless driver and you have camera footage and witness testimony to prove it, odds are it won’t take very long for you to receive a settlement.

On the other hand, if you were hurt in a slip and fall accident in a private residence where there weren’t any security cameras or other people who saw you fall, it might take longer for your Raleigh slip and fall accident lawyer to build a robust claim.

How the Insurance Company Can Delay Your Settlement

When determining how long a personal injury settlement takes, you’ll also want to factor in the insurance company that you’ve filed a claim with. Unfortunately, many insurers are more focused on increasing their profits and protecting their bottom line than helping accident victims get the financial support they’re owed.

If the insurer rejects your claim or offers a settlement that doesn’t meet your needs, your case will take longer because your attorney will have to work with the provider to get the results you deserve. Luckily, an experienced lawyer will likely be able to get the insurer to increase their offer.

Certain Damages Can Make Your Personal Injury Case Take Longer

If you’ve been in a car accident and only need compensation for a few inexpensive medical bills and minor vehicle damage, your case probably won’t take very long to settle. However, if you’ve suffered serious injuries and need compensation for extensive medical treatment, lost income, and physical pain, your claim may take much longer.

Fortunately, no matter how much compensation you need to recover from your accident fully, you can count on a dedicated attorney to pursue a settlement that contains the following damages:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Vehicle repair cost
• Decreased earning ability
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?

While it’s important to find out how long your personal injury settlement will take, it’s also wise to determine how long you have to take legal action for your injuries and losses. Under G.S. §1-52, you have three years from the date of your incident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.

If you fail to act within his strict time frame, you could lose your right to pursue compensation. Instead of putting your financial and physical recovery in jeopardy, you’ll want to reach out to an attorney as soon after your accident as possible. The right lawyer for you will be able to get your suit filed well before North Carolina’s filing deadline. 

Take the First Step Toward Your Personal Injury Settlement

Recuperating from a serious auto accident or slip and fall incident can be incredibly difficult, especially if you’re dealing with a painful injury that has stopped you from going to work. The good news is that the team at Whitley Law Firm is here to pursue comprehensive compensation for your injuries and losses.

Our firm has 90 years of combined experience and has obtained life-changing results for injury victims like yourself. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how long a personal injury settlement takes. We look forward to hearing from you soon.