The short answer is “it depends.”

Some personal injury cases settle quickly and easily. For example, if you suffered only damage to your car and you were not injured, you can probably wrap up the claim in a few months. 

Overall, the length of time it takes to settle a personal injury case depends primarily on three issues:

-Nature of the injuries

-Extent of the injuries

-Duration of the injuries; are the injuries permanent?

These factors can take a long time to play out. Immediately following an accident, the most important thing to do is to seek medical treatment if needed. The more significant your injuries, the longer your treatment will be, and the higher the probability that some of your injuries may be permanent.

Cases don’t typically move towards settlement until all persons involved have finished their medical recovery.

Several fundamental questions can impact the situation.

Who is your attorney? Are they an experienced personal injury attorney or a family law attorney working on an injury case? Are they a personal injury trial attorney? The level of experience in your attorney will be a primary factor.

Look for a personal injury attorney with trial experience. Many law firms advertise that they can get you a “quick settlement” or that they will get you a check as fast as possible. However, a quick settlement does not necessarily equate with a reasonable settlement. Getting immediate compensation may serve you in the short run, but you may end up leaving money on the table. You may need that money for future expenses related to your injuries.

You deserve the best settlement you can get, not the fastest.

Make sure you choose an attorney with personal injury trial experience. They can help you get the compensation you deserve after an accident. Don’t settle for less.