Victims of accidents caused by another person or entity's negligence may be left with severe injuries, costly property damages, insurmountable medical debt, and other losses.
So it's no wonder that “How long will my case take?” is one of the first questions most people ask when consulting a personal injury attorney.
Unfortunately, there's not a simple answer to this question, as various factors influence case length, and can be as different as the cases themselves.
Elements that affect how long it takes to resolve a personal injury case can include:
- Accident liability or cause of injuries is in question
- The case involves significant injuries and losses and consequently, substantial damages
- The length of time that the injured party undergoes treatment
- An accident victim hasn't reached the point of maximum medical improvement (MMI)
How quickly a case concludes is also affected by whether the injured party chooses to settle the case out of court or take it all the way to trial. Most personal injury plaintiffs opt to settle out of court, which allows for a faster financial recovery.
It's essential for personal injury plaintiffs to wait until they've reached MMI before accepting a settlement offer. This means their condition and prognosis are understood, and the injuries have healed as much as they're expected to, according to medical experts. Settlements are final, and victims who settle before reaching MMI may miss out on receiving a financial recovery that fully covers ongoing accident-related medical issues.
Settling may allow plaintiffs to resolve their cases more quickly. But sometimes, going to trial may be necessary in order to secure a fair award for damages. Personal injury plaintiffs often receive more money in cases determined by judges and juries than what's traditionally offered in out-of-court settlements.
Get the Experienced Legal Help You Deserve
Negligence-related incidents can deal harsh physical and financial blows to people. If you were hurt in an accident that wasn't your fault, you might be entitled to extensive damages and, as a result, be bombarded with short settlement offers.
Don't accept less than you deserve. The savvy personal injury attorneys with Rechtman & Spevak can help you understand your rights and options, and determine whether accepting the settlement offers you receive are in your best interest. Contact us today to request an appointment for a free case consultation.
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