If you or your loved ones have suffered injury or property loss after a serious car accident caused by another person, you may be wondering how long it may take to receive compensation for your injuries. This is understandable. After all, you might be facing mounting medical bills, time missed from work, and other costs for which you need financial help.
We get that you don’t want to wait too long for restitution and relief. At Gould Injury Law, also known as “The Fast Firm”, we want to help our clients get solutions to their personal injury cases as fast as possible.
While there is no one-size-fits-all settlement timeline for every car accident since each case is different, there are some general guidelines that personal injury lawyers use to help you to get an idea of how long your case may take. For example, the liability of the other party, the extent of your injuries, and the willingness of the insurance company to cooperate.
We know that you want a lawyer who is thorough and fast, who makes sure that your case is a priority. You can find this sort of attorney at our law firm. Call us today at 888-WIN-FAST or fill out our online form to schedule your free consultation.
Settlements Take Time
First, it’s important to note that there are two different kinds of settlements when it comes to car accident cases. The most common type is an insurance settlement, where the responsible party’s insurance companies pay you for damages that resulted when their client caused your accident. The other type of settlement is a legal settlement in a personal injury lawsuit, which is where the case is resolved without needing to go to trial.
Insurance companies in Connecticut are required to settle their claims with “reasonable promptness”. However, that is not a very specific amount of time. This matter becomes more complicated depending on how many parties and insurance companies are involved, the severity of the injuries, and the efficiency of communication between those involved. You have the right to a swift resolution of your insurance claim, but it can be hard to deal with the insurance ins and outs on your own.
The other kind of settlement, which comes by means of a lawsuit or trial, is a different story altogether. If the responsible party’s insurer fails to pay you what you deserve, you have the right to file a lawsuit against those refusing to pay you the compensation necessary in your case. However, these lawsuits often don’t make it all the way to a full court trial like you see on TV, as they are more commonly settled privately between the legal teams out of court.
No matter which kind of settlement you are seeking, it is recommended to seek the advice of experienced injury lawyers. The road to settlement may seem long and arduous, but having someone by your side who has experienced this process before can help you not to waste any time. “The Fast Firm”, Gould Injury Law, is standing by to answer your questions about your Connecticut car accident.
Why Settlement Times May Vary?
Each case is unique, and so is each and every settlement timeline. While it may seem frustrating not to be immediately reimbursed for expenses and bills that were caused by another person’s actions, successful resolution to car accident cases can take time and patience.
There are numerous situations that can influence the length of your wait time in receiving your settlement, for example:
- Liability is disputed and insurers refuse to pay adequate compensation
- Multiple parties are involved bringing responsibility in doubt
- Claims that medical bills come from pre-existing conditions or were unrelated to the incident
- Refusing to acknowledge property damage, lost wages, or other damages in settlement calculations
These are just a few of many reasons why some car accident settlements, which might have otherwise been resolved fast, may get delayed or require further negotiation and proof.
Another facet of car accident settlements that is different for each victim is which insurance companies are involved. Insurance companies are often bogged down by many claims, and they may drag their feet if they are reluctant to cover your compensation costs. If your case moves on to the trial phase, wait times can be even more sporadic. Waiting for court dates can take substantial time.
However, the good news is that the majority of personal injury cases never see a courtroom and are settled relatively fast, by the insurance companies or private parties, before a trial can even begin. This can be achieved with the assistance of a fast-working lawyer who is determined to work hard and put pressure on the other side, when necessary, to get you the outcome you deserve as soon as possible.
General Settlement Timeframes
While each case is unique and there is no exact answer to the question, “When?” We can give you some idea of what to expect. It’s important to mentally prepare yourself for the fact that your situation might not change tomorrow, or the day after, but to continue to think positively and patiently towards the future.
If your claim involves little or no injury or property damage, you can likely obtain a resolution to your claim within a few weeks or months. The more severe your injuries are, or the more people involved, months start adding up. Even if the insurance company negotiates in good faith, if you have severe injuries, you could be looking at about 6 months before you receive compensation. If you end up taking your case all the way to trial, you are likely looking at a 1-to-3-year wait time before you see your compensation.
It may seem shocking that settlement timeframes stretch from a few weeks to a few years. In the life of the victim of a serious car accident, that is a big difference. That is why it’s vital to choose a law firm who has a history of getting results for their clients – fast.
What to Do to Increase the Speed of Settlement?
You can take steps to reduce your settlement wait time from the very moment your crash happens all the way until court. Your actions play a huge role in your later chances for recovery and financial compensation.
By following these guidelines, you can help to speed up your settlement wait time:
- Report the accident and/or call the police
- Seek medical treatment
- Keep thorough records
- File your insurance claim
- Get an estimate of the property damage
- Avoid claiming any responsibility
- Consult a car accident lawyer
Insurance companies will claim that cooperating fully will expedite your claim time. However, these claims specialists are well-trained to try and diffuse the liability of a car accident onto the other parties, including you. Be on your guard in any conversation you have with an insurance company after your accident.
Your lawyer will be able to help you through these steps one at a time; that’s why it’s a good idea to call Gould Injury Law as soon as you can after your accident. Why take the risk that the insurance company will try to lowball you? We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we don’t get paid unless we recover money on your behalf.
How Connecticut Laws Relate to Car Accident Settlements?
Connecticut has a statute of limitations for personal injury claims made by car accident victims of 2 to 3 years. The variation in time depends on the type of injury and the level of fault involved. This limit is rarely extended, so it is crucial to make sure that your case is filed within the 2-year timeframe.
While 2 years may seem like plenty of time to file a lawsuit against the person responsible for your accident, insurance companies may drag their feet for months or years before you consider filing a lawsuit. All of this time counts towards the 2 years. Spending unnecessary time negotiating with insurance companies can cause you to miss your window of legal opportunity.
Even a short conversation with a Connecticut personal injury lawyer can help you to determine where you are at in the process and what your next steps should be. An experienced car accident lawyer will be familiar with the Connecticut deadlines and processes. Now is not the time to delay – contact Gould Injury Law today.
When You Should Contact “The Fast Firm”
With more than 99,000 car crashes throughout Connecticut in 2021, it may seem daunting to think how long it might take to get the compensation you deserve. At Gould Injury Law, we want you to know that you don’t have to face this situation alone. We want to help expedite this process as much as we can.
At Gould Injury Law, we understand the burden you are feeling, and we want to help you remove it to get your life back on track as soon as possible. Our team of accident lawyers will do everything within our power to accelerate your claim. Don’t hesitate – Get started today!
A capable and compassionate attorney can help you to accelerate your settlement and get you a salutation faster than if you try to do it alone. When Gould Injury Law is on your side, you get the help you need – and fast. Call 888-WIN-FAST today to schedule your free initial consultation.