Personal injury claims are essential to providing the legal pathways injured victims need in order to pursue justice and financial compensation for damages they incur as the result of another’s negligent or careless actions. While these legal pathways are in place, there is never a guarantee for how any case can be expected to play out or resolve. This is because every case, accident, and injury is unique.
At the Law Offices of Vic Feazell, P.C., we field many questions from victims, families, and prospective clients about the personal injury claim process. Do I have a case? How much is it worth? How long will it take? Questions regarding the length of a personal injury case are among the most common we receive, and they are legitimate questions. Anyone will want to know how long something is expected to last when setting out on an endeavor such as the legal journey involved in these cases. Unfortunately, as with many things in the legal realm, a definite answer is hard to come by. In short, it really depends.
The unique facts and circumstances of your accident and the aftermath will always impact the trajectory of a case and the length of time before it can be resolved. First and foremost, you should understand that personal injury cases are typically not quick matters. Any case that settles quickly likely did so without an attorney and at the early suggesting of an insurance company, and quick settlements often don’t provide what is fully needed by victims.
To gain a better understanding of the circumstances that play a role in the length of your case, consider the following:
- The nature of your injury – The nature of your injury or injuries is a critical factor in your case. It often takes time to understand the full scope of your injury, available treatment options, and how the injury may impact your life. In some cases, the underlying cause of pain or other manifestations of an injury may not be fully known without exploration and extensive testing. Even when an injury is diagnosed, it takes time to heal. It is important to consider your injury, its impact on your life, and whether it will have an impact on your future (such as limitations or impairment), in order to resolve a case and secure the full amount of compensation you deserve and may need moving forward.
- Your medical treatment – Medical treatment is also a factor in the length of a case. You want to ensure that you receive all the treatment you need to make a full recovery, or at least to recover as much as you can. This is because if you settle early, you might not yet be fully recovered, and will be on the hook for paying for your own medical treatment should you still experience pain or problems in the future. By ensuring you get all the treatment you need, you can not only make a better recovery, but also recover the full costs of the treatment from the at-fault party. Again, all injuries are different, and some may take much longer to heal than others, if they every fully heal.
- How the insurance company responds – In addition to your injuries and the medical treatment you require, the length of a case can be affected by how an insurance company chooses to handle a claim. While most personal injury cases are resolved through settlement prior to trial, others are not. When insurance companies don’t offer a fair settlement or choose to dispute liability or other facts of a case, it may mean that a case will need to be litigated, which can lengthen the process.
It is important to understand that your wellbeing and medical treatment is paramount in your case. By settling as quickly as you can, you simply don’t know the full scope of an injury, how it will respond to treatment, and how it will impact your life or the lives of your loved ones. When you take the time to treat and recover while our attorneys focus on the legal matters involved, you can put yourself in position to recover the amount of compensation you truly need.
Our legal team at the Law Offices of Vic Feazell, P.C. has earned national recognition for our record of success and for being bold and fearless advocates for our clients. If you would like to discuss a potential personal injury case and ask questions about your rights or the legal process, our attorneys are standing by to help. Contact us today to get started with a free consultation.