Succeeding on your personal injury claim can help you recover after an accident by getting financial compensation to cover various costs. Most personal injury cases in Virginia end in settlements. However, involving a lawyer to help with the process is necessary. Most cases take longer than expected due to various factors. You want to know how long your claim will take to settle so you can put everything behind you and continue with life. The following factors determine the duration of resolving personal injury claims in Virginia.
The Complexity of the Case
Some cases take a few months to settle when nothing complex is involved. However, if the case investigation is complex, the claim may take longer, even years, to settle. It includes gathering concrete evidence and putting pieces together to understand the occurrences during the accident. You may need to gather numerous witnesses or file complicated documents. The other party-the defendant- may also refuse to cooperate well. This can delay the process too.
Assessing Injuries and Future Medical Costs
Every personal injury case requires the assessment of injuries. That means the severity of the injuries and the extent they disrupt your life can affect how long the case takes. Your lawyer in Virginia will need to examine your medical records, speak with medical experts, and analyze the extent of the injuries and future medical costs. All these can take time since the lawyer aims to conduct the best assessment to build a strong case. Therefore, it will take longer to settle the case, especially if you have to wait for your medical assessment to see the severity of the injuries.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
If it is apparent that another person is at fault, it means their insurance company will be responsible for compensating you. Some do it without any dispute, while others are reluctant to pay. Some companies may refuse to accept fault to protect their bottom line. If the company is unwilling to pay, it could slow down the entire process. Some companies may also offer low amounts you must fight for and negotiate to ensure you get what you deserve.
If the person at fault is uninsured, you may need to file an uninsured motorist claim with your insurance company. This is another process that takes time to settle. Even if you have been paying premiums to the company, they may still be reluctant to pay you.
Cases Involving Multiple Parties
Sometimes a case may not be straightforward about who injured the other. This mostly happens when several parties are involved. In that case, getting compensation may be complicated and take a long time to settle. Your lawyer will deal with several defendants and lawyers, all with a reason not to pay. Getting the right compensation will be easy if you get a lawyer with sufficient experience handling cases involving multiple parties.
Key Takeaways
There is no specific time when a personal injury claim settles. However, having a reliable lawyer can help collect relevant factors for your case and give an estimate based on the complexity of the case and how things unfold. The above factors affect the duration of your claim. Therefore, it is advisable to start pursuing justice when you know you have a case.