It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months or years to settle a car accident claim. Many factors can impact the exact time, including the severity of your injuries and the quality of evidence. With the help of our experienced car accident lawyer, you can navigate the legal process more quickly and potentially access compensation faster than you would on your own.
Circumstances That Can Impact How Long It Takes To Settle a Car Accident Claim
The time required to settle a car accident claim can vary based on several circumstances:
- Severity of injuries and damages. Claims involving minor injuries and minimal damages typically resolve faster than those with severe injuries or extensive property damage. Serious injuries might require lengthy medical treatments, taking longer to ascertain the total cost of care.
- Clarity of fault. When determining fault is straightforward, it can expedite the legal process. However, when cases involve fault disputes or multiple liable parties, it can impact the investigation time.
- Insurance companies. The responsiveness and policies of the involved insurers can significantly impact the timeline. Some might quickly assess and pay claims, while others may respond contentiously.
- Negotiations process. Disagreements over the amount of compensation will prolong negotiations. In cases with substantial damages, insurers commonly try to diminish their responsibility.
- Legal proceedings. The claim might progress to litigation if the parties cannot reach a settlement agreement. The court process, including discovery, potential trial and possible appeals, can extend the resolution time considerably.
The details of your case will affect how long it takes to settle or even whether receiving an award is possible without going to trial. Our car accident attorney will help you understand your options in an initial consultation.
How Our Car Accident Attorney Can Help Speed Up the Process
Our role as your legal representation is to protect your rights under civil law and help you make informed decisions. Once we agree to work together, we investigate the accident to find evidence of negligence and identify the recoverable losses from your injuries and property damages. This sometimes requires the assistance of accident reconstructionists or medical professionals.
We also handle all the tedious elements of building a solid personal injury claim. For example, we speak to the insurance company for you, representing your best interests in negotiations for a settlement. Our job is to ensure you have a strong foundation of evidence to leverage for fast and fair compensation. We also understand the devastation these accidents can cause and offer compassionate support while you heal physically, emotionally and financially.
Evidence You Need to Strengthen Your Claim
To strengthen a car accident claim and expedite settlement, presenting comprehensive evidence upfront is essential. Consider critical pieces of evidence we would use:
- Police reports provide details about the accident collected immediately after and offer an objective account that often indicates which party was at fault.
- Photographs and videos from the crash can show the damage to all vehicles involved, the positions of the cars, skid marks, road signs and even the visible injuries.
- Witness statements can provide an unbiased account of the accident and corroborate your version of events.
- Medical records and bills show the nature and extent of your injuries and provide a precise cost associated with treatment.
- Expert testimonies help complex cases by providing insights into how the accident occurred and the causes of your injuries.
Property damage estimates and personal documentation also help value and prove your losses. The first step in collecting evidence is to ensure you have sufficient proof that the other party is liable.
The Elements of Proving Negligence
There are three legal requirements for proving negligence in the civil court system. First, you must show that the other driver owed you a duty of care. In a car accident case, every driver is responsible for following traffic laws to keep everyone safe on the road. Second, you must show that they violated that duty, typically by violating traffic laws. Last, you must connect that violation to the accident, your injuries and resulting damages. With legal representation, you can access more resources to establish negligence with solid evidence and potentially settle the claim faster.
When To Contact Our Car Accident Lawyer
You can call our office at the scene of the accident if you prefer. When building a claim for compensation, the sooner you begin, the stronger your case could be and the more likely you are to settle quickly. Car accidents are common in South Carolina, and we help victims and families recover their losses so they can rebuild. Contact Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers to schedule your free consultation today. We only get paid when we win your case.
