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Writer's pictureZachary Port

How Long Will My Personal Injury Case Take?

In the wake of a vehicular accident, confusion often runs rampant. Victims are forced to grapple with unexpected pain and injuries, mounting medical bills, and an overall interruption of their daily activities.


Because of this, it is understandable that many clients ask this question,

 

“How long will my personal injury case take?”

 

Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy answer to such a question. While we generally try to get your case resolved within 9-14 months after your injury (assuming no litigation), this can vary greatly depending on several factors. There are some common contributors to case length among nearly every personal injury case that can provide insight into how long one might last.

 

Document Accumulation

 

When building a case, personal injury firms must acquire many documents and a significant amount of information from various places and people, including the client, the client’s medical providers, insurance agencies, police departments, and more.

 

Requesting and receiving documents from external organizations can sometimes take multiple weeks or even months––and as for medical documents, this part of the process cannot begin until after treatment has been carried out for a substantial amount of time.

 

Injuries Sustained

 

The type of injury an individual suffers from a crash plays a key role in determining case length. A client’s injuries are first identified by an individual’s medical provider during the treatment they seek in the time after the crash. While treating the client, the medical provider evaluates his or her current condition and can issue an informed opinion on the longevity of the injury.

 

In general, there are two kinds of injuries: acute and permanent.

 

An acute injury is a temporary issue that can often be relieved through various forms of treatment. These kinds of afflictions, while certainly troublesome and inconvenient, only affect a client for a short period of time. As a result, cases involving acute injuries often settle for a lesser value.

 

Examples of acute injuries may include:

 

  • Sprained ligaments

  • Fractured bones

  • Concussions

 

A permanent injury is one that will likely affect the client for the rest of his or her life. Often, these kinds of afflictions can be treated for the client’s temporary relief but remain incurable. Clients with permanent injuries often must make considerable changes in their daily lives to accommodate their new ailments. Because of the severe pain and suffering, along with the complete upheaval of regular life, cases involving permanent injuries typically result in higher settlement values.

 

Examples of permanent injuries may include:

 

  • Traumatic brain injuries

  • Paralysis

  • Vision impairment

  • Amputation of limbs

 

Settlement and Litigation

 

The way in which a case resolves also plays a critical part in the overall length. Most personal injury cases end in a settlement when the attorneys and the insurance company adjusters come to an agreement on a reasonable compensation award. Still, arriving at a settlement can take time as the parties negotiate back and forth over the details of the case and a just amount for the client. Every case is different, but cases that end in settlement often resolve somewhere between nine and 14 months after the injury.

 

However, if the attorneys and adjusters cannot reach an agreement that mutually satisfies both parties, the attorneys may put the case into suit. Preparing to bring a case to trial is a serious endeavor that requires a great deal of time and energy as the attorneys gather the information that they need to best present their side for judgment. Because of this, personal injury cases that end in litigation can take anywhere from 1-4 years after the initial injury to resolve. 

 

Conclusion

 

While it may be frustrating to wait on the resolution of your personal injury case, the countless moving parts and time-dependent contributing factors within a typical situation make it difficult to resolve quickly. If we resolve your case too quickly, it will likely result in you not getting the full settlement you deserve. At Betz & Port, we strive to walk with you through the entire process, maintaining a consistent line of communication as we push your case forward to ensure that your needs are being met. We believe that a thoughtful, methodical approach to each case helps our client come away with a satisfying, just settlement.


If you’ve been in an accident and need assistance in bringing forth a personal injury case, contact Jim Betz or Zack Port for a free consultation today.


Huge shout-out to Abby Chalmers in helping write this article.

 


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