Car accidents are one of the most common insurance claims every year. Personal vehicles are the most common form of transportation in the modern world, so these statistics are reasonable. But many people still don’t know the answer to the question: ‘how long does a car accident settlement take?’
In this article, we will discuss the factors that affect car accident settlements and several things that extend its time-frame.
What are the factors that govern the length of the claim for a car accident settlement?
Car accident claims can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to settle. A month or two is the minimum time frame that you should expect when you file a car accident claim with your car insurance provider. Depending on the severity of injuries of those involved, claims can take years to resolve.
Some factors that contribute to the delay in resolutions include accident investigation, development of data, and the number of parties involved.
Here are some additional factors that also influence the outcome of car accident claims:
- The scale of injury: When we say injury, we mean both to the car and you physically. The reason this is so important to the process is because of the point of uncertainty involved. In the early stages of the claim, it is quite hard for the physician to answer the exact time frame or cost which will be needed to ensure the full recovery of the insurance holder. The fact that there are cases that involve false reports of chronic pain, soft tissue injury or whiplash, makes the process of scrutiny even lengthier.
- Cooperation of your insurance company: The level of cooperation of your insurance company plays a great role in the overall settlement period of a claim. This is one of the reasons why you should go to an insurance company that can answer your claims as quickly and fluently as possible. The maximum timeframe for an insurance company to respond to a claim is within 40 days of receiving the proof relating to the claim.The insurance company is supposed to either accept or deny the claim within these 40 days. If there is a rejection or denial, the case can take a longer period to close as court cases are unpredictable.
- Court cases and proceedings: Other important aspects that can extend the period are court-related events. Depending on the severity of the accident, the number of parties involved, the amount and level of injuries sustained by those parties involved, as well as the financial amount requested, all contribute to the length of the court case. Court cases take a lot of time to come to a verdict, especially when the case includes someone who is fighting for a big amount of money for their hospital expenses. These factors can extend a case for much longer than one would expect.Car and personal injury cases involve a certain discovery period which is mandatory, and there are several out of the court negotiations that can also affect time. If a party is not satisfied with the verdict, they can appeal in a higher court, which will add on to the mandatory discovery period.
Events where a longer period of car accident settlement is beneficial
Although people prefer immediate claim settlements, there are situations where a longer period for claim settlement is beneficial for the person affected by the accident and for other parties involved in the cases.
Perfect for cases with serious injuries involved: For a case where the person in the accident is suffering major issues, a longer time-period will be beneficial. It will help the person to get the most out of the claim and will result in better financial stability.
There are numerous factors to determine the outcome of a car accident insurance claim. The examples listed above are just a few of the major influences which help determine the time frame of a claim. When an injury occurs due to a car accident, it is strongly recommended to seek legal counsel. The personal injury attorneys at Gill & Chamas lend their experience to help their clients receive the compensation they deserve promptly.
If you have been in a car accident, please contact us today if you have any questions.
