How Long Does It Take To Get A Settlement From A Car Accident?
November 9, 2022 in Blog
If you have been injured in a car accident, you might wonder how long it may take to settle a claim for injuries and damages. Unfortunately, there is no definite answer to that question because every car accident victim’s case is different and unpredictable. However, there are some factors that can make your case more likely to settle quickly.
Most car accident cases eventually settle, but it is important to understand that faster settlements are often not the best settlements. Below, the experienced personal injury lawyers at Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo, P.C. discuss why you should proceed with caution when an attorney promises to help you get a fast settlement or when an insurance company makes an offer to settle right after an accident.
Insurance Negotiations
The two main areas of dispute between insurance adjusters or companies and injury victims that often cause settlement delays are injuries and fault. If all parties agree and there is no dispute about the severity and extent of your injuries and medical expenses in a no-fault accident claim, you might end up with a quick insurance settlement. However, the bottom line is that personal injury claim cases are not typically this straightforward and you will often have to negotiate with insurance companies to be fairly compensated for your insurance claim.
Someone Else Caused Your Accident
If someone else was at fault for the accident you were involved in and they were uninsured or your medical expenses exceeded the no-fault coverage, you may have a claim for uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. If your injuries are defined as serious under New York law and someone else was at fault for the accident, you may have a bodily injury claim against the at-fault party and their insurance company.
Under either scenario, if your insurance company or the defendant’s insurance company disagrees with your fault and injury allegations, settlement negotiations and investigations will be ongoing. This will add to the length of time it takes to reach a settlement agreement.
Fast Car Accident Claim Settlement Risks And Consequences
If an attorney promises to reach a fast settlement on your behalf, you should be very cautious. Our attorneys do not promise quick settlements because our promise is to fight for maximum compensation for our clients’ losses, including their pain and suffering.
Generally speaking, a fast settlement is usually not going to result in maximum compensation. It can take time to gather evidence and build your case to demonstrate the strength and value of your claim to insurers.
You should also be cautious when an insurance company makes a quick settlement offer after an accident. Their first offer is almost never their best offer. They often lowball early settlement attempts hoping that injured parties who are financially strapped with medical bills and lost wages will be tempted to accept a low offer in exchange for a release of liability.
How A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Facilitate A Car Accident Settlement
If you have an experienced NY car accident attorney who wants to see that you are fully and fairly compensated, insurance companies will recognize that you are not going to agree to an amount that is significantly below the value of your claim. As a result, they will likely be more generous with their settlement offers, and this is especially true if they know that you are represented by an attorney who is not afraid to go to trial. While the typical car accident settlement amount varies, two things that insurance companies try to avoid at all costs are litigation expenses and trial award risks.
About the Firm
As a full-service personal injury firm, Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo, P.C. specializes in all areas of personal injury. Our dedicated litigation support teams diligently and vigorously represent clients, including matters related to 9/11-related illness, personal injury, car accidents, construction accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability, product liability, and firefighter law. across New York City, Long Island, Nassau, and Suffolk counties, as well as New Jersey. To learn more about our firm or schedule a consultation with an attorney, contact us today.