After most Austin car accidents, you’ll need to file a claim with your insurance. Once that’s done, you’ll be answering a lot of questions and doing plenty of waiting around. There’s so much waiting that you may even worry about when you’ll actually get your settlement.
The good news is that most car accident injury claims don’t drag on forever. In most cases, you’ll negotiate and secure a settlement you’re happy with. If that isn’t the case, you’ll need to file a lawsuit with the help of an Austin car accident attorney.
This is the timeline you can expect for most cases.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Simple Insurance Payout?
If your car accident injury claim is simple, you can usually expect a fast payout. Most people will get the first settlement offer 15 to 45 business days after the claim is submitted. Once you accept the settlement for your car accident injury, you can typically expect to be paid after five business days.
How Long Does It Take To Negotiate a Higher Settlement for a Car Accident Injury?
If you feel that the first offer was too low, you should work closely with your Austin car accident attorney to negotiate better terms for you. They will work to determine a reasonable counteroffer that best meets your needs and then work out a settlement with your insurance company on a number that both parties can agree on.
This process can take several months depending on the specifics of your case. Be aware that insurance companies want to pay as little as possible, so they may put up a fight. If you do accept an offer, it will typically take five business days to get your money for your car accident injury claim.
How Long Does It Take To Settle a Car Accident Injury Suit?
If you can’t reach an agreement, or the insurance company refuses to negotiate, you will need to file a personal injury lawsuit. From here, most cases take around a year to settle. However, the specific time frame will depend on a number of factors, including the value of your evidence.
In some instances, it can take longer than a few months. For instance, if there were multiple vehicles involved or if there were severe injuries, a car accident claim can take years to play out in court.
How Long Do Personal Injury Trials Take?
If you still haven’t reached a settlement during the pre-trial phase or your case is complex, you will need to go to trial to continue your fight. Waiting for your trial can take one or two years.
The insurance company still has the option to offer you a settlement. If you accept this offer, you can no longer bring your case to trial. Filing a lawsuit can be the nudge you need to get the insurance moving. Still, there’s no guarantee that they’ll offer you a fair deal, so it is best to trust your car accident injury attorney to help you decide.
An experienced attorney should have the knowledge and skill set to help you secure a fair settlement.
If no settlement is reached before the trial date, it typically takes a few days to a week to finish a trial. Be prepared for a longer timeline depending on your case. Strong cases with plenty of evidence can end up being on the shorter end, while complex cases can take weeks to resolve.
Get Compensation for Your Car Accident Injury Claim. Trust the Experienced Attorneys at Ramos James Law.
If you have a simple case, you likely not need to file in court to obtain compensation for the damages you have suffered. However, not all cases are so straightforward. Whether your insurance is stonewalling you or offering too little, you should consider hiring an experienced Austin car accident attorney to help you effectively handle your claim.
Here at Ramos James Law, PLLC, we use our years of experience to advocate for you. We are here to answer all your questions and guide you during this trying time.