How Long Does a Car Accident Settlement Take?

In the aftermath of a car accident, the days and weeks that follow can be overwhelmingly stressful. Beyond the physical recovery from injuries, individuals often grapple with the financial aftermath, including mounting medical bills, lost wages, and necessary car repairs. In many cases, seeking financial recovery through an insurance claim or, for more severe accidents, pursuing a personal injury lawsuit becomes imperative. This raises a pressing question for car crash victims: How long does a car accident settlement take? At Rice & Kendig, our Shreveport car accident attorneys are here to break down the details of the average auto accident settlement timeline, as well as explain the most common causes of delayed settlement checks. 

If you’re seeking guidance and support in navigating the complexities of a car accident claim, don’t hesitate to reach out to our law firm. Call the Rice & Kendig legal team today at 318-222-2772 to schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward securing the financial compensation you deserve.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Car Accident Settlement?

One of the most common questions we receive from our clients is: how long does it take to get a car accident settlement? The short answer is it depends.

The time it takes to get settlement money after an auto accident can vary depending on several factors. While some cases may be resolved relatively quickly, others might take months or years. The average time that most car accident plaintiffs can expect to receive a settlement check is between 9 to 18 months following their initial accident. 

At Rice & Kendig, our team of experienced Shreveport auto accident attorneys is committed to expediting the auto accident settlement timeline while ensuring our clients receive the compensation they deserve.

The Car Accident Settlement Process

The settlement process for car accidents involves several essential steps, each crucial for achieving a favorable outcome. 

• Seek medical treatment: Immediately address any injuries sustained in the accident and document them for your personal injury claim.
• Schedule a case evaluation with a lawyer: Consult experienced attorneys, such as those at Rice & Kendig, to assess your case’s strengths and legal options.
• Send a demand letter: Initiate the negotiation process by sending a formal demand letter outlining your damages and seeking compensation from the insurance company. Louisiana is an at-fault state, so injury victims must contact the at-fault party’s insurance company for their settlement.
• File an insurance claim: You can officially begin the negotiation process by filing an insurance claim to seek compensation for your damages.
• Discovery: Exchange evidence, witness statements, and relevant information with the opposing party during the discovery phase to strengthen your case.
• Mediation and negotiation: Attempt to settle outside of court through mediation and negotiation sessions with the assistance of a neutral mediator.
• Litigation: If negotiation fails, you can file a lawsuit which can lead to a formal trial in court to resolve the dispute.
• Settlement: If negotiation is successful, finalize an auto accident settlement agreement that adequately compensates you for your damages and closes the case.

Factors That Affect Auto Accident Settlement Timeline

Understanding the factors that influence the timeline of a car accident settlement is crucial for navigating the legal process effectively. If you’re wondering – why is my car accident settlement taking so long? The reasoning may be anything from difficulty in proving negligence and liability to the severity of injuries and complexities of insurance negotiations.

Difficulty Proving Negligence and Liability

Proving negligence and liability in car accident cases, particularly those that are complex, can be a challenging and lengthy process. It typically requires a meticulous investigation involving accident scene reconstruction, gathering evidence such as medical records and police reports, and collaborating with relevant experts. 

At Rice & Kendig, our experienced attorneys recognize the importance of thoroughly establishing negligence and liability to build a strong case for each accident victim. We leverage our expertise and resources to navigate the intricacies of the legal process, ensuring that our client’s rights are protected and they receive the compensation they deserve for their injuries and damages.

Multiple Negligent Parties

In some car accident cases, more negligent parties may be involved other than just the at-fault driver. For example, semi-truck accident cases often involve numerous negligent parties, such as drivers, trucking companies, manufacturers, shippers, and even maintenance companies. To appropriately establish percentages of fault for all parties involved, a thorough investigation is often required.

At Rice & Kendig, our Shreveport semi-truck accident attorneys have what it takes to navigate complex claims involving numerous negligent parties so that the crash victim makes a complete physical and financial recovery.

Severity of Injuries

Auto accident cases involving serious injuries introduce a layer of complexity that often extends the settlement process. In cases involving severe brain and spinal cord injuries, the severity of the injuries often necessitates extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, resulting in higher damages that need to be compensated. When you call the Shreveport brain injury attorneys and Shreveport spine injury attorneys at Rice & Kendig, we’ll be able to give you an average settlement timeline based on the extent of your injuries, and we’ll help you expedite this timeline as much as possible.

Uncertain Treatment and Recovery Timeline

In cases of catastrophic car accident injuries such as brain and spinal cord injuries, the treatment and recovery process can be extremely long and uncertain. That’s why it’s often advisable for individuals to pursue a car accident lawsuit once they reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). This means that an injured victim has reached a point where their condition cannot be further improved or healed through future medical care such as surgery. For example, a person with a spinal cord injury and paralysis of their lower limbs often reaches their maximum medical improvement when their health is stable. Still, no amount of further treatment can improve or reverse their paralysis.

Seeking legal recourse at the point of MMI allows our Shreveport personal injury attorneys to accurately calculate all medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages associated with the car wreck, ensuring that our clients receive fair compensation for their damages. By waiting until the extent of the injuries and associated expenses are fully understood before filing a lawsuit, we can advocate more effectively on behalf of our clients and pursue the maximum compensation they deserve.

Whether or Not Wrongful Death Occurred

In auto accident cases where wrongful death is a factor, the complexity of the legal proceedings often increases, potentially leading to a delay in settlement. Wrongful death claims are frequently worth more than personal injury claims, notably if the victim passed away due to injuries sustained in the accident, especially after being hospitalized in the ICU. Beyond grappling with the emotional toll of losing a loved one, surviving family members are burdened with practical concerns such as covering medical bills, funeral, and burial expenses, and coping with the loss of financial support, mainly if the deceased was the primary breadwinner. 

At Rice & Kendig, our Shreveport wrongful death attorneys understand families’ multifaceted challenges in these circumstances. Our compassionate attorneys are dedicated to providing support and guidance to navigate the complexities of wrongful death claims, ensuring that families receive the compensation they need to rebuild their lives amidst the aftermath of such tragic losses.

Insurance Company Negotiations and Delays

The most considerable delay for car accident settlements often involves insurance company negotiations and delays. Insurance companies frequently employ tactics to minimize payouts and protect their bottom line despite the legal obligation to provide compensation for valid claims. This can lead to protracted negotiations, as insurers may dispute liability, undervalue damages, or intentionally prolong the process to pressure claimants into accepting lowball offers. Additionally, bureaucratic red tape and inefficient claims processing systems within insurance companies can exacerbate delays, leaving accident victims waiting months or even years for a resolution. 

An experienced car accident lawyer at Rice & Kendig can handle meticulous insurance negotiations and expedite the process as much as possible so that you can receive fair and timely financial compensation for your injuries and losses.

If the Car Accident Claim Requires Litigation

When a car accident claim requires litigation, the process inevitably extends beyond the typical timeline for settlement. Personal injury cases that proceed to court trials face additional complexities and procedural requirements, which can significantly delay the case’s final resolution. Court schedules, evidentiary hearings, and the availability of judges all contribute to lengthening the litigation process. Moreover, the adversarial nature of litigation often leads to prolonged negotiations between parties, further delaying the issuance of a final car accident settlement check. 

How Long Do I Have to Wait for My Insurance Check After My Car Accident Case Is Settled?

After returning a signed release, it’s typically expected that you’ll receive your insurance check within approximately 30 days. Nevertheless, the timeframe for receiving a settlement check following a car accident can fluctuate based on many factors, as explained previously. 

While some settlements may be swiftly resolved within weeks or a few months, more intricate cases involving disputes over liability, damages, or insurance coverage may extend the process for several months or even years before arriving at a fair settlement agreement. At Rice & Kendig, our seasoned attorneys strive to expedite the settlement process while ensuring our clients receive the compensation they deserve.

What is the Quickest Way to Get a Car Accident Settlement?

While it may seem tempting to accept the first offer presented by an insurance company to get money quickly, doing so is often not in your best interest. Insurance companies frequently offer low-ball auto accident settlements that fail to compensate car crash victims for their losses adequately. Ultimately, how long it may take to settle your car accident case is primarily out of your control. However, the most effective and efficient way to secure your settlement is to prioritize your health by seeking immediate medical treatment, diligently gathering evidence to strengthen your claim, and seeking guidance from experienced car accident attorneys at Rice & Kendig. By entrusting your case to a skilled legal professional, you can rest assured that they will navigate the complexities of the legal process on your behalf, negotiating with insurance companies and fighting for the fair compensation you deserve as quickly as possible.

Why You Should Hire an Attorney to Handle Your Car Accident Claim

When faced with the aftermath of a car accident, hiring a personal injury lawyer to handle your claim can significantly improve your chances of receiving fair compensation for your damages. Here’s why you should consider entrusting your case to a qualified attorney:

• Legal expertise: Attorneys specializing in personal injury law possess the knowledge and expertise necessary to navigate the complexities of car accident settlements.
• Maximizing compensation: Experienced attorneys understand how to assess the full extent of damages in personal injury claims, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and future needs, ensuring you receive the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
• Negotiating with insurance companies: Insurance companies often employ tactics to minimize payouts, but attorneys are skilled negotiators who can advocate for your rights and counter these tactics effectively.
• Legal representation in court: If your case proceeds to litigation, having an attorney by your side provides invaluable legal representation, ensuring your interests are protected throughout the trial process.
• Peace of mind: Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, but having an attorney handle your claim allows you to focus on your recovery. In contrast, they hold the legal aspects of your case.

At Rice & Kendig, our dedicated personal injury lawyers are committed to providing compassionate support and aggressive representation to car accident victims in Shreveport, Louisiana, and beyond. We understand your challenges and are here to guide you through every step of the legal process, advocating for your rights and helping you secure the compensation you deserve in your auto accident case.

Call a Shreveport Car Accident Lawyer at Rice & Kendig Today

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Shreveport, Louisiana, don’t hesitate to seek legal representation from our law firm’s experienced car accident attorneys. Our dedicated team specializes in handling all types of motor vehicle accident cases, including semi-truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, distracted driving accidents, and more. With a deep understanding of Louisiana’s personal injury laws and a commitment to securing justice for our clients, we provide personalized attention and aggressive representation to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses. Contact us today at 318-222-2772 to schedule a free case review, and let us fight for your rights and help you navigate the complexities of the legal process.