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Discover How Long It Generally Takes for a Personal Injury Case to Be Settled

One of the first questions we are often asked by personal injury clients is how long their personal injury case is going to take to be settled. The truth is that it depends on a wide range of factors. However, there are a few factors you can consider that will give you an idea of whether your case is more likely to be settled quickly or slowly. If you want answers based on your specific situation, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.

The Easiest and Shortest Personal Injury Settlement Option

In a perfect world, you would be able to settle your case with the insurance company for a reasonable amount, and they would agree to the first round of negotiation. In this case, it might still be a few weeks or up to a month for you to receive the money.

Why? Because there is still plenty of paperwork that needs to be done. Likewise, when the check comes, it goes to your attorney, who pays any outstanding medical bills, etc., before forwarding the remaining money to you.

Some Settlements Are Subject to Court Approval

In certain cases, the court must approve a settlement. This includes cases in which the injured party is not yet 18 years old or in which the adult has been determined to be incapacitated. If this is required in your case, then it will slow down the process further.

Taking a Case to Court

In the event that the insurance company is not willing to provide a fair settlement for your case, we might have to take your case to court. This can take many months. The first step is for us to file a complaint with the court, and then the court serves the defendant with that complaint.

Next up is the discovery process, during which we will talk to witnesses, find relevant expert witnesses to speak, and gather together the documents we need, such as medical records. The other side will do the same. This could take as long as a year.

Note that even after a complaint is filed, it is still possible to reach a settlement with the insurance company. In fact, right up until there is a verdict from the jury or a finding from a judge, you can settle with the insurance company.

Call Today to Find Out What Your Case is Likely to Involve

If you would like more specific advice on how long your personal injury case is likely to take to settle, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation. We can go over the basics of your case to make a determination on the best way forward.