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How Long Does a California Personal Injury Claim Take? It Depends Largely on These Three Factors

When a potential client calls Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas for a free consultation, one of the first questions they often ask is how long the process will take. The truth is that every case is different, and we cannot guarantee anything. However, it is also true that there are three factors that can have a significant impact on how long a case takes. Read on to learn what they are and then contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 if you are in need of legal assistance.

  1. How Complex the Case Is
  2. If you are dealing with a medical malpractice case with years of evidence, complex terms of use, and other factors, you can count on this taking longer than your average car accident claim. However, the type of case is not the only thing that determines how complex a case is. For example, a car accident with a dozen witnesses is likely less complex than a car accident with no witnesses that requires the help of an accident reconstruction expert.
  3. The Seriousness of Your Injuries
  4. There are two ways that the seriousness of your injuries can affect how long your case takes. First, if you have catastrophic injuries, then it might be months before the true extent of your long-term injuries is known. Once we settle your case, we cannot sue for further damages, so it is important that we have the full cost of your damages. Second, the seriousness of your injuries can make them more difficult to prove. For example, if you have a broken leg, then we can generally show an x-ray to the jury or the insurance company. However, if you have a head injury that is causing symptoms that cannot be easily proven, then we might need to work with expert witnesses, bring several medical professionals, and take other actions that can take time.
  5. How Patient You Can Be
  6. If you have bills that must be paid and are counting on the funds recovered from your accident to come sooner rather than later, then you will likely get less than if you can wait for your attorney to negotiate your case. Insurance companies often count on victims to want to settle quickly and are therefore unwilling to offer a fair settlement until they realize that the victim is ready to hold steady and wait for a fair offer.

If you are ready to find out more about how long your specific case might take, or what your best options are, then we invite you to contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation. We are standing by to provide you with a comprehensive consultation during which we can give you the basic options that are likely to work for you.