There is a good chance that your claim could be resolved before a lawsuit is even filed. In the investigation process, your attorney will gather what they need to negotiate with the at-fault party's insurance company. In some cases, the insurance company will make a settlement offer, and your attorney will use their professional opinion to determine if this is the best offer to compensate for your time and injuries. If a settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will begin the process of filing a lawsuit. Once the filing is complete, a judge in your district will set a deadline for each phase of the lawsuit. Depending on how complex a case is, this process can take anywhere from a few months to years.