When it comes to personal injury, no two cases are the same, making it difficult to predict exactly how long someone’s case will take to settle. However, it generally takes anywhere between 6 months to 3 years. We can look at several factors to get an idea of how long a lawsuit may take to settle.
Some of the factors that will affect your settlement timeline include the following:
- The extent of your injuries and time to reach MMI. Before your damages can be fully calculated and the value of your claim can be determined, you must reach MMI – Maximum Medical Improvement. MMI refers to the point at which your doctor believes you have healed to your fullest extent. More severe injuries mean a more extended period to reach MMI.
- Value of your claim. Claims that total tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars are much more difficult to settle quickly than claims worth only a few thousand. This is because the more money involved, the greater the stakes for the insurance company, and the greater the incentive will be for an insurance adjuster to diminish the value of your claim.
- Alternative dispute resolution vs. going to trial. Whether you decide to settle your case through alternative dispute resolution methods (like mediation or arbitration) or file a lawsuit will also significantly affect the overall duration of your claim. Pre-litigation settlement is always the fastest way to resolve a claim. Another alternative even after the filing of a lawsuit is mediation. When a lawsuit is filed and litigation begins, some cases do not resolve quickly and can take 1-3 years, or more to resolve.
Grigoryan Blum & Grigoryan is a boutique Pasadena law firm that works hard to get the best results for our clients by obtaining all the facts and demanding a settlement that fairly compensates for our client’s injuries. We aim to negotiate and resolve the claim directly with the insurance company when possible.
How long should I expect?
When insurance companies are fair, a settlement can be a cost-effective and efficient option. Our goal is always to resolve cases in the most efficient and cost-effective ways, using tools, procedures, and aggressive negotiating tactics to come to a fair settlement.
At Grigoryan Blum & Grigoryan Law Firm, your initial consultation with an experienced Pasadena personal injury attorney is free. You are under no obligation to retain our services after meeting with us. Contact our office for a no-obligation, free consultation with an experienced attorney at GBG.
Click here for our complete guide to hiring a personal injury lawyer.
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