When pursuing a personal injury claim in court, reaching a car accident settlement may take months or years.

How Common Are Car Accidents?

There are millions of car accidents in America every year, with over 37,000 related deaths and an additional 2.35 million people injured or disabled, according to the Association for Safe International Road Travel. These accidents can be devastating, both personally and financially. Road cashes reportedly cost the U.S. $230.6 billion each year, averaging around $820 per person.

Even car accidents that seem minor at first can lead to serious and even permanent injuries. Indeed, many people who experience these “minor” car accidents may begin developing symptoms days after the injury itself, such as headaches, neck pain, PTSD, and more. These headaches could be minor, or they could indicate a serious problem like a blood clot in the brain. Neck pain is a whiplash injury, and may require x-rays, CT scans, or MRIs in order to diagnosis the issue properly. And while PTSD is often associated with soldiers coming back from war, post traumatic stress disorder can occur after experiencing or witnessing any terrifying event, including a car accident.

It is important to be aware of your symptoms after a car accident, not just for your health, but also to be able to file a complaint by your state’s deadlines.

Can I Reach a Car Accident Settlement?

After a car accident, most insured drivers will file a claim with their insurance company. By providing documentation and continuing to negotiate with the insurance, many drivers are able to recover compensation for their damaged vehicles, according to The Balance.

Unfortunately, an insurance car accident award is not always enough to cover the costs associated with a car accident. If your car has depreciated in value at all, the award may not be enough to pay off any remaining balance on a lease or loan. Other consumers may find that their award doesn’t provide enough support for medical bills.

In these cases, consumers may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver. These complaints are filed in court and bring civil claims due to injuries caused by the accident. Most personal injury car accident lawsuits seek compensation for property damage, emotional harm, medical bills, and other costs.

How Long Does a Car Accident Settlement Take?

The car accident lawsuit process will vary in time depending on the case and how much litigation is needed.

The first step is filing the complaint. This marks the beginning of the lawsuit. Next, the plaintiff needs to serve a copy of their complaint to the defendant. This may take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on how long it takes to track down the defendant.

The next section of litigation occurs in court. Discovery happens first and included the request and exchange of information between the plaintiff and defendant. This always takes at least a few months but can take over a year depending on the situation. The next step of litigation is a trial, which will only take a few days.

If one of the parties isn’t happy with the trial outcome, they may choose to appeal the decision. This can add years to the length of a case.

One of the parties may try to win the case immediately after discovery by filing for summary judgment. If this technique is successful, it can cut down on the amount of time it takes to reach a resolution in the settlement.

The amount of time it takes to reach a settlement or trial award will depend on the amount of litigation required and whether or not the claims are settled outside of court. Some plaintiffs may be able to reach a settlement immediately after only a few months. Other plaintiffs who undergo the full litigation and appeals process may be forced to wait years before recovering compensation.

Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit

If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident and suffered an injury, you may be able to file a car accident injury lawsuit and pursue compensation.

Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by a car accident injury, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially in the wake of a traumatic incident like a car accident, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

This article is not legal advice or medical advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.