One of the most common questions injured people ask is how long their case will take. The honest answer is that it depends. This article describes general factors and is not legal advice or a prediction about any specific case.
Factors that affect timing
Several things influence the timeline: the severity of the injuries, whether you have finished medical treatment, how clearly liability can be established, and whether the insurance company negotiates in good faith. Cases that settle generally resolve faster than those that go to trial.
Settling before you finish treatment can be risky, because the full extent of your injuries may not yet be known.
Why patience can pay off
It often makes sense to wait until your medical condition stabilizes before resolving a claim, so that future care is accounted for. An attorney can help you weigh the trade-offs between resolving a case quickly and pursuing the full value of your claim.
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