Here in the United States, 39.5 million personal injury cases require medical attention each year.
These accidents can happen almost anywhere and to anyone. So, if you’ve been involved in an accident and are ready to file a personal injury claim, you might wonder how long it takes.
The answer is that it varies depending on the case, but having the right lawyer on your side helps speed up the process. Here’s what you need to know and how long it can take to get compensation after you file a claim in Houston.
What Affects the Timeline?
Personal injury cases will vary depending on certain factors. For instance, people may choose to settle, or the case can go to trial.
Straightforward cases where liability is obvious might conclude in a few weeks. More complex cases can take many months to wrap up.
There are also many different types of personal injury cases, such as auto accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, etc. Some may require more work and time than others to build a solid case.
Another factor to consider is the insurance company and how soon you can reach an agreement.
Even the severity of your injuries can impact the timeline. You’ll need proof that the injuries and suffering were due to the accident, which means visiting your doctor, scheduling appointments with specialists, getting medical imaging and tests, and more.
Personal Injury Cases Step by Step
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help to expedite the process as they have the right knowledge and experience to build a case.
Your lawyer will tell you what to do while they investigate and gather evidence. They’ll ask for details on the accident, your injuries, and the treatment you’ve received. You should focus on recovery and following all medical advice you receive.
The investigation portion of a case can take weeks or months. Any mistakes or gaps in treatment can delay a case.
Settlement discussions usually occur after the victim has undergone medical treatment and reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). The severity of your injuries will affect how long it takes for you to recover.
Your lawyer will then negotiate with the negligent party or insurance company on your behalf. This back and forth takes time, and if neither party reaches an agreement, the case goes to trial.
After filing a lawsuit, the discovery process begins. Each party has time to collect evidence, investigate the accident, secure documents, and more.
Then negotiations begin again. Some cases rely on mediation to reach an agreement.
Most personal injury cases are settled outside the courtroom. If the case does go to trial, you may receive a verdict in as little as a few days to a few months, based on complexity.
The Right Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
As you can see, many factors affect the timeline of personal injury cases. It depends largely on how long it takes a victim to reach MMI, the clarity of liability, and how smoothly negotiations go.
In general, most personal injury cases reach a resolution outside the courtroom. So, your case may conclude in a few weeks, or it might take several months.
Having the right personal injury lawyer on your side can help speed up the process. Here at the McDonald Worley law office, we serve clients like you in Houston and across Texas that are suffering due to another’s negligence.
Get a free case evaluation today to discuss your options and learn more.