If you have been injured at work, in your car, or as the result of someone else’s negligence, you have the legal right to pursue compensation to help pay for medical expenses and any pain and suffering caused. However, one concern that a lot of people have before filing a lawsuit is: how long is this going to take? And, depending on the expected timeline and accompanying expenses, is it still worth it to take legal action?
The length of a personal injury case may depend on many unique factors, so it is difficult to say with any certainty just how long such a lawsuit will take. Some cases can take a couple of months to resolve, whereas others could take years.
What Impacts the Length of Personal Injuries Lawsuits?
How long it takes to resolve a personal injury lawsuit largely depends on the complexity of the case, the availability of the case’s attorneys and judges, the availability of the injured persons, and the amount of money that is at stake.
If the accused party denies culpability, an investigation will need to be taken to determine the blame. Problems with evidence in the investigation can slow things down. The involvement of insurance companies may also complicate things.
What May Cause Delays?
Delays in personal injury lawsuits can and do happen. Such delays in the legal process could be caused by:
- A particularly complicated case, with an abundance of details, plaintiffs, and evidence, could make an investigation and ensuing court case take longer.
- Covid-19 restrictions may limit court appearances and scheduling.
- Dispute of liability.
- Failure to reach an agreeable settlement.
- Litigation shouldn’t be the goal of anybody, as this can cause long delays, but sometimes it is the only way to resolve matters.
- Medical examinations which are still in the process can slow things down, as the price of the treatment may not be known from the start.
Should You Settle Before Entering Litigation?
Some complex disputed personal injury lawsuits can take months or even years to reach a conclusion. During that time, the injured party may be responsible for all their medical expenses. While the initial personal injury settlement may not be enough to satisfy the bills and suffering incurred, accepting a settlement offer could resolve the case in a matter of mere weeks.
The decision of whether you should settle largely comes down to whether or not the injured party thinks the settlement is fair or if they wish to press for more. If more is wanted from the settlement, it may be worth pursuing further negotiations or even eventual litigation.
Leave a Reply