It’s common for car accident victims to wonder how long their claim will take. They have medical bills piling up, and they need compensation to pay for them. Also, no one wants a claim to drag on longer than it has to. While an attorney will try to work quickly to get you the full amount of compensation you deserve, there is no way to determine just how long any one case will take. Many factors contribute to the length of a case, and it is important that accident victims know what those are.
The Complexity of a Case
The very nature of the case will largely determine how long a car accident case takes. If the extent of your injuries is severe, it will take longer because you must have an idea of what current and future medical costs you are going to incur as a result of the injury. Before that can be determined, you’ll need to receive a prognosis from a medical professional, and they’ll need to understand how long your recovery will take.
If the accident involved other factors, such as if the negligent driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, that could also affect the case. The driver will likely face criminal charges and have a separate trial in criminal court. This could end up delaying your case, particularly if it goes to trial.
Settlement vs. Trial
If your case settles, it could all be over very quickly. Attorneys enter into negotiations to ensure they receive a fair settlement as quickly as possible. Sometimes, settlements are not always possible because the parties involved just cannot come to an agreement. When that happens, the case will go to trial. Trials can be very long and have many different processes, such as jury selection, that take a long time on their own. Whether you settle or go to trial will have a huge impact on how long your case takes.
The Insurance Companies
South Carolina is a tort auto insurance state. This means when there is a car accident, injured individuals must go through the at-fault party’s insurance company to claim compensation. Insurance companies will argue over who was liable for the crash in order to avoid paying out on large settlements. The longer the insurance companies debate who was at fault, the longer your case will take. Additionally, the more drivers involved in the accident, the more insurance companies are involved. That can also cause a case to take much longer.
Contact a Rock Hill Car Accident Attorney Today
If you’ve been injured in a crash, speaking to a Rock Hill car accident lawyer can help move your claim along more quickly. At Elrod Pope Law Firm, we are passionate about helping accident victims get the compensation they need as quickly as possible. If you’re hurt, call us today at (803) 599-3080 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. We’ll review your case and advise you of your legal options.
