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  • Practice Areas
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    • Motorcycle Accident
    • Wrongful Death
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Aviation Accident
    • Neck Injuries
    • Catastrophic Injuries
    • More Cases >
      • Brain Injuries
      • Back Injuries
      • Spinal Cord Injuries
      • Amputation, Disfigurement, Paralysis
      • Chemical Exposure and Industrial Accident Attorneys
      • Electrocutions, Burns and Explosions
      • Car Accident
      • Truck Accident
      • Boating Accident
      • Dangerous Defective Products
  • Other Cases
    • Social Security Disability
    • Premises Liability
    • Commercial Litigation
    • Maritime Injury >
      • What Does the Jones Act Mean for Injured Seamen?
      • Offshore/Oil Rig Accidents
    • Jones Act
    • Workers' Compensation
    • Employment Attorney
    • Labor Relations
  • Find a Lawyer
  • Blog
  • About
    • Contact us
  • Location
    • Biloxi, MS
    • Gulfport, MS

How Long Does a Personal Injury Case Take to Settle? The Litigation Process Explained

If you've been injured in an accident, you may be wondering how long it will take to resolve your case. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer. Every personal injury case is different and the length of time it takes to settle can vary greatly. In this article, we'll explain the litigation process and how that can affect how long your case takes to resolve. We hope this information will help you understand the process better and give you a better idea of what to expect.

There is no typical personal injury case. The amount of time it takes to settle a case depends on many factors, such as the severity of your injuries, how many parties are involved, how complex the legal issues are, and whether the insurance companies are cooperative. If you've been injured in an accident, it's important to seek legal help as soon as possible.

The first step is receiving medical treatment. You should see a doctor or go to the hospital as soon as possible after the accident. It's important to document your injuries and get started on the road to recovery. Once you've received medical treatment, you can start thinking about pursuing a personal injury claim.

The next step is hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer. Your lawyer will review your case and help you understand your legal options. If you decide to move forward with a claim, your lawyer will begin the process of gathering evidence and building your case. This can take some time, but it's important to do things right. Your lawyer will also be dealing with the insurance companies and trying to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
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The insurance companies will usually try to lowball you and settle your case for as little as possible. They may even try to deny your claim altogether. This is why it's so important to have a lawyer on your side who knows how to deal with the insurance companies and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Once your case is ready, your lawyer will file a lawsuit on your behalf. This is usually the last resort, but sometimes it's necessary to get the insurance companies to take your case seriously. If your case goes to trial, it can take months or even years to resolve.

Most personal injury cases are settled out of court, but how long that takes depends on how quickly the parties can reach an agreement. If the insurance companies are being reasonable, it might only take a few months to reach a settlement. But if the insurance companies are being difficult, it could take much longer.

The first step in the litigation process is filing a personal injury lawsuit. This can be done by the injured party or their attorney. The suit will be filed in the appropriate court, which is typically where the accident occurred. Once the lawsuit is filed, the other party will have an opportunity to respond.

The response will usually be one of three things:

  • An admission of liability.
  • A denial of liability.
  • Or a counterclaim.

If the other party admits to being at fault, then the case can be settled relatively quickly. However, if they deny liability or file a counterclaim, then the litigation process will take longer.

The next step is discovery, during which both sides will gather evidence to support their respective claims. This can involve things like depositions, interrogatories, and requests for production of documents.

After discovery, the next step is trial. This is where both sides will present their evidence to a judge or jury and argue their case. The length of time it takes to go to trial can vary depending on how complex the case is and how busy the court schedule is. Once a verdict is reached, the case will be over and the parties will either receive damages or not.

What does a victim need to prove in court?

In order to win a personal injury case, the victim must prove that the other party was at fault and that their negligence caused the accident. They will need to present evidence to support their claim. This can include:
  • The police report
  • Witness testimony
  • Photographs
  • Medical records

If you've been injured in an accident, it's important to seek legal help as soon as possible. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to evaluate your case and give you a better idea of how long it may take to settle. 

How does negotiating with an insurance company enter the process?

In some cases, the insurance company will be willing to negotiate a settlement before the case goes to trial. This is more likely to happen if there is clear evidence that their insured is at fault and liable for damages. If an agreement can't be reached, then the case will continue on through the litigation process.

If you're not happy with the insurance company's settlement offer, you can reject it and continue with the litigation process. However, if you do choose to go to trial, there is always the risk that you could end up with a lower damages award than what was offered in the settlement.

What information does an attorney need from me?

If you've been injured in an accident and are considering pursuing a personal injury claim, there are a few things you should do:
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  • First, seek medical attention for your injuries. This is important not only for your health, but also because you will need to have documentation of your injuries when you file your claim.
  • Second, gather any evidence you have that could support your claim. This can include things like the police report, witness testimony, photographs, and medical records.
  • Third, contact an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney will be able to evaluate your case and give you a better idea of how long it may take to settle. They will also be able to help you gather the evidence you need to support your claim.

If you've been injured in an accident, don't wait to seek legal help. The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner they can start working on your case. With over 50 years of experience, our personal injury attorneys are ready to help you get the compensation you deserve

What is the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit?

The statute of limitations is the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit. In most states, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years from the date of the accident. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
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It's important to keep in mind that the sooner you file your lawsuit, the better. If you wait too long, you may be barred from recovering any compensation at all.

What is the personal injury claims process?

The personal injury claims process can be complicated and time-consuming. It's important to understand that a majority of personal injury cases reach a settlement before going to trial. However, how long it takes to reach a settlement depends on many factors.

Some of the things that can affect the length of time it takes to settle a personal injury case include:

  • The severity of the injuries.
  • The amount of damages involved.
  • How clearly liability is established.
  • Whether or not the other party is willing to negotiate.

The first step in the personal injury claims process is getting medical treatment. It's important to get treated as soon as possible after the accident. This will not only help you recover, but it will also create a record of your injuries.
The next step is to contact an experienced personal injury attorney. They will be able to review your case and advise you on how to proceed.

Once you've hired an attorney, they will begin the process of gathering evidence and building your case. This can involve things like:

  • Depositions
  • Interrogatories
  • Requests for production of documents.

After discovery, the next step is trial. This is where both sides will present their evidence to a judge or jury and argue their case.
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Once the trial is over, the judge or jury will reach a verdict. If you've been awarded damages, the other party will have a certain amount of time to pay them. If they don't, your attorney can help you collect what you're owed.

What are the benefits of hiring a personal injury attorney?

There are many benefits to hiring a personal injury attorney. Some of the most important include:
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  • They have experience handling personal injury cases.
  • They understand the law and how to navigate the court system.
  • They will fight for you to get the best possible outcome.
  • They can help you recover damages even if you're not able to go to trial.
  • They can negotiate with the other party on your behalf.
  • They will take care of all the paperwork and phone calls for you.

Hiring a personal injury attorney will give you the best chance of getting the compensation you deserve for your injuries. 

Contact Wetzel Law Firm today

​As you can see, there are many factors that can affect how long it takes to settle a personal injury case. It's important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to get a better idea of how long your particular case may take. At Wetzel Law Firm, our experienced personal injury lawyers are here to answer all of your questions and help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us help you take the next steps.
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