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When you’ve been injured due to the negligence of another person, your entire life can be affected. In addition to having to endure physical and sometimes mental recovery, you may also begin feeling financial pressure if you have been unable to work, or have expensive medical bills. This is when you may start wondering how soon you can expect financial relief.
Our New Jersey personal injury attorneys are here to break down the factors that determine how long it takes to settle a personal injury case. Let’s dive in.
Timeline of a New Jersey Personal Injury Settlement
A personal injury case in New Jersey can take months to years to settle. Probably not the answer you were hoping for, but there are a wide variety of factors involved. The time that it takes for a personal injury case to settle depends on things like:
- Amount of evidence collected and its quality
- Monetary compensation being sought
- Number of parties involved in the case
- The complexity of the injuries and medical treatments
- Negotiation willingness from both parties
- Quality of the personal injury lawyer representing the case
- Challenges from opposing parties on liability or damages
- Insurance company investigations and processing times
How do these factors affect the timeline of your settlement? Let’s break it down.
Shorter Settlement Factors
You may see a much shorter settlement timeline if you have substantial evidence proving someone is liable for your injuries.
The fewer parties involved in the accident, the more streamlined settlement negotiations can be.
If your injuries are not too complex and your treatments are completed sooner, you are that much closer to a settlement agreement.
If you have a skilled attorney on your side, you may see an end to your case faster than with an unskilled attorney.
Longer Settlement Factors
You may see a longer settlement timeline if you have complex injuries and are seeking more compensation.
If your evidence is not compelling and/or opposing counsel does not see the value in settling your case, it may take longer.
If the insurance company takes its time, or there are multiple parties and unclear liability, the settlement process could take longer.
What Is the Settlement Process?
In general, when you begin a personal injury case, you will likely:
- Seek and complete medical treatment
- Collect evidence
- Consult with an attorney
A lot of people don’t initially consult with an attorney. This is a mistake. Having an attorney on your side can help speed up the settlement process and will potentially increase the amount of your settlement.
When Should I File a Claim?
This cannot be understated – consult with an attorney ASAP. If you are injured in New Jersey, you only have (in general) two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Insurance companies are famous for drawing out investigations and negotiations with unwitting parties in order to keep them from filing a lawsuit in time. If you fail to file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations runs out, you will lose the right to seek compensation.
Get Help From Our New Jersey Accident Attorneys Today
If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, it is imperative that you contact an attorney as soon as possible. Your rights and your livelihood depend upon it. Contact us today for a consult to learn more.