One of the most common questions personal injury lawyers receive is “How long will it take to settle my case?” The answer to this question depends on whether or not you are willing to accept a low-ball settlement from an insurance company.
Beware of Low Initial Offers
Insurance companies are notorious for rushing claimants and making them feel that they must accept the first offer they receive. This is by design, as they know that most claimants desperately need the money to cover their expenses due to time away from work during their recovery. Unfortunately, this initial offer will likely be inadequate to cover all of a claimant’s losses, causing them to end up settling for far less than they actually deserve.
While you can speed up the process by settling early, once you settle, your case is over and you can no longer seek additional compensation. In other words, if you settle for too low of an amount, you be held financially responsible for any medical expenses or losses that exceed the limits of your settlement.
Why Is My Case Taking So Long?
When filing a personal injury claim, it is important to know that you may have to wait a considerable amount of time in order to receive a fair settlement. Generally speaking, the longer you wait and negotiate, the more you will likely receive.
Factors which can lengthen this process include:
- Legal or factual issues such as liability disputes or disagreements over the value of damages
- The case involves a considerable amount of money
- You are still receiving treatment and have not reached “maximum medical improvement”
Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast rules about short settlements. It is recommended you consult with a knowledgeable attorney to best gauge your situation and find out if it is truly worth it to hold out for a better offer.
Call (505) 219-2176 Today to Maximize Your Settlement
At Michael J. Doyle, Attorney at Law, our top-rated Albuquerque personal injury attorney has more than 10 years of proven legal experience and can provide the guidance you need to secure as much compensation as possible for your injuries. Contact our office online or schedule a free case review today to find out more about how we can help.