A Texas personal injury claim requires a legal process that can be lengthy and complicated. As the plaintiff or filing party in a personal injury claim, it is normal to want to know what to expect from the timeline of your case. How long it will take from start to finish is subjective, as timelines can vary significantly from case to case.
Simple Case: 3 to 6 Months
If a personal injury case is relatively simple, meaning it only involves minor to moderate injuries and one party is clearly at fault, it may be resolved within months. These cases do not have to go to court but are resolved with private settlement agreements between the insurance company and the claimant. They typically involve little to no settlement negotiations and no liability disputes.
Moderate Case: 7 to 12 Months
A moderate case is one that may have some challenges but can ultimately be resolved out of court. Examples include a case with multiple defendants or accused parties, where liability must be determined and a percentage of fault allocated to each party involved. This type of case may take several months to a year or longer from start to finish.
Complicated Case: 1 Year or Longer
If a personal injury claim encounters challenges or legal complications, it can take several months to a year or longer to resolve. This is especially true if the personal injury case has to go to trial in Texas; the length of time a trial will take depends on the availability of the courthouse.
Factors That Can Lengthen The Timeline of an Injury Claim
- Severe physical injuries: Serious or catastrophic injuries will have longer healing timelines, which can extend the length of the claim. The victim will need to reach the point of maximum medical improvement prior to accepting a settlement to fully understand the value of his or her claim.
- Liability dispute: A disputed claim, where an insurance company is refuting fault or has initially rejected insurance benefits, can take longer, as there may need to be multiple investigations, expert intervention or an appeals process.
- Longer discovery phase: In a complicated case or if the insurance company is not cooperating, the investigation or discovery phase may be extended beyond what is typical for a personal injury claim. This could extend the overall timeline of the case.
- High-value claim: A personal injury claim that is worth a significant amount of money is more likely to encounter delays, as an insurance company may fight the claim or undervalue it to avoid a large payout. This can cause settlement negotiations to drag out or the case to go to court.
A highly complex personal injury claim in Texas could take multiple years. This is why it is difficult to estimate a timeline based on an alleged “average.” Instead, bring your case to an experienced Laredo personal injury lawyer for an accurate timeframe.
How to Improve the Efficiency of Your Personal Injury Claim in Texas
Every case is unique, with timelines that can vary significantly based on the circumstances. However, there are universal tips that can help you keep your claim as fast and efficient as possible. The best thing you can do is to hire a Laredo accident attorney to take care of your case for you.
An attorney will have impressive tools and resources to manage an investigation, negotiate with an insurance company and resolve your case as quickly as possible without compromising your case results. A lawyer will help you avoid common mistakes that can make cases take longer, expediting the legal process as much as possible.