Why Can Some Lawsuits be Resolved More Quickly Than Others?

If you get injured because of someone else’s carelessness, you may think about filing a lawsuit or insurance claim. You may also be concerned about how long it may take to resolve the case and receive compensation. Doctor’s offices and hospitals are going to want payment for the treatment they provide, and you still need to pay your rent and the rest of your bills.

Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to the question of how long it may take for your attorney to reach a settlement or get your case into court for a jury to reach a verdict. It may sound cliché, but it is true, each case is different. There are many factors in how long it may take for a case to reach a resolution.

Below, learn more about these factors and how they affect the duration of a claim. You can discuss this in greater detail with one of the licensed attorneys at our firm in a free legal consultation. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can determine if you may have a valid legal claim and the sooner we can get to work on your behalf.

There is no obligation to hire our firm and no upfront fee, which means no risk to you. Give us a call today for help. Our goal is to aggressively pursue maximum compensation and try to reach a favorable resolution of your case as fast as possible.

Reasons Cases May Take Time to Resolve

The more complex the case, the longer it is likely to take to resolve. For example, if you have significant injuries and damages, you can expect the insurance company and at-fault party to contest the amount of compensation you are seeking. You may not be able to reach a settlement with the insurance company – they may not offer enough to cover the full value of your damages. If this happens, your lawyer may need to file a lawsuit, and this could make the legal process take much longer.

Type of Injury

A claim involving a broken arm may be faster to resolve than a claim involving a severe spinal cord injury or brain injury. That is because it is relatively easy to calculate the damages from a broken arm.

However, a spinal cord injury could be a life-changing injury. You may need to make modifications to your home and are likely to need ongoing medical care to manage your limited mobility and other medical problems caused by your injury.

It takes time to determine the full value of this type of claim and you can be sure the insurance company will disagree about the amount you are requesting. Insurance companies are looking to pay out the least possible amount of compensation, no matter how seriously you are injured.

Insurance Company Investigation

The insurance company will want to conduct its own investigation to determine if the extent of your injuries has been exaggerated. They will also look for ways to attack your credibility. Unfortunately, insurance companies sometimes drag their feet hoping the victim will simply agree to a lowball settlement offer. They also may try to run out the clock on the statute of limitations. Once that happens, you are prohibited from filing a lawsuit to attempt to obtain compensation.

Maximum Medical Improvement

Another factor to consider is maximum medical improvement. Generally, a Maryland-based personal injury attorney does not make a settlement demand until the injury has healed as much as it is likely to heal. This is the point where future treatment is not likely to cause significant improvement in your condition. For example, even with a treatment, a spinal cord injury that causes quadriplegia is unlikely to improve much more after the injury has stabilized. It could take weeks or months to reach maximum medical improvement.

Disputes Over Fault

If fault is contested, it can add a significant amount of time to the case. The insurance company will want to investigate, and your attorney may need to gather more evidence to strengthen your case and dispute claims about your fault for the situation.

While each case is unique, there are steps you can take to potentially speed up the process. For example, get to the hospital right away and follow your doctor’s orders about treatment. Call a lawyer right away to determine your next steps. You should also avoid discussing the situation on social media. Not doing these things could hurt your claim, which may cause it to take longer to obtain compensation.

Have Questions About Your Claim? We Have Answers. Call Today

Peter T. Nicholl Law Offices serves personal injury victims throughout Maryland, and we have been doing so for more than 30 years. In that time, we have recovered millions in compensation on behalf of injury victims and are ready to help you.

We understand what injury victims go through, and how important compensation is as you watch bills pile up and you cannot work as much as you used to. We are committed to seeking a favorable resolution as quickly as possible.

We are ready to help you seek compensation. Call 410-907-3957.