What Factors Can Delay the Settlement of My Claim?

After being injured in an accident you may be entitled to compensation and damages. During the insurance claim process, several factors can expedite or delay your settlement. For more information on when you can expect to receive your settlement money, speak with a Geneva, Illinois personal injury lawyer.

How Long Do Settlements Generally Take?

Without knowing the details of the accident and resulting injuries it is impossible to say with certainty how long it will take for you to receive your settlement funds. However, most cases settle around one year after being initiated. Some settlements will be resolved in as little as a few months while others will take several years. The actual time will depend on the complexity of the case.

What Factors Can Delay My Personal Injury Claim Settlement?

Depending on the details of your case, various factors can delay your receipt of your personal injury claim settlement. The following are some common issues that may arise during the process.

• Liability disputes: If the other party tries to argue that they are not liable or that there was a shared responsibility, it can delay the settlement. Cases with clear and irrefutable evidence identifying the liable party will generally be resolved earlier.
• Lack of medical records: One of the most important things to do after an accident is to get medically evaluated as soon as possible. This creates a paper trail linking your injuries to the accident and detailing your diagnosis, treatments, etc. Without adequate medical records, it can be difficult to determine your need for compensation and delay the settlement process.
• Missing or contested evidence: If crucial information cannot be located, documents go missing, witnesses become unavailable, or the other party contests one or more pieces of evidence, it will lengthen the time it takes to settle the case.
• Insurance company: Insurance companies are generally focused on turning a profit rather than paying out claims. There may be various levels and departments that have to review and sign off on the settlement before it can be distributed which can take a long time.
• The severity of injuries: The more severe the accident and injuries are, the longer it will take to settle a claim. Damages are generally assessed once you have healed enough where your injuries are stable and you have recovered for the most part. This could take a long time depending on the severity of your injuries.
• Inevitable delays: As with any legal issue, there can be miscellaneous and unavoidable delays. You may forget to return a document to your attorney, administrative work may go untouched due to other priorities, your attorney may have a personal emergency, etc. Life throws curve balls all the time, so there is no telling exactly how long it will take for a claim to be settled.

While it can be difficult to estimate how long it will take for your case to settle, you can put your best foot forward by hiring skilled legal counsel. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal process and ensure your case settles for a fair amount. Reach out to a skilled lawyer today for more information.