How Much Time Does It Take to Settle a Personal Injury Case?

Posted on December 22, 2022 by admin

When it comes to personal injury claims, much of the focus is on winning a full and fair settlement for victims. But what about the time frame? How long does it take for an accident victim’s personal injury case to be resolved? The answer depends largely on the complexity of each individual case and how long the injured person needs to obtain medical care.

Continue below to learn more about the expected time length of a personal injury case, plus where to get more trusted information surrounding accident claims in Indiana.

Call 317-881-2700 to Speak With Licensed Injury Lawyers in Indianapolis Indiana.

Average Timelines for Accident Lawsuits

When it comes to personal injury cases, there is no one answer for how long it will take. Each case is unique and different, making the timeline of resolution hard to predict. As for trials, the length of proceedings varies significantly. Depending on the complexity of the case, the amount of evidence presented, and other factors that could lead to unforeseen problems or delays in proceedings, it can take months or even years before a trial occurs.

Proper preparation by both lawyers involved is imperative to move the proceedings along properly without delay. Obtaining witnesses with relevant testimony and assembling concise courtroom documents all play a part in how long a personal injury trial can take. Additionally, competent legal counsel is an essential asset for directing negotiations regarding settlement pre-trial or securing an award post trial.

Ultimately, there is no one simple answer as to how long an accident trial will take. Each case is different and must be approached intellectually with open-mindedness and expertise in order to provide the quickest resolution possible. With an experienced Indianapolis personal injury attorney in your corner, you can feel confident that your case is being handled properly and achieving the best possible outcome.

General Steps to the Civil Claims Process

In personal injury cases, there are several steps to the claims process. First, accident victims must receive medical treatment and document their injury. Second, they must locate an experienced personal injury law firm in Indianapolis who can help them file an accident claim. Third, the injury case must be negotiated with relevant insurers or other parties—either through settlement discussions or in court. The vast majority of personal injury cases are settled without having to go to court but it is important to obtain all relevant evidence for all cases just in case an injury case does not get settled without going to court.

The personal injury claims process can be lengthy and complex, so it’s important to have an experienced professional on your side. A certified accident lawyer in Indianapolis will help you navigate the legal system, negotiate a fair settlement amount for you, and represent your interests in the courtroom if necessary. This is not something to take lightly; personal injury cases can have life-altering implications, and you want to ensure that your rights are fully protected.

If you’ve been injured in an accident you need assistance with your personal injury claim so please contact a qualified personal injury lawyer today. Remember: when it comes to personal injury cases, the sooner the better! Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. has the experience and skills to obtain the full and fair compensation you deserve. We represent injured victims throughout Indiana, as well as Indiana residents who have been injured or wrongly killed in other states. Schedule a free consultation by calling our office directly at 317-881-2700, today.

Will My Personal Injury Claim Take a Long Time?

Posted on July 25, 2022 by admin

There are various factors that influence the total timeline of a personal injury case. Some cases may take only a few weeks or months, while others might take two years or more if a person sustains substantial and on-going injuries and problems. Consult with an experienced accident attorney to understand the elements of your case and the predicted length of time it will take.

For now, continue below to learn more about how long personal injury claims take and where to get trusted legal advice surrounding your accident case concerns.

Injury Attorneys Indianapolis Indiana 317-881-2700

Complex Personal Injury Cases Take Longer to Settle

You can roughly get a feel for the amount of time it will likely take for your claim to settle by the complexity of the case. The more complex the case, the more difficult it will be to adjudicate, which delays the settlement phase even longer. This is especially true for cases that go to trial.

Certain Liable Parties Can Attempt to Delay a Personal Injury Case

Another factor that can extend the timeline of a personal injury case is the type of liable party, or parties. If the liable party, or defendant, is a company, corporation, or government entity, or if there are multiple liable parties (defendants) in a case, the process can take longer.

Proving Negligence and Extent of Damages Can Take Time

As a claimant in a personal injury case, you hold the burden of proving that the opposing party is at fault for your accident and subsequent damages. Your Indiana personal injury lawyer will document a strong and impactful case to prove that the opposing party breached their duty of care, or was otherwise negligent, and as a direct result, caused your accident and damages. In addition to proving negligence, your team will need to prove your damages to support reasonable compensation.

To gather all the relevant evidence needed to prove your case, your lawyer may need to hire expert witnesses, forensic specialists, accounting experts, and accident reconstruction services, or prepare witnesses, including yourself. These needs add to the overall time it takes to reach a settlement or verdict.

How Long Care is Needed

The longer an injured person needs to obtain treatments, the longer it will take the case to resolve. This is because it takes some time for doctors to determine if a person’s injuries are permanent or not. If an injured person’s injuries are permanent and will last a lifetime, then obviously that would need to be taken into account when attempting to determine a full and fair settlement value for the case.

Insurance Companies Might Require Legal Representation

In some cases, insurance companies require claimants to acquire legal representation for their claim. If the claimant is hospitalized or comatose for several weeks after a catastrophic accident, they are not capable of retaining a lawyer for the purpose of pursing an injury claim. This scenario would increase the expected timeline of the case.

Refusing to Accept a Settlement Offer Will Extend Negotiations

It is important to trust your personal injury lawyer with their evaluation of your case. If you refuse every settlement offer you get, you can expect the process to take longer. You can feel confident in accepting an offer that your attorney agrees is full and fair and the attorney should explain to you why they believe the offer is fair. If an offer is not fair, your attorney should also explain to you why that is their opinion.

The best way to avoid extending the timeline of an injury claim is to hire the right attorney to represent your case. Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free personal injury case evaluation, today. We represent clients throughout the state, plus Indiana residents injured in other states.

Important Information About Settling an Accident Case

Posted on February 7, 2022 by admin

Surviving victims injured in a wrongful accident caused by another person’s negligence can recover compensation for their damages and losses one of two ways: out of court mutual negotiations or trial. Although many personal injury settlements are negotiated and settled outside of court, it is critical to a victim’s financial future and overall quality of life to retain experienced personal injury representation for their claim.

A seasoned Indiana accident attorney will aim to settle without a trial if a reasonable settlement can be reached but will remain ready and prepared to take a client’s case to court if necessary. If you are a recent victim of a wrongful accident and suffered injuries as a result, the settlement process will impact the outcome of your claim.

Continue reading to learn what you can expect during the process of settling a personal injury claim, plus how to ensure you obtain the maximum compensation for your case.

Accident Claim Legal Services Indianapolis Indiana 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Settlements

A settlement takes place when a defendant’s insurance carrier and sometimes the defendant themself make an offer for compensation, and the victim or plaintiff accepts the offer. This often happens outside of court. In fact, some agreements are made before a lawsuit is even filed. If the victim has trouble receiving a fair offer, their lawyer may suggest taking the case to civil court.

Settlements can also be made after a case goes to trial, but before a final award or verdict is made. Other times, parties might become anxious during jury deliberations, and decide to settle before their verdict comes back. This is because some defendants would rather agree to a set settlement, rather than allowing a jury to decide the case.

Full Liability Releases

Once a settlement is agreed upon between both parties, the plaintiff must sign a full liability release form. This form lawfully relinquishes all potential claims against the defendant arising out of the accident or incident. This way, the plaintiff cannot file any further lawsuits for more compensation against the defendant later. For instance, in a slip and fall case, a store’s insurance company may offer a victim $25,000 to settle a case made against their insured, but to receive the payment, the victim must agree to not sue the store or to dismiss any lawsuit that has already been filed against the store.

Most Accident Cases Settle in the End

The reason why most personal injury cases settle is because both the plaintiff and the defendant want to mitigate and control their risks and avoid the significant legal costs that come with actually going to trial. Almost all personal injury cases involve insurance companies, who have the finances to pay out claims quickly.

If a claim goes to trial, the insurance company loses some control over how much they pay in recompense to a wrongfully injured victim, as well as court costs, attorney fees, and other legal expenses. Also, many insurance companies settle claims because they want to avoid the public eye for themselves and the defendant they insure. With so many social media platforms these days, it is easy for one incident to result in a company being publicly criticized for their negligence.

Are you a recent accident victim who was wrongly injured as a result of another person or company’s negligence? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to learn your rights to pursuing a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned accident attorneys offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. We represent injured persons and the family survivors in wrongful death cases throughout the state of Indiana.

Craven, Hoover, & Blazek P.C.

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