When you're injured, the last thing you want is to wait for a settlement to pay for your medical bills and other expenses. You may wonder how long a settlement might take. Part of this depends on the nature of your case and how quickly the other party is when agreeing to a settlement.

The Statute of Limitations

In every state, there is a statute of limitations for how long you have to file a personal injury claim. Past this date, you will not be allowed to file a claim except under special circumstances. In most states, the statute of limitations is two years.

The Insurance Provider

In most cases, your personal injury case will revolve around an insurance provider. Some insurance companies are quick to make a settlement offer and others will do everything they can to deny your claim. They may also try to drag your case out as long as legally allowed with the hope that you'll become discouraged or accept a very low settlement offer.

When your personal injury claim is very complex, you will want to work with a personal injury attorney who is experienced with handling complex negotiations. Your attorney will calculate how much your claim is worth and will help you craft a demand letter.

The insurance provider might dispute liability as an attempt to deny your claim or to offer a much lower settlement. For example, the insurance provider may claim that you were 40% at fault for the accident and only offer a small percentage of the amount you requested. Your settlement might take much longer because you will need to gather evidence to prove that the other party was liable.

Your Recovery

Another issue is your recovery. If you have not reached the state of maximum recovery, you will need help from a personal injury lawyer to determine the best steps to take. When you have not fully recovered, you will not necessarily know how much your damages will be.

The Policy Limits

The insurance provider will likely have policy limits. If your injuries are much greater than the policy limits, you may need to seek compensation from the policyholder directly or you may need to sue another party to make up the difference. This can make your case longer and more complex. Therefore, you'll want to make sure you get started as soon as possible with a personal injury attorney.

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