How Long Do Personal Injury Cases Take to Settle in Georgia?

How Long Do Personal Injury Cases Take to Settle in Georgia?

If you are considering filing a personal injury lawsuit, you may wonder how long the process could take. How long would it take to settle? How long would it take to go to trial? When you or your loved one are facing a long road to recovery after an accident, filing a lawsuit that may take a long time to resolve might feel daunting when you’re anxious to move forward with your life.

At Kaufman Injury Law, we understand your hesitation with starting the legal process. We will work hard on your case and seek a favorable resolution as quickly as possible.

What Factors Affect the Timeline for a Settlement?

Every case is different, but most personal injury cases settle as soon as six months after a client hires a lawyer. However, some cases can last as long as eighteen months to two years. The complexity of the legal issues involved, coupled with the extent of the injuries the client suffered, largely impacts the time it takes to settle a case. In addition to these circumstances, other factors can affect the timeline for settlement:

• Your treatment plan – If you suffered significant injuries, you may require extensive medical treatment followed by physical therapy. Typically, insurance companies will not be willing to enter into settlement negotiations until you have completed treatment.
• Defense counsel’s strategy – If the insurance company hires an attorney, the lawyer may request extensions of time to answer your complaint or discovery requests. Or they may require the deposition testimony of witnesses or experts concerning how the accident occurred and how it has impacted your life before they determine how much your case is worth and initiate settlement discussions.
• Insurance company delays – Sometimes, an insurance company fails to promptly initiate its investigation of the accident. Alternatively, the company may dispute liability and require more discovery before it will come to the table with a settlement offer.

Will My Case Settle?

Most personal injury cases settle before they go to trial. However, the question is when they will settle and for how much money. A settlement can happen any time before going to court, including before a lawsuit is filed. However, it depends on whether the party you believe is responsible for the accident accepts liability. If they dispute they are at fault, you can expect the litigation to take longer. Their attorney will likely request information from you and non-party medical providers to evaluate liability and assess your injuries.

Although your attorney will do everything in their power to move the case toward an earlier settlement, they cannot control the actions of the other party and their attorney and insurance company. As your legal advocate, your attorney will build a strong case on your behalf. However, they cannot guarantee a result or the time it may take to obtain a favorable settlement or judgment at trial. Rest assured that you can trust your lawyer to move your case along to the best of their ability.

Contact Kaufman Injury Law Today

If you are considering filing a lawsuit after an accident, call Kaufman Injury Law, founded by Attorney Jeffrey Kaufman. We have the skills and experience to handle your personal injury case. You will receive the same personalized legal services our clients have come to expect, coupled with the strong legal advocacy you need. We will pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries and financial losses. Call today for a free consultation to get started with your case today.