Personal Injury Attorney

If you’ve been involved in an accident, you could face a challenging road to recovery. The physical effects alone can be difficult to overcome. You may face extensive treatment, multiple surgeries and a lengthy rehabilitation process. You may have to take medication for the rest of your life. The mental, emotional and financial scars can be significant as well. Winning a personal injury lawsuit can soften the blow of some of these burdens. If you are starting your case, it’s good to know what to expect.

Time To Settlement

It’s difficult to say precisely how long it will take until you receive your settlement check. A variety of factors will determine the swiftness of the process. Out-of-court settlements are faster and may find resolution within several weeks. However, if the case goes to court, you could find yourself in a long battle. The case may drag on in more complicated matters such as extensive, multiple injuries. Also, if the defendant denies culpability, the case could take longer. If insurance companies are being slow to pay on claims or continue to deny your claim, you could also face delays. Many personal injury cases take a year or more to resolve.

The Amount You’ll Get

How much you’ll receive from your settlement will vary depending on the nature of the accident and the seriousness of your injuries. If your injuries hamper your daily quality of life and keep you from functioning normally, you can expect a larger settlement than if you have minor issues. You may also receive more if the court determines you are entitled to pain and suffering pay. This takes into account any emotional trauma you suffered because of your accident. The level of the defendant’s negligence can also be a factor. You can expect more money from your settlement if the other party deliberately tried to harm you as opposed to a defendant who simply used poor judgment.

Should You Go To Court

Some injury cases never reach a courtroom. This happens when the defendant acknowledges some fault and agrees to pay a settlement out of court. However, if the defendant wishes to avoid paying as much (or anything) for your injuries, the other party may wish to take the matter to trial. An injury case may require a judge to intervene when insurance companies become difficult to work with.

Be aware that many issues will determine how fast your case is and how much you’ll get from your settlement. Your personal injury attorney, like from David & Philpot P.L., can help you understand how the process will work.