The time it takes to settle a car accident claim varies. It can take anywhere from several weeks to a few years to reach a settlement after a crash. The timeframe will often depend on what happened during the collision, the parties involved, and any delays while negotiating for a better settlement.
By hiring a good car accident lawyer, you can potentially speed up the settlement process, or at least avoid setbacks while trying to secure a better offer. An accident attorney can also push back if the insurance company claims you were partly to blame for the crash and are ineligible for any compensation under Alabama law.
The team at Martinson & Beason, P.C. explores what factors affect the settlement process and how long it can take before you receive compensation. If you’ve been in a serious collision and need help, our law firm is ready to stand with you. To request a free case evaluation from our skilled car accident attorneys, contact our law firm today. You can also reach our Huntsville law office by phone at (800) 255-6534.
On Average, How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Claim in Alabama?
This depends on how serious the car accident is, the cause of the collision, and any disputes over injuries and liability.
- For simple cases, a car accident claim can get settled in a few weeks to a few months. This usually applies to claims that involve no injuries or minor injuries and clear-cut liability in the crash.
- For more complicated cases, a claim may take several months to a year to reach a settlement. This applies to claims that involve more serious injuries and medical treatment as well as a longer recovery process.
- For very complex claims, it can take well over a year to finally reach a settlement. This applies to cases with catastrophic injuries, multiple parties in the crash, and disputes over who was at fault or if anyone was partially at fault.
When a settlement can’t be reached, a car accident claim may wind up going to circuit court for legal damages. In these situations, going to trial can add another year or more to the already lengthy process.
Because of this wide range of time, it’s important to speak with an attorney about your car accident as soon as possible. Our law firm can evaluate your collision and start negotiating with the insurance company. The sooner we can start the process, the sooner you can receive compensation to help pay for medical treatment and repairs.
Factors That Affect the Duration of the Settlement Process
We’ve already alluded to some of them, but here are the most important factors that affect how long it takes to reach a settlement after a car accident.
The Severity of the Injuries in the Car Accident
If you suffered serious injuries in a car accident, you’ll likely require extensive medical treatment. It can take months to fully recover from your injuries, and if you suffered a catastrophic injury in a crash, you may need to adapt to life with a long-term or permanent disability. These kinds of serious injuries can affect your ability to earn income while recovering. If your injuries resulted in a disability, this can affect your current earnings and your wages in the future.
Disputes Over Medical Treatments and Injuries
In order to minimize payouts, some insurance companies dispute the cost of your medical treatment. They’ll claim that certain medical procedures may have been unnecessary, or that certain treatments were not directly related to your injuries. An experienced car accident attorney can help push back against these disputes, citing your medical bills and testimony from medical professionals. Disagreements like this can extend the settlement negotiation process by weeks if not months.
A Low Initial Settlement Offer
Your initial settlement offer may be lower than you expected. Insurance companies know that car accident victims have bills to pay and often lowball their initial offer. If you negotiate for a better settlement, this can add time to the process. Multiple rounds of negotiation may occur until you finally arrive at a fair amount that addresses your injuries, property damage, the accident’s impact on your quality of life, and changes in your future earning potential.
Disagreements Over Liability and Partial Fault in the Collision
The state of Alabama has a strict contributory negligence rule. This means that a person cannot receive compensation after an accident if they are even 1% at fault in a crash. Insurance companies will often try to identify any form of partial liability to avoid making a payout. This includes claims that you were driving just over the speed limit, talking on your phone while you were behind the wheel, or did not yield the right of way. Having a lawyer is important to dispute these claims after a car accident.
The Number of Vehicles or Parties Involved in the Crash
If multiple vehicles are involved in a collision, this increases the complexity of the settlement process. Other parties may have also contributed to the crash, such as an automaker that made a defective vehicle or a trucking company that hired a driver without properly screening their record. It can take more time to reach a settlement when there are more than one or two parties involved simply given the nature of these negotiations.
The Insurance Company’s Conduct
Some insurance companies may be slow to respond or intentionally delay their responses in order to draw out the negotiation process. These stalling tactics can pressure some people to accept a settlement offer that’s lower than what their case is worth. An experienced attorney can recognize these tactics and maintain regular communication, remaining diligent throughout the process to get a response sooner.
Car accident settlements can be challenging, which is why you should consult a car accident attorney about your case and how much your claim is really worth. To request a free case review from our car accident lawyers in Huntsville, contact Martinson & Beason, P.C. today.
What If I Still Can’t Reach a Settlement for My Car Accident?
If you’re unable to negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company, you may want to consider mediation before taking your case to court. This method of dispute resolution can help parties reach a mutually agreeable compromise that’s quicker and cheaper than prolonged litigation.
Mediation in a Car Accident Claim
Mediation is when both sides meet with a neutral third party. This neutral mediator helps both sides reach an agreement by acting as a go-between in the negotiating process.
Both sides will present their version of events, and the mediator will meet with each side privately to help facilitate a compromise. The mediator can relay offers and counteroffers between the parties until there is a resolution.
Mediation is typically recommended if the facts of the accident are agreed on, but the final settlement offer is under dispute. In these situations, mediators can save an accident survivor time and money by avoiding court. Your car accident lawyer can help determine if mediation is worthwhile for your case.
How Long Does Mediation Take to Reach a Car Accident Settlement?
As with any settlement, the average length of the mediation process can vary. Some car accident cases can be resolved through mediation in a few days, while other cases may require multiple weeks to reach a resolution.
If mediation is not successful and a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney may suggest filing a lawsuit to seek legal damages.
If My Car Accident Case Goes to Trial, How Long Will It Take?
If your car accident case goes to trial, the lawsuit could last two years or more. Because of Alabama’s contributory negligence rule, there’s a risk that you could go to trial and wind up with nothing despite all of the time that’s been spent.
For those who’ve already been through a long settlement negotiation process and mediation, this additional time in litigation can feel frustrating. Your attorney will help you make the right decision based on your case and your financial needs after a serious collision.
How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help with the Settlement Process?
If you’ve been seriously injured in an auto collision in Alabama, it’s in your best interests to speak with a car accident lawyer about what happened. There are four key advantages to working with an attorney after a major car crash.
Leverage While Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Direct negotiations with an insurance company are difficult. If you’re unfamiliar with the process, you could become intimidated by the power imbalance and thrown off by the back and forth and delays. You might also say the wrong thing about the accident and your role in the crash, which could jeopardize your ability to receive compensation. A seasoned lawyer knows how insurance companies negotiate claims and can act accordingly. Your attorney will also know how to frame questions and phrase responses so you are not held partially liable for the crash.
Maximize Payouts Based on the Facts of Your Case
Without an attorney, you may not understand how much your collision claim is really worth. You may be tempted to accept a better settlement offer that still undervalues your injuries and the damage to your property. A good car accident lawyer will make sure you don’t settle for less than you deserve. If certain medical treatments or repairs are disputed, your attorney will advocate for you.
Advice on Whether or Not You Should Go to Trial
Going to trial could be risky because of Alabama’s contributory negligence rule. Your lawyer can review the evidence in your case and any claims of negligence made against you. If your lawyer has an airtight case, they can provide evidence to the contrary without backing down. Your attorney may also advise you to accept the best possible settlement offer if it provides some compensation for your losses after a collision.
Peace of Mind During the Entire Process
Recovering from a major car accident can be stressful. Your focus should be on recuperating from your injuries and spending time with your family. Your car accident lawyer will do the paperwork, meet deadlines, and negotiate with the insurance company while keeping you updated every step of the way. This will give you time to heal and to plan for your future when you’ve recovered from your injuries.
Why Should I Contact Martinson & Beason, P.C. About My Car Accident Claim?
It can take time to settle a car accident claim. If your case goes to trial, you need an attorney you can trust who can dispute accusations of fault and build a powerful and compelling case to secure damages. The lawyers at Martinson & Beason, P.C. provide the genuine care and attention that accident survivors deserve during a challenging time.
Our law firm has represented the people of Alabama since 1937. For almost a century, we’ve treated each client like a member of our family.
Free Case Reviews
If you’ve been in a major accident, the last thing you need is another bill. Our lawyers understand this, which is why consultations are free at Martinson & Beason, P.C. We feel that you should not have to pay just to get your case evaluated by proven legal professionals in Alabama.
If We Don’t Win, You Don’t Pay
Our car accident lawyers understand what’s at stake if we go to trial, which is why we work on a contingency fee basis. That means clients only pay us if we can secure a settlement or win damages. If we don’t win, you don’t pay. We want you to succeed and will always strive to act prudently while we maximize your compensation after a crash.
Get a Free Consultation with Our Alabama Car Accident Lawyers
Martinson & Beason, P.C. can help you and your family after a major car accident. We’ll stand with you—no matter how long it takes, we’re on your side. To request a free consultation from experienced car accident attorneys in Huntsville, AL, contact our law firm today. You can also reach us by phone at (800) 255-6534.