How Long Will It Take to Settle My Personal Injury Claim in Los Angeles?

After an accident that was caused due to someone else’s carelessness, you are likely entitled to pursue legal damages and receive compensation for your injuries. One of the most common questions asked by injured parties pursuing personal injury claims in Los Angeles is often surrounding how long the entire process will take. How quickly your personal injury claim gets resolved will depend mainly on the personal injury lawyer you hire to carry out the case and your claim’s specific facts. The more experienced and skilled your counsel, the more likely your claim will be quickly resolved. Similarly, if the facts of your case demonstrate someone’s liability in a straightforward manner, your claim will generally progress quickly.

While there is no surefire way of knowing how long the entire process will take, there are some indicators that you can anticipate a speedy resolution. Below, we outline what you can expect from a reasonable personal injury claim timeline.

Negotiations Before Trial Lead to Quicker Outcomes

After an accident, the first step towards receiving compensation for your injuries is always to hire a personal injury lawyer. Your lawyer will get to work reviewing the evidence, calculating the cost of your medical expenses and any damages that should be awarded for pain and suffering, and mount a substantial demand against the liable party’s insurance company. At this stage, your lawyer’s role is to prove that the insurance company’s client is responsible for making you financially whole, and negotiations will thus begin.

Attempting to settle upon a figure that both you and your attorney are comfortable with is one of the fastest ways to resolve your case. Settlement negotiations will occur continuously throughout the claims process and may take twists and turns depending on whether any new evidence emerges at any point in the case. 

After Filing a Lawsuit, Do You Use Dispute Resolution or Go to Trial?

Suppose the initial demand phase and its negotiations don’t lead to a settlement offer all parties agree with. In that case, your attorney will formally file a lawsuit, and the insurance company will have 30 to 45 days to respond to the suit. Often, insurance companies will take the opportunity to suggest the parties go into mediation to come up with a settlement offer and avoid trial. Because trials can often be lengthy and expensive, clients are generally advised to take advantage of mediation and use this approach as a strategy for resolving their claim. Savvy personal injury lawyers will be able to advise whether you’re better off going into mediation or taking the case to trial to win an even more significant award. However, be advised that trial can take up to one to two years to complete.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’ve recently been involved in an accident and are wondering how to begin pursuing compensation for your medical expenses, don’t hesitate to contact our offices and explore your options today. Our experienced attorneys will offer guidance as to the best approach for recovering damages for your injuries.