How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Claim?

How long does it take to settle a car accident claim after you've experienced a crash involving another vehicle? This is an important question that requires immediate answers for many people who have reasons to settle as soon as possible, because of issues such as serious car damage, physical injury and loss of finances due to inability to work. There are also doctor bills, hospital bills and other considerations, especially if an accident is severe. Here are some basic answers to some of the most important questions regarding how long does it take to settle a car accident claim.

What if the accident is the other person's fault?
If the vehicular accident that you were involved in is ruled clearly the other person's fault and the other person does not challenge the ruling, then you will find that generally the case can be settled in a matter of a few weeks. In cases where the other party challenges the ruling and secures a lawyer to fight for his or her case, you could end up dealing with the claim for several months or a year or two. The best case scenario is for both parties to quickly come to an agreement about a settlement so that the claim can be processed.

Will the libel insurance company process a claim quickly?
Yes and no, depending on their competence, quality of service and attitude. Professional attitude has a lot to do with how quickly a libel insurance company will process your claim. In cases of dealing with a reputable company, you can easily settle a claim in a few weeks or possibly 2-3 months, depending on how large the accident claim is. On the other hand, if you are unfortunate enough to deal with companies that stall and attempt to intimidate the party who is making a claim request, you may want to secure the services of a lawyer to take up your case.

Can a lawyer expedite a car accident claim?
Generally yes, if you choose an experienced attorney who has dealt successfully with similar cases. Resist the temptation to hire just anyone. Those who specialize in vehicle accident claims and have very successful track records are the best to hire. For example, a lawyer that specializes in family court cases, may not be the best to take over your accident claim, even if he is your brother-in-law! A good attorney can expedite the matter, save you money and perhaps win an important accident claim that can help you in the future with all the losses you may have experienced as a result of the accident.

If you're an accident victim who wonders how long does it take to settle a car accident claim, remember the first rule of thumb in getting the best settlement, is to be patient. Some victims are so desperate to settle a claim because they are in difficult straits financially and physically injured, that they accept much less when offered a settlement, rather than allowing a good attorney to strategically deal with the libel insurance company for a better settlement.