The Average Settlement Timeline for a Personal Injury Case in Texas

It can happen in an instant—you’re driving or walking your usual route to work or home when another driver comes out of nowhere and collides with you. Suddenly, you’re seeking medical attention for a painful injury and wondering how this event will impact your immediate future. The moments, days, weeks, and months following an accident can be overwhelming and stressful, especially if your injuries require extensive medical interventions. In addition to making a physical recovery, you are likely worried about the medical bills piling up and the wages you’ve been forced to lose out on because of your injuries. However, it’s essential to recognize that Texas allows those injured at the hands of a reckless or negligent party to file a personal injury claim and collect the compensation they need to support their recovery. This post will explore how long personal injury cases tend to take and identify the factors that affect this timeline.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Houston

If you have sustained an injury due to someone else’s careless or reckless actions, you may be able to pursue compensation from the at-fault party. Most personal injury cases involve negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance company, which can be frustrating and challenging for the average person. It’s essential to remember that the insurance company’s top priority is protecting its bottom line, so it will use several tactics to undermine, diminish, or deny your claim to save as much money as possible. It’s almost always in your best interest to enlist the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer to handle these communications on your behalf. Your lawyer will assess the details of your situation, help you gather evidence, interview witnesses, and compile the strongest claim possible to maximize your chances of securing the compensation you need to support your recovery.

Factors Influencing the Accident Settlement Timeline

Every personal injury case is unique, so no one-size-fits-all timeline applies to every claim. Most cases involve reporting the accident, investigating the situation, determining responsibility, negotiating with the at-fault party, and assessing the settlement offer. Most claims take several weeks (or months) to settle, while more complicated cases that require litigation may take months or years to resolve. Below are just a few of the factors that may impact how long it will take you to recover compensation from the at-fault party after the accident.

The Type and Severity of Your Injuries

Cases involving relatively minor injuries tend to resolve more quickly than those involving multiple or severe injuries. A core component of filing a personal injury claim is calculating the amount of compensation you require to pay down the medical bills, lost wages, and other unanticipated expenses resulting from the accident. Injuries requiring lengthy hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, or additional longer-term recovery support often take more time to quantify, as you will want to factor in future costs as you calculate the settlement you need. Your attorney can assist you with these estimates, but it’s helpful to understand that more complicated injuries typically take longer to move forward and resolve.

Determining Fault

Although some accidents are clear-cut (i.e., a driver blatantly ran a red light and collided with another vehicle), most are not as straightforward. Determining fault is often one of the most time-consuming aspects of a personal injury case, especially when the parties refuse to admit to any wrongdoing. Investigations into the circumstances of the accident can take time. Your lawyer can help you get a more accurate estimate of how long the fault determination process may take.

Working With Insurance Companies

Most personal injury cases involve insurance companies, particularly those of the at-fault party. When you pursue a claim, the company will assign an insurance adjuster to oversee the claim from start to finish. However, even though the insurance adjuster may claim to be “on your side,” you should recognize that their loyalty lies with their employer. Their primary goal is to save the insurance company as much money as possible, which means they will likely use tactics to undermine, discredit, or deny your claim. Communicating with the insurance company can be stressful and frustrating, so it’s best to let your attorney step in to handle these negotiations on your behalf. The willingness of the insurance company to work with you can impact the settlement timeline significantly.

Responding to the Initial Settlement Offer

Most accident victims want to obtain the compensation they’re owed as soon as possible. Unfortunately, insurance companies usually use this eagerness to their advantage, presenting the injured party with a lowball settlement offer and hoping they will accept it right away. However, if you can wait a bit longer to secure the settlement, it’s highly advisable that you and your lawyer push for a more favorable settlement offer. Most insurance companies want to avoid litigation, so they will work with you to find a more agreeable offer. In some instances, taking the matter to court may be in your best interest; however, this will extend the settlement timeline considerably. No matter what path your personal injury case takes, you can trust that your attorney will work hard to secure you the most favorable outcome possible.

Reach out to DeHoyos Accident Attorneys, PLLC, today at (832) 745-4878 to speak with a dedicated and caring Houston personal injury lawyer.