If you are injured in an accident, your life may be temporarily or permanently affected. You may experience loss of work or medical expenses not to mention mental health setback. Whether the situation involves a car accident or a slip and fall, plus anything in between, you are entitled to recovery time and compensation for costs. If you’ve moved through the process in taking action with your injury claim, you may be wondering how long does it take for a settlement? If your Oregon personal injury attorney has helped to reach an agreement in your claims case, it may take upwards of six weeks to receive your entitled compensation. A lawyer may help you get it sooner.
Depending on the nature of your personal injury claim, medical bills, vehicle repairs, reimbursements, out of work compensation, and other expenses are usually incorporated in a settlement. The process may seem overwhelming and time consuming, which is why it’s vital to seek injury representation. An experienced injury lawyer can help sort through the logistics and provide you with the best outcome to receive full compensation for every expense. A lawyer can help walk you through the process from start to finish.
Why Hire an Expert Injury Lawyer?
Chances are, if you are hiring a personal injury attorney, you’ve experienced an accident-related or work-related injured. As an outcome, you will be dealing with medical specialists, doctor visits and treatments programs. In a personal injury case, money damages are paid to an injured person by a person or company at fault, or legally responsible for the accident.
Regaining your health will be your focus. Leave the legal issues to the experts and free yourself of these worries.
Settling an injury claim is often time-consuming. Consider trials, Personal injury specialists are committed to ensuring their clients get financial compensation and effective, efficient recovery. Engaging the services of a personal injury lawyer gets you not only their legal expertise but also access to a wide network of treatment facilities and healthcare professionals. This information will help speed up the recovery process. Additionally, an experience attorney can better inform you or answer the question, how long does it take for a settlement to be received?
Injury Attorneys are Equipped to Deal with Major Insurance Companies
Most people covered by some form of insurance. A personal injury lawyer can provide clarity on complex insurance claim processes and ensure there are no missteps taken when filing paperwork and formal documentation. In turn, this helps to ensure full benefits for all lost wages and expenses, plus it helps to secure a speedy return on this money. Wondering how long does it take for a settlement is a common question among injured victims. While waiting is not ideal, it’s crucial that you seek full compensation prior to settling with insurance companies.
Important tip: do not negotiate with insurance companies without legal representation. Insurance companies are multi-million-dollar businesses eager to cut corners and settle a claim quickly. They do not serve injured victims best interest and will work hard to assert authority and offer the bare minimum payment to protect vested interests.
In general, large insurance companies seeks services from big legal firms with a primary goal is to settle claims for less than they’re worth. An experienced personal injury lawyer who is adept at advocating for your rights to a fair settlement can act in your favor.
Insurance Companies can Delay Payments & Reduce Claim Settlement Amounts
For most, battling insurance companies can be a nightmare. With endless resources at their disposal, insurance providers can make it incredibly difficult for you to receive a fair offer. In turn, many are forced into settling sooner without receiving what is rightful compensation. Big insurance deploys unscrupulous tactics and can place pressure on a need for immediate funds in order to avoid paying the necessary full amounts. How do they accomplish this?
If you’re in a car crash, a work accident, or anything else that requires you to file a claim with your insurance company, you should be prepared for some resistance. Insurance companies are notorious for trying, at all costs, to avoid paying out for claims. They may do any of the following:
- Informing you that a lawyer is not needed or you don’t need to hire one
- Delaying judgement on a case until the statute of limitations runs out
- Telling you certain damages are not covered by your existing policy
- Offering a very low settlement first
- Having claimant sign forms and statements
Important tip: insurance providers will try and trick claimants is by getting them to sign releases and forms that essentially void or prevent the potential for getting compensation. Don’t sign any forms until your Oregon injury attorney has reviewed them.
Injury Attorneys During Negotiation
How long does it take for a settlement? The short, albeit vague answer is: it depends. Personal injury lawyers spend extensive amounts of time negotiating the best settlement within the court system and in tribunals. They know when to take a case forward and when it is better to settle out of court and should advise you of your options.
Courtroom proceedings for personal injury cases can be confusing even for lawyers unless they have experience working in this area. Hire an experienced personal injury lawyer who can manage the entire litigation process including court appearances.
Why do settlements take so long?
First and foremost, not all injury cases undergo a lengthy process. Individuals may seek to settle a cast quickly even if it means accepting less money. While this is an option, it’s usually not the best strategy. Taking less money may aid in the short-term, but long-term, you’d be surprised to find how much is lost during quick settlements. The name of the game is marathon versus sprint.
If liability is hard to prove, an insurance adjuster is not likely to make a reasonable settlement offer until the plaintiff’s lawyer has demonstrated a willingness to pursue full damages. By filing a personal injury lawsuit and hiring liability experts to show exactly how the defendant was at fault. But how long does it take for a settlement after you move forward with an injury claim?
Process of Personal Injury Claim
We understand you’re looking for a specific answer regarding how long does it take for a settlement, but unfortunately, the answer is not straightforward. Instead, let’s review the process of any personal injury claim to know what to expect. Generally, following an accident or injury, a person likely receives medication treatment. It’s important to understand and address the extent of injuries as that will also serve as payment for those medical expenses. Here is the step-by-step guide to follow after an accident:
- Get medical treatment immediately.
- Consult or research personal injury representation in your state
- Secure representation
- Your lawyer will investigate claim and review all medical records and other critical documentation
- At this point, your lawyer may consider making demand for settlement. However, an experienced lawyer should not make a demand until the client has reached a point of maximum medical improvement (MMI). This ensures that client has received all the care necessary and that those expenses have been document within the demand for settlement.
- Personal injury law suit filed
- Discovery of a personal injury case
- Mediation or negotiation
- Trial
Each of these stages is critical, but also time consuming. The important factor is to consider all angles and ensure your safety and wellness prior to arranging a settlement. That said, once a settlement is agreed to, pay out is usually granted within 30 days, however it’s not set in stone.
Factor that can change the timeline:
- Case was slowed due to legal or factual problems
- Claim involves a lot of damages and substantial compensation
- Maximum medical improvement for injuries has not yet been reached
Injury Attorneys Paid Through Settlement
Many experienced personal injury lawyers bill their clients on a contingency fee. This means that your lawyer will collect fees only if you are awarded money. In such cases, if your lawyer doesn’t get a settlement in your favor, there is no legal fee. Experienced personal injury lawyers are highly motivated to represent your case tirelessly for the ultimate success of both client and attorney. You can rest assured that your best interest is put first.
Potential Losses in Personal Injury Cases
Plaintiffs in personal injury cases may experience one or more of the following losses for which they are claiming compensation:
- Medical and hospital bills
- Future medical expenses
- Medical treatments
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Physical therapy
- Treatment for long-term physical pain and suffering
- Transportation or ambulance expenses
- Medicine and Prescription drugs
- Nursing home care
- Domestic services
- Medical equipment
- Lost wages
- Future employment income
- Increased living expenses
- Property replacement or repair
- Treatment for mental or emotional anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
These are called compensatory damages. Compensatory damages are awarded to compensate for damages, injury, or other losses you have incurred as a result of the accident or injury. These damages are awarded where a loss is the result of negligence or unlawful action of another party. Your personal injury attorney must prove that a loss occurred and that it was the fault of negligence or unlawful act of another. This loss must be quantified by your attorney to the defendant’s attorney or a judge’s satisfaction if the case goes to court.
How Long Does it Take for a Settlement?
There is no one right answer to this question. There are several variables. One is the length of time you wait to initiate a case. It is wise to hire a personal injury lawyer immediately. Your legal representatives can move the case along efficiently. Another consideration is the severity of your injuries. Some cases are relatively simple. In such cases, a settlement can often be reached in a few weeks.
If injuries are severe or damages are extensive, the claim may be for millions of dollars. In such cases, the defendant may deliberately prolong a case hoping to beat the claim down. U.S. Government Statistics show that only five percent of personal injury cases go to court. The other 95% are settled out of court. Personal injury cases can drag on for years. They can also be settled very quickly.
Your settlement may be delayed because the case is for large damages. This tends to make insurance companies drag their heels. They hope that prolonging the case will make you prepared to settle for less. How eager or reluctant insurance companies are to pay varies. It is also dependent on the advice their attorneys are giving them.
How Much Can Expect to Receive?
Personal injury cases are complicated. Compensation is based on your personal situation and your potential losses. Both your attorney and that of the insurance company often disagree on the compensation you deserve.
Your goal is to ensure that you can return to full physical, mental, and economic independence. The definition of what these were before your accident is often in contention.
Ryan Hilts: Oregon Injury Attorney
It is essential that you hire an attorney who specializes in personal injury cases. You need a lawyer who can guide you through the process of settlement. Personal injury lawyers like Ryan Hilts Attorney at Law are dedicated to personal injury law. It is their goal to get you the best settlement so you can get on with your life.
Ryan Hilts is licensed to practice law in both Washington and Oregon states. He was named a rising star by Super Lawyers Magazine. Portland Monthly Magazine declared him one of Oregon’s top personal injury attorneys. With over fifteen years of successful personal injury law experience, Ryan Hilts has gained notoriety for getting fair settlements for his clients. He has also demonstrated a caring attitude and a willingness to listen to his client’s unique needs.
If you have questions or concerns about a personal injury case, contact Ryan Hilts Attorney at Law to discuss how to speed up settlement and payouts.
