One of the most common questions Chicago injury victims ask is, “How long do personal injury cases take to settle?” Some personal injury cases settle in a few weeks or months, while others can take a year or more to settle, depending on the circumstances of the case.

To find out the likely length of your personal injury case based on the case details, call Smoler Law Office at 312-332-9800 today.

What Factors Impact the Timeline of My Case?

Several factors impact the length of the settlement process, including liability complexity, severity of injuries, type of case, and the willingness of the at-fault party’s insurer to negotiate.

Issues With Fault or Liability

Determining fault is one of the most critical steps in the injury settlement process. When fault can’t be clearly established, both parties are partly at fault, or multiple parties are involved, a personal injury case could take longer to resolve due to the need for more time to sort out liability and protracted settlement negotiations.

Severity of Injuries

More severe injuries like internal bleeding and catastrophic injuries usually lead to extensive medical treatment and longer settlement timelines. There were 7,230 serious injury crashes in Illinois in 2022.

Type of Claim

There are different types of personal injury claims, including car accidents, slip and fall accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, and a third party personal injury claim for a work accident. Cases like product liability and medical malpractice claims are usually more complex and take longer to settle than simpler ones.

The Insurance Company’s Willingness to Compromise and Settle

The insurer may drag out the process to pressure you into accepting a low settlement offer. If the insurer refuses to agree to a satisfactory settlement, you may have to file a lawsuit in court to pursue fair compensation. Filing a lawsuit can extend the timeline.

The discovery phase is an integral part of the lawsuit process. After the phase, the insurance company may be incentivized to settle your case for a fair amount. Therefore, how long the discovery process takes in a personal injury case will affect the timeline of your case.

Hire a Personal Injury Attorney

A personal injury attorney can help your case conclude efficiently and faster. By gathering and preserving evidence promptly, filing the necessary paperwork in a timely manner, and building a strong case, an attorney can help expedite the settlement negotiation process. Personal injury attorneys can use their negotiation skills effectively to present your case compellingly and reach a fair settlement agreement, helping you avoid a lengthy trial process.

The Chicago personal injury attorneys at Smoler Law Office are ready to answer the question “How long do personal injury cases take to settle?” and other questions you may have in detail. Contact us today for a free consultation.