Why Is My Car Accident Settlement Taking So Long?

Most car accident claims take months or years to settle. Unfortunately, no two car accident claims are alike. Similarly, personal injury laws have no time limit on determining car accident claims.

As such, some car accident victims receive compensation quickly after initiating a claim, while others struggle to settle. Many factors affect car accident settlement, often resulting in delays.

“I’ve dedicated my entire life to helping our clients receive full compensation for their injuries.”

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Gary Burger

Litigation attorney

If you’re facing mounting medical bills and the prospect of a lengthy treatment, a quick settlement might not help. If you accept the first offer, there’s a chance it might not cover the cost of treatment and other injury-related losses.

Instead of wondering why your car accident settlement is taking so long, speak to our trusted St. Louis car crash attorneys who can guide you on expediting your car accident claim.

Why Some Car Accident Claims Take Longer Than Others

Liability Is in Dispute

If the at-fault party has denied liability, the resolution to your car accident claim might drag on. Settlement may only occur once they accept liability or the court rules in your favor. If you file a lawsuit, your attorney may have to compile evidence to support your claim and provide a defense against the at-fault party.

Severe Injuries

The settlement will drag on longer if you sustain severe injuries in a car accident. It is impossible to agree on a suitable settlement if you’re still receiving treatment for your injuries. Usually, an attorney may advise you to wait for maximum medical improvement before filing a claim.

Waiting before filing an insurance claim results in a more accurate valuation of your injuries. A doctor can also tell whether you’ll require long-term care for your injury.

Here are a few examples of severe injuries that cause delays in your settlement:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injuries
• Limb loss
• Facial deformities
• Bone fracture
• Severe organ damage
• Severe burns

A Substantial Settlement Is at Stake

Insurance companies are profit-making companies and may want to minimize the payouts as much as possible. They, therefore, have multiple delaying tactics, including poking holes in your claim.

If you disagree with their proposal, they’ll hire an experienced attorney to protect their interest in court. You may need to wait a little longer as your attorney fights back and pushes for fair compensation for your losses.

The Lawyer Disputed the First Proposal

Check with your lawyer if they have disputed the first settlement proposal made by the insurer. An attorney will likely accept a fair settlement proposal that will cater to their fees, medical lien, and injury-related losses.

If an attorney has initiated negotiations, reaching an agreement could also affect how soon you’ll receive compensation.

Speak to an Experienced Car Accident Attorney Today

A delay in obtaining a settlement can affect your quest for quality treatment. Similary, settling too soon can cause you to leave money on the table. You must, therefore, strike a delicate balance to obtain a fair settlement amount for your losses.

At Burger Law, our car accident attorneys have a proven track record of obtaining hefty settlement amounts for injured victims.

Contact us online for a free case evaluation.

Gary Burger

Founder | Injury Attorney
Gary Burger has dedicated his career to standing up against bullies. The founder and principal attorney of Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer has helped hundreds of Missouri and Illinois individuals and families recover th …
Years of experience: 30 years
Location: St. Louis, MO

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