Many people want to know how long their car accident case is going to last; it’s often one of the first questions they ask. This is understandable, as people are facing time off work and medical bills. They want to know how long it’s going to take for them to get some money coming into their pocket.
The honest answer is that it depends on your case, but there are certain factors that determine whether a claim takes a few months, a year, or longer. Understanding them will give you a realistic picture of your own timeline.
Contact our firm to pursue compensation after a car crash in St. Louis.
Call (314) 300-6260.
The Biggest Factor Is Your Recovery
More than anything else, the length of your case depends on the length of your medical treatment. A claim generally shouldn’t settle until you’ve reached what doctors call maximum medical improvement, which is the point where your condition has stabilized and your future care needs are known.
If you settle while you’re still recovering, you’re guessing at what your injuries will cost, and if you guess too low, there’s no going back for more later. That means someone who fully recovers in six weeks can resolve their claim much sooner than someone facing surgery, months of physical therapy, or a permanent injury.
Other Factors That Affect the Timeline
Beyond your medical recovery, a few things commonly speed a case up or slow it down.
Disputed Fault
When the insurance company contests who caused the crash, this tends to slow the case down quite a bit. The investigation takes longer because more evidence has to be gathered and analyzed, and settlement negotiations get harder because the insurer uses this to justify lower offers. In Missouri, where your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, insurers have a financial incentive to drag out these arguments. A case with clear liability will move much faster than one that is being disputed.
The Size of the Claim
Larger claims tend to take longer because there’s more at stake. When a case involves serious injuries and significant money, the insurance company scrutinizes everything more closely. They’ll likely bring in their own experts to challenge the extent of your injuries or the cost of your future care. A claim worth a few thousand dollars might get processed quickly, while a claim worth hundreds of thousands will be examined much more thoroughly.
Multiple Parties or Insurance Policies
Crashes involving several vehicles, commercial trucks, government vehicles, or rideshare drivers add layers to the process. Each additional party brings its own insurance company, its own version of events, and its own lawyers, and fault often has to be divided among them before anyone agrees to pay. Sorting out which policies apply and in what order takes time even when everyone cooperates.
Whether a Lawsuit Is Filed
If negotiations don’t lead to a settlement and a lawsuit becomes necessary, the timeline can be extended significantly. Litigation involves formal discovery, depositions, and court schedules that can be very slow. Filing a lawsuit doesn’t always mean the case goes to trial, as settlements can still happen. But when a trial is part of the outcome, this extends the case significantly.
Ultimately, the timeline depends on the specific facts of the case, but a straightforward claim with clear fault, minor injuries, and a cooperative insurer might settle within a few months of finishing treatment. A case with significant injuries or any real dispute often takes six months to a year or more. If a lawsuit becomes necessary, expect the process to take even longer, maybe a year or two.
If you want an honest assessment of how long your case is likely to take and what it should resolve for, we can help.
Call today at (314) 300-6260 to schedule a free consultation.