The initial impact of a traffic accident may be the beginning of a long and painful process of recovering from physical injuries and attempting to settle an accident claim. Depending on your injuries, you could face months or years of physical pain, emotional stress, and financial losses. In many cases, the financial losses are the factor that pushes accident victims to settle the injury claim quickly. The timeframe to settle a claim is often impacted by the need to replace lost wages and recover money for medical bills and other out-of-pocket expenses.
However, settling an accident claim quickly or without the assistance of a New Orleans accident lawyer can result in the loss of thousands of dollars in settlement proceeds. It can be tempting to accept a quick payment from an insurance adjuster, but we strongly recommend that you speak with one of our attorneys first. We understand you may be short on funds and you may be struggling to pay living expenses and make ends meet.
With a free consultation, you can get the advice you need without being under any obligation to hire our firm or accept our advice. You deserve to know your options and your legal rights before making any decisions.
How Long Should the Process Take to Settle My Car Accident Claim?
Each case is different. The timeline for settling a car accident claim depends on several factors. Our NOLA accident lawyers work diligently to settle claims as quickly as possible. However, we also work to ensure that you receive the largest settlement possible for your claim.
A simple injury claim may be settled within a short period. However, several factors lengthen the time it takes to settle a car accident claim.
Type and Severity of Your Injuries Can Impact the Timeframe for Settling Cases
You never want to settle your accident claim until you know the full extent of your injuries. Settling a car accident claim before you complete treatment and receive an impairment rating results in lower settlement amounts.
You are entitled to compensation for permanent impairments and disabilities, but you cannot know the extent of any permanent injury until your doctor completes your treatment. Therefore, the timeline for your car accident case heavily depends on your injuries.
Complicated Cases Involving Disputed Liability May Also Impact the Timeframe
Before an insurance provider pays a claim, it must accept that its insured driver was responsible for causing the crash. If liability for the crash is in dispute, it could take months to complete an accident investigation to determine the cause of the crash and gather evidence proving the other driver was responsible. In some cases, it may be necessary to retain experts to help prove the other driver caused the crash.
Quick Settlements vs. Fair Settlements
Many other factors could impact the timeframe for your car accident claim, including the attorney that you hire to handle your claim. Our legal team has the experience, knowledge, skills, and resources to handle all types of accident claims effectively and efficiently. We work to protect your best interests.
Learn more about car accident claims and timelines for settling claims by contacting, Attorney Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm at (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 to schedule a free legal consultation with a NOLA car accident attorney.