How Long Does It Take To Get a Settlement After My Auto Accident?
One of the main questions our attorneys get from clients involved in motor vehicle accidents is “When do I get paid”.
This is a more complex question than it sounds. First of all, you need to understand that after most accidents we will be dealing with different types of insurance.
The first that we will discuss is the insurance from the other driver. If the accident is the fault of the other driver, we will make a demand to their insurance carrier to pay for the damage to your vehicle, your medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.
We usually do not make the demand until after you have completed your medical treatment. Once you have been released by your medical provider, we will compile your medical bills, lost wages and any other damages that you have suffered and send a demand to the insurance company. This starts a negotiation back and forth to settle your demand.
If a settlement can not be reached, we have to file the claim in court. The claim can be settled any time the parties reach an agreement, or could go all the way to trial or beyond. This means that it take from three months after you stop treatment up to three to four years after your accident.
The next claim you may have is your own Under Insured Motorist policy. If the other drivers insurance policy does not cover all of your damages and your policy includes UIM, we can pursue this claim. We can not pursue your UIM claim until after the liability claim has been resolved.
Finally, most of our insurance policies carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP). You may have PIP and if you are a passenger, and your driver may have PIP that we can make a claim against. PIP is paid for lost wages or medical treatment expenses. Your PIP claim can be pursued at anytime after you have damages. This can be done up to four years after your accident.
As you can see, it is unlikely that you will receive any check for your damages quickly. But, if handled the right way, you can get your money shortly after you complete your medical treatment.