What Factors Go into the Timing of a Car Accident Settlement?

Some of the critical factors that may extend the timeline of your North Carolina car accident settlement include: * The extent of your injuries – If your injuries are relatively minor, you may not require much in the way of professional medical care, and your claim may be relatively inexpensive. However, if you have severe injuries that require extensive and costly medical care, you could have a large claim. Insurance companies generally dislike paying out large settlements, so this could make it more difficult and time-consuming to pursue the compensation you deserve. * How long you take to recover – In most cases, you must fully recover or reach a state of maximum medical improvement before your medical expenses become clear. If your injuries take a long time to heal, your claim could be delayed for months or even years. * Who was at fault for the accident – If the other driver was obviously at fault, demonstrating their liability for the accident may be relatively simple. However, if it’s not clear who was responsible or multiple parties were involved in the wreck, you may encounter setbacks while investigators review the evidence and determine who was at fault.

How Long Does a North Carolina Car Accident Case Take?

Published November 9, 2021 by The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A.

If you suffered injuries in a North Carolina car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you could be eligible to pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. If successful, you could recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other personal and financial losses related to the crash.

The financial strain in the aftermath of a car accident may lead you to wonder how long you’ll have to wait to receive a settlement and get the money you need. This article will discuss the factors that could impact the timing of your car accident settlement and how an attorney can help.

Contact us today for a free initial consultation to learn more about how The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A., can support you as you seek fair compensation.

What Factors Go into the Timing of a North Carolina Car Accident Settlement?

Some of the critical factors that may extend the timeline of your North Carolina car accident settlement include:

The extent of your injuries – If your injuries are relatively minor, you may not require much in the way of professional medical care, and your claim may be relatively inexpensive. However, if you have severe injuries that require extensive and costly medical care, you could have a large claim. Insurance companies generally dislike paying out large settlements, so this could make it more difficult and time-consuming to pursue the compensation you deserve.
How long you take to recover – In most cases, you must fully recover or reach a state of maximum medical improvement before your medical expenses become clear. If your injuries take a long time to heal, your claim could be delayed for months or even years.
Who was at fault for the accident – If the other driver was obviously at fault, demonstrating their liability for the accident may be relatively simple. However, if it’s not clear who was responsible or multiple parties were involved in the wreck, you may encounter setbacks while investigators review the evidence and determine who was at fault.

Similar to other states, North Carolina has definitive time limits on how long you have to file a car accident lawsuit. As a general rule, you have three years from the accident’s date to file your claim.

Is Fast Always Better with North Carolina Car Accident Settlements?

Generally speaking, no. In most car accident cases, taking a quick settlement means accepting less money than you deserve. Insurance companies often offer a quick lowball settlement in hopes that you will be too desperate to realize you are entitled to more.

Don’t fall for this underhanded tactic. Once you accept the insurance company’s settlement offer, you can’t return later and ask for more money. That means if you incur unexpected medical expenses after you settle, you will not be able to file any claims for additional compensation, even if you have irrefutable proof that the bills are related to the accident.

As you pursue your car accident claim, only you can decide whether a settlement offer is genuinely fair and adequate for your needs. A lawyer can help you calculate a reasonable value for your claim, evaluate any settlement offers you receive and negotiate fiercely for as long as it takes to ensure you are compensated fairly.

What Should I Do If the Insurance Company Tries to Get Me to Settle?

You are not obligated to accept any settlement offer that does meet your needs. Just because the insurance adjuster tells you it’s the best they can do does not necessarily mean you are out of options.

If you receive a low settlement offer, remain calm and polite, even if you believe the insurance company is acting in bad faith. Avoid letting emotions cloud your judgment and analyze the offer thoroughly. Get help from an attorney who can point out deficiencies or oversights in the settlement offer.

Once you’ve reviewed the offer, ask targeted questions to determine how the adjuster made their calculations. Their answers can help you decide whether specific points are worth arguing over and how you could structure your counteroffer.

Lawyer consultation regarding insurance on car accident. When you are ready to respond, have your attorney communicate with the adjuster on your behalf or prepare a written response. Negotiating in writing will help you keep track of each stage of your correspondence and may be helpful if you end up going to court.

What Happens If We Don’t Settle the Claim?

The vast majority of all car accident claims end in successful settlements without ever going to trial. However, you are not guaranteed a fair settlement offer from the insurance company. If the other driver’s insurance provider refuses to budge from an inadequate settlement offer, you may have no other option but to take your claim to court.

If you do end up going to trial, both you and the other side will have opportunities to present your cases in front of a judge or jury. Your attorney can submit valuable evidence, interview credible witnesses, and present compelling arguments to support your claim.

After both parties have presented evidence and arguments for their respective claims, the judge or jury will determine who was at fault for the wreck. Then, they will decide whether or not to award compensation to the other party and how much money should be awarded.

How Can a North Carolina Lawyer Help Me with My Claim?

If you were injured in a North Carolina car accident, a knowledgeable car accident attorney can help you claim fair compensation for your losses by:

Explaining your legal rights and the laws that apply to your case
Calculating the full extent of your accident-related losses
Conducting an independent and thorough investigation of the accident
Identifying and preserving evidence
Determining who was at fault
Communicating with insurance companies and other parties on your behalf
Negotiating aggressively to maximize the value of your settlement
Taking your case to trial if the insurer refuses to make a reasonable offer

Visit Our Car Accident Injury Law Offices

Get Help from an Experienced North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer

At The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A., we are dedicated to helping North Carolina injury victims pursue justice and fair compensation. Contact us today to get help from our compassionate team in a free initial case review.x