I was in an accident in Shreveport, Louisiana. My insurance company offered me a settlement that I’m not pleased with, but I don’t feel like waiting forever to get my money. How long does it take to complete a personal injury claim? When will I get my compensation?
Now that you have decided to make a claim, the one question that you may ask yourself is, “How long will it be before my claim is completed?” This is a very good question. The answer to this question is that the time it takes to complete personal injury claims will vary from case to case.
Every Case Is Unique, So, Therefore, the Duration of Every Case Is Unique
Every person is unique, every injury is unique, and every case is unique. This means there will be factors in your case that make it different from other claims stemming from the same accident or with similar injuries. There is no way to know how long it could take to settle your claim without first identifying and understanding these factors.
First, you must consider your injuries, treatment, and how long it takes you to recover. Normally, you will begin treatment for your injuries as soon as possible after your accident. This therapy could continue for days, weeks, or months.
The ultimate goal is to return you to 100% health. You should never settle your case before you have become completely pain-free or you have a good understanding of your prognosis and future care needs.
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Never Settle Your Personal Injury Case Until You Have Entirely Recovered
If your doctor believes you will make a full recovery, you should wait until you do so to settle your claim. However, this does not mean you have to wait to begin the process. You can connect with a personal injury law firm in Shreveport as soon as your injuries allow after the crash. The firm’s attorneys can begin their investigation and gather evidence to support your claim.
At the point in time when you have fully recovered from your injuries, your attorney will submit documentation of your injury to the insurance company, and negotiate the best settlement possible to compensate you for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
When you have been presented with an acceptable offer, the insurance company will send your attorney a check and a release. This release means that you have accepted the check as full compensation for all the damages you suffered in the accident. You will sign the release, and then the full amount of the check is paid out to you, your attorney, and your medical bills. Now your personal injury claim is complete.
Be Aware of Other Factors that Can Affect Your Claim’s Timeline
Other factors will also play a role in determining how long it takes to settle your Louisiana personal injury claim. They could push your case forward more quickly or slow it down significantly. However, it is unlikely that you will have much control over these factors if you want to secure a fair settlement.
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Investigations Can Take Time
In some cases, especially when injuries are relatively minor, you may reach your full medical recovery before the law firm can complete its investigation into your accident. This is because certain aspects of investigations can take time. This could include:
- Obtaining police reports and medical records
- Hiring and meeting with experts
- Analyzing medical records
- Getting access to evidence that other parties hold
Accusations of Shared Fault Can Slow Down a Case
If the at-fault party or others involved accuse you of contributing to your accident and injuries, it can slow down the case. This serious accusation must be handled carefully, or it could damage your claim. Under La. Civ. Code Art. 2323, the amount you can recover in your personal injury case will go down by the percentage of fault assigned to you.
This means that if you have $10,000 in expenses and losses but were 20 percent responsible for causing your injuries, you could receive only $8,000 in your financial compensation. This could leave you holding thousands in medical bills and other accident-related expenses.
Deadlines Apply to Lawsuits in Most Personal Injury Cases
There are also deadlines you must meet to protect your right to hold the at-fault party legally responsible. In Louisiana, you generally only have up to one year to sue under La. Civ. Code Art. 3492. This means you will need to reach a settlement within a year of the accident or begin a lawsuit. Under some circumstances, shorter deadlines may apply. We can review your accident and let you know the timeline you have.
Speak with an Attorney From Morris Bart, LLC, for Free
If you would like to file a personal injury claim in Shreveport, hire a Morris Bart attorney today. At the Morris Bart law firm, we provide complimentary consultations and represent injured accident victims based on a contingency fee.
Call (800) 537-8185 to get started with your free case review with one of our attorneys.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
