We understand that you’re eager to receive your settlement after an accident. Undoubtedly, you’ve got medical bills to pay, and you may even be out of work. So, it may be hard to understand why your claim is taking so long. What’s the deal? And when will you see your money?
In this brief post, we’ll explain a bit about the time involved in a personal injury claim. We’ll also share our thoughts on steps you can take if you find yourself in a financial hardship.
Completing your Treatment is Essential!
At first, the claims process may feel like it’s moving along quickly. You had the accident. You called the insurance company. You hired a lawyer. You talked to the paralegal. Then, the activity dies down. What’s going on?
Chances are, you’ve entered the “treatment phase.” During this phase, you’re healing, recovering, and getting all the follow-up care you need. This could mean going to your doctor, physical therapist, or chiropractor. It could also look like waiting several weeks post-surgery to see how you heal.
During this phase, it’s important that you make those appointments. Also, let your lawyer know if there’s any change to your treatment or injuries.
Don’t Rush the Treatment Phase
It’s critical to your case that you complete your treatment. It’s only at that point that you will realize the full extent of your injuries and the medical costs involved.
What if you’ve suffered a permanent injury? That will be made clearer if you went through several months of treatment.
Your medical bills and doctor reports will be powerful evidence that your lawyer can use to put together a demand package for the insurance company.
Patience in the Negotiations Process
It’s also possible that negotiations could stall, and your lawyer will suggest you file a lawsuit against the insurance company. This will certainly delay things further for you, but it could mean a substantially more money. Make sure to discuss the potential pros and cons with your lawyer.
If You’re Facing a Financial Hardship
Even though you know patience matters – you may be in a financial situation that makes it difficult to hold out for very long.
The best thing you can do is to let your lawyer know. Tell them what bills are pressing. It’s possible they may have suggestions for you. For instance, they may be able to recommend medical providers who will work with your situation.
Your lawyer can also balance the knowledge of your situation with the negotiation process to strike a balance.
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, there’s no set timeframe for settling a personal injury case. However, most cases take at least several months to resolve. Most of that time will be your treatment phase.
Transparency with your lawyer and their team is essential. They will likely have worked with many other clients in similar financial situations and may be able to suggest ideas you’d not thought of.
If you’d like to speak to a lawyer about an accident you were injured in, please feel free to reach out to our team. We always offer free case evaluations.
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