How Long Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Case Take?
After a car accident, there is a lot of trauma to process, but once the dust settles and you have chosen to move forward with a personal injury lawyer, you might start to wonder, “how long does a car accident lawsuit take?” There are many factors to consider including the complexity of the case, injuries, your lawyer, the insurance company, and much more. The average time for litigation is 1 to 3 years from the date of the lawsuit filed to the settlement or trial. The fact that it can take months or years for a settlement is scary to many which is why it is critical to hire a law firm with experience in this area of litigation.
As a client of The Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A., we work swiftly to assign you to an experienced team of paralegals and assistants who are managed by our attorneys. Your team will be dedicated to evaluating all aspects of your auto accident personal injury claim, from investigating the physical evidence, reviewing the police report, and personally consulting eyewitnesses. Some common cases include:
- Reckless Driving
- Breaking Traffic Laws
- Careless Pedestrians
- Drug-Impaired Driving
- Tired Driving
- Distracted Driving
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Drunk Driving
Our goal is a quick settlement with the maximum amount of compensation for your suffering. We answer all your questions, so you are not left wondering, “how long does a car accident lawsuit take.” Another key component in the timeline of your personal injury claim is your medical treatment and medical bills. Car accidents can cause severe and significant injuries to all parties involved including the driver, passengers, or other victims. Here is a short list of some of the most common injury cases our law firm sees in a typical car accident:
- Bruises, Cuts, and Scrapes
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Whiplash
- Muscle Sprains
- Fractures, Broken Bones
- Disfigurement
- Jaw, Chest, Rib, and Pelvic Damage
- Crushed Trachea/Larynx
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Broken Neck
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Paralysis
- Severe Burns
- Permanent Sensory Deprivation (Vision, Hearing, etc)
Your injuries will dictate what medical professionals you will need to see and what treatment will be necessary for your healing and health. In extreme cases, surgery may be necessary which prolongs this process. All of this is a factor into not only the amount of time your case will take but the settlement negotiations. If you have been hurt in a car accident, the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. may be able to help you get the compensation that you are entitled to. Motor vehicle accident personal injury compensation may include:
- Hospital & Medical Bills
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
- Cost of Future Care
Understanding the Timeline of a Lawsuit
Your personal injury lawsuit will be broken down into four different sections, all of which contribute to the overall timeline of the settlement of your case. To get the settlement resolved and the maximum amount for your medical bills, lost wages, future care and pain and suffering, it is critical that your attorneys follow the process thoroughly.
The timeline consists of:
- Lawsuit Preparation and Filing
- Discovery Phase
- Mediation/Setting of Trial Date
- Trial and Possible Appeal
Below we will go into detail on each step of how long a car accident lawsuit takes, the process, and know each one is critical for our team of auto accident personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. to get you the maximum amount of compensation possible but helping you recover from your injuries, so your life can get back to normal as soon as possible.
Step One of the Timeline- Lawsuit Preparation and Filing
The first part of the timeline of your case is Lawsuit Preparation and Filing. This occurs after you have chosen the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. to represent you; we will develop our attorney-client relationship by meeting with your team of attorneys and paralegals. After the case is analyzed, it will ultimately need to be approved by Mr. Goldenfarb. The suit will be revised, filed, and delivered to the insurance company.
Step Two of the Timeline- Discovery Phase
Next, we will move on to the discovery phase where the client will meet with their legal team to respond to interrogations from the Defendant’s insurance company and produce any information necessary for the team. The longest part of this phase is the sworn deposition which will take place at our offices and likely will take an entire day. Finally, any additional depositions will be taken as needed to gather substantial information.
Step Three of the Timeline- Mediation/Setting of Trial Date
The third step involves the judge providing a trial date for the case which could be a few days or a few weeks, depending on the case. At this time, the Settlement Conference will take place which is necessary for the case to move forward. The date of this settlement conference will most likely be one to four months prior to the trial date.
Step Four of the Timeline- Trial and Possible Appeal
The final step is the trial itself which will require the client and, if applicable, their spouse to be present for the entire trial. Winning the trial, though it is the desired outcome, will most likely lead to an appeal on behalf of the Defendant’s insurance company. This prolongs the timeline on average another 1-2 years. The other option is for the case to be reversed which will most likely lead to it being retired.
What Are Your Next Steps?
This information might leave you feeling frustrated and confused but at our personal injury law firm, you are our client, and that makes you the most important person in our firm. Our job is to alleviate all of these concerns and more, so you can focus on your job, which is to medically treat your auto accident injuries so you don’t develop permanent, life-long pain or discomfort. Don’t become overwhelmed by the pain, aggravation, and worry that follows a car accident. Instead, turn to our expert lawyers; get started with us today.