If you or someone you love has been involved in a pedestrian accident, you may be wondering about the timeline for resolving such cases.
While each pedestrian accident case is unique and can be influenced by various factors, understanding the general process and typical timeframes can provide some clarity during this challenging time. The settlement timeframe for a pedestrian accident can range anywhere from a few months to a few years depending on the willingness of the parties to negotiate a fair settlement. If litigation is required a longer settlement timeframe can usually be expected.
In this blog post, we will explore the factors that can impact the duration of settling a pedestrian accident case and provide insights into what to expect during the process. Remember, consulting a knowledgeable personal injury attorney can greatly assist in navigating the complexities of your specific case.
The Initial Investigation
The timeline for settling a pedestrian accident case begins with the initial investigation. This includes gathering evidence, investigation, interviewing witnesses, reviewing police reports, and assessing the extent of your injuries and property damage. The duration of this phase can vary depending on the complexity of the accident and the availability of crucial information.
Completing Medical Treatment
For pedestrian accident victims, the focus should be on receiving proper medical treatment and reaching a state of Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). Maximum Medical Improvement is the point at which the injured person’s condition has stabilized, or their recovery has plateaued and can also be the point at which your prognosis and future medical expenses can be more fully known. Depending on the severity of your injuries, settling a case before reaching MMI may not fully account for the long-term effects of your injuries, and result in receiving insufficient financial compensation for your injuries. As a result, the duration of medical treatment and the time it takes to reach maximum medical improvement can significantly impact the overall settlement timeline, especially in serious injury cases.
Evaluating Damages
A thorough evaluation of damages is critical in any personal injury case. This includes calculating medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, future damages, and any other relevant losses incurred due to the accident. Determining the full extent of damages can take time, especially when considering long-term or permanent injuries and when serious injuries are involved. Rushing this can result in settling your case for far less than it is worth.
Negotiations with Insurance Companies
After gathering evidence and evaluating damages, the negotiation process with insurance companies begins. Insurance adjusters may attempt to minimize settlements, so having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side can be invaluable. Negotiations can take several weeks or months, depending on the complexity of the case and the willingness of the insurance company to offer a fair settlement.
Filing a Lawsuit
In some cases, negotiations with the insurance company may not lead to a satisfactory resolution. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, filing a lawsuit may become necessary. Lawsuits can prolong the settlement process, as they involve court procedures, legal filings, and discovery. However, many cases are still settled before going to trial, as most parties resolve cases in the litigation process.
Trial and Resolution
If a settlement cannot be reached during negotiations or pre-trial proceedings, the case will proceed to trial. The duration of the trial can vary, depending on court schedules, the complexity of the case, and other factors. Following the trial, a resolution will be reached either through a jury verdict or a settlement agreement between the parties.
Conclusion
The time it takes to settle a pedestrian accident case can vary significantly based on the individual circumstances of your case. Factors such as the extent of injuries, the duration of medical treatment, amount of responsible parties involved, the thoroughness of investigations, and negotiations with insurance companies all contribute to the overall timeline. While some cases may be resolved in a few months, others can take a year or more. It’s essential to be patient and work closely with an experienced personal injury attorney who can advocate for your rights and seek a fair settlement that compensates you for your injuries and damages.
We Offer Injured Pedestrian Accident Victims a Free Consultation and Work on a Contingency Fee Basis. There is No Fee Unless We Recover Financial Compensation For You.
We understand that attorney’s fees are a leading cause of victims not seeking the legal representation they desperately need. That’s why we work on our client’s cases on a contingency fee arrangement. Clients pay nothing upfront.
Our legal fees are calculated based on a percentage of the compensation we recover for you. That means that if there is no compensation recovered for you, there is no fee, and you owe us nothing.
We want everyone who has been seriously injured to be able to access high-quality legal counsel for their personal injury case, and we have helped countless accident victims recover compensation for their injuries.
Contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
The general information provided on this website should not be considered legal advice and does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice, you should consult directly with an attorney. If you contact us by telephone, email, letter, or by contact form submission through this website, please note that such communication does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship. We cannot act as your attorney until we are hired as your attorney by a formal written agreement.
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