Car accident cases can take just a few weeks, or they can take more than a year, depending on several factors. The severity or complexity of an accident can have a big impact. If you have been injured in a car accident, you should contact car accident attorneys in Abeline to make sure you are getting what you deserve. Even if the insurance company seems to be paying all your bills, it is still a good idea to have an attorney look the case over to make sure you are getting all the compensation you are entitled to.
While an insurance adjuster is in the business of paying claims, keep in mind that they also need to keep costs down. They may be looking for ways to pay you less than they should for your injuries. If you suspect you are not being treated fairly, you should contact an attorney and get help with your case. Insurance companies are more likely to pay more when they know you have legal representation.
Most cases never go to court. It is estimated as many as 95 percent of all civil cases are settled before they get to court. If both sides can agree to a fair settlement, settling without going to court saves time and energy for everyone.
These types of cases can be handled in a few weeks and you can be compensated in a fairly short amount of time. There are a lot of variables. Some of the things that affect how easy or hard your case include:
- How much insurance is available?
- How many cars were involved?
- Whether there were a lot of injuries
- the severity of injuries.
You may still need an attorney to look over your settlement, even if you seem ready to settle out of court. When it comes to figuring out how much to pay you, you can bet the insurance companies will consult their attorneys. It is a good idea then to have your own attorney represent you when your settlement is negotiated.
The first offer given by the insurance company will be low as they try to save money. A good lawyer can help negotiate a settlement that is fair to you and that compensates for your injuries.
If there were more than two parties involved in the accident, it may take a little longer to negotiate. The more parties involved, the more complicated the case gets. Even this type of complication will not take as long as a lawsuit will take.
If you do have to go to court, the case could take a year or even longer. There will be lengthy investigations by all sides involved. You will have to go to court many times most likely. Going to trial is a last resort, but the insurance company needs to know that you are willing to go to court and that your attorney will fight for you there. Insurance companies do not want to go to court. They have seen how large some awards can be. Once the insurance company is convinced you will go to court, you will get your best offer.
Negotiations can also continue during a trial and still be settled before the case ends. The longer the case goes, the more expense your attorney will incur, which will come out of what you get as a result of the lawsuit. You also need an attorney that is willing to go to court, and one who has been there before and won.
There are also cases where the injury does not show up right away. Sometimes it is months before you get a condition that the accident caused or contributed to. These cases are harder to prove, but it can still be done. In most states, you have two years after the accident to file your suit.
Injury car accidents can cause health problems that last for years, or even the rest of your life. Bills can add up even if you have insurance as you pay co-pays and deductibles. Missing work because of an injury is also something you should be compensated for. Car accident attorneys have the expertise to know what all you may be entitled to as a car accident victim.
Some losses are also hard to measure. Things like emotional trauma, as well as pain and suffering, are hard to measure but still damage that should be compensated for. For this type of loss you need an attorney even more. Pain and suffering is hard to prove, but it is a loss that should not be ignored.
If you have been injured in an automobile accident, it is in your interests to at least consult with a car accident lawyer. The initial consultation is free, and the attorney can give you some directions. Also, in this type of case, attorneys are only paid if they win. If you have been injured, you have nothing to lose by contacting an attorney, and you may have a lot to win.
