{"id":123,"date":"2023-06-02T21:42:34","date_gmt":"2023-06-02T21:42:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.themejialawfirm.com\/?p=123"},"modified":"2024-04-01T17:42:11","modified_gmt":"2024-04-01T17:42:11","slug":"auto-accident-settlement-timeline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themejialawfirm.com\/blog\/auto-accident-settlement-timeline\/","title":{"rendered":"Auto Accident Settlement Timeline"},"content":{"rendered":"
There is no set timeline for an auto accident claim. No two cases are quite the same. Because there are so many factors unique to each case, a car accident claim can take a few weeks, months, or even years to finally reach a resolution.<\/p>\n
Simpler cases can usually be settled relatively quickly, while more complex cases require more time. It is generally only the cases that can\u2019t reach an out-of-court settlement\u2014and must go to trial through a personal injury lawsuit\u2014that will take up to a year or more to be finalized.<\/p>\n
Instead of an exact timeline, you can expect a general progression of events that must take place. Certain factors will affect how quickly each of these steps can be completed.<\/p>\n
Factors that can impact the length of time required to settle a motor vehicle accident claim include:<\/p>\n
Below are the basic steps to expect in the auto accident settlement timeline. There are always exceptions to the rule, but you can generally anticipate that you and your lawyer will need to go through the following five steps.<\/p>\n
In Texas, motorists must carry auto insurance coverage. Most policies require you to report any accident immediately, although the exact amount of time you have to report your crash may vary depending on your provider and policy terms.<\/p>\n
Texas law<\/a> requires all vehicle owners to carry auto liability insurance of at least these minimum amounts:<\/p>\n Be careful not to admit fault or discuss liability when you report the crash. These details are not clear yet. Simply state the facts of the accident and inform the insurance adjuster that you are seeking medical treatment and that your attorney will be in touch.<\/p>\n Your lawyer will need to investigate to identify the at-fault motorist and their insurance provider. If there are multiple liable parties, the driver was uninsured or underinsured, or you were injured in a hit-and-run accident, your case will become more complicated.<\/p>\n Before you can request compensation from the liable party\u2019s insurance company, you need to figure out exactly how much you are owed. This usually involves waiting to see how long you need to treat your injuries until you fully recover or reach MMI. The more severe your injuries, the longer this process will take.<\/p>\n A person\u2019s life can be impacted in various ways by an auto accident. You may be out of work, you may need to find child care services while you recover, or you may be experiencing mental health challenges following your crash. All these and many other factors will impact your compensation award.<\/p>\n Your attorney must have a full understanding of the various economic and noneconomic ways your life was altered by your accident\u2014so they can ask for maximum compensation to cover all your losses. If you try to settle too quickly, you may not know about an added medical complication, for example, that could arise a few weeks after your initial injury and require ongoing treatment.<\/p>\n Damages in auto crash cases that may necessitate compensation include:<\/p>\n Once your injuries have reached a stable point and your lawyer has calculated a fair and reasonable settlement amount, the next step is to notify the insurance company.<\/p>\n This is usually done with a legal document called a demand letter. Your attorney will write and send a demand letter that specifies how much compensation you are requesting. Included will be arguments for why the company is liable for compensation, the facts of the collision, why you are entitled to the compensation amount requested, and supporting evidence.<\/p>\n There is a mandatory format and required provisions for a legal document like a demand letter, so your legal advocate can craft the demand letter on your behalf and have you approve the details.<\/p>\n Many times, the insurance company will not agree to the amount specified in the demand letter. This will open the negotiation period. The company will argue for a lower amount, often demanding more evidence and documentation to support your claim.<\/p>\n It\u2019s critical that you are represented by a skilled negotiator during this process. If you don\u2019t have a lawyer to see through tricky insurance tactics or know where to secure the evidence to prove your claim, you risk losing out on the compensation you need to cover your bills.<\/p>\n With the help of a good lawyer, you will usually be able to reach a settlement out of court. Few auto accident claims go to trial. However, should the insurance company refuse to play fair, your only option may be to file a personal injury lawsuit.<\/p>\n At The Mejia Law Firm, we prepare all our cases for trial. We expect to reach a pre-trial settlement, but are fully prepared to advocate for you in front of a judge and jury if the insurance company does not treat your claim with the respect it deserves.<\/p>\n The final step in the auto accident settlement timeline is the goal you\u2019ve been working toward\u2014obtaining financial compensation. But you won\u2019t be handed cash the second your claim is settled.<\/p>\n After a settlement has been reached, both parties will need to sign forms, and the insurance company will need to make funds available and issue a check to you and the attorney representing you.<\/p>\n In Texas, the funds must first go through a client trust account used under state safekeeping property laws. This is to help ensure that funds belonging to you are kept separate from the lawyer\u2019s finances. The percentage of the award amount allotted to attorney\u2019s fees can then be taken out of the total settlement, any outstanding debts can be paid off, and you can receive your financial compensation.<\/p>\n This whole process may take an additional few weeks to complete, but your legal advocate will continue to expedite the process to make sure you receive your deserved funds as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident in Greater Houston, The Mejia Law Firm can help make the process of recovering compensation for crash injuries<\/a> easier.<\/p>\n Contact us for a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your case. There is no obligation or fee associated with learning more about the auto accident claims process and how we can help you obtain a full and fair settlement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There is no set timeline for an auto accident claim. No two cases are quite the same. Because there are so many factors unique to each case, a car accident claim can take a few weeks, months, or even years to finally reach a resolution. Simpler cases can usually be settled relatively quickly, while more […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n
2. Calculate Compensation<\/h3>\n
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3. Send a Demand Letter<\/h3>\n
4. Negotiate With the Insurance Company<\/h3>\n
5. Reach a Settlement or File a Lawsuit<\/h3>\n
How Long After Settlement Will I Receive Compensation?<\/h2>\n
We Can Help You Smoothly Navigate the Auto Accident Settlement Timeline<\/h2>\n