If you were injured in an accident in Sherman Oaks, you might wonder how long it will take to settle your personal injury case. Although each case is different, various factors decide how long it will take to settle your case or obtain a court verdict.
1. Immediate Medical Treatment and Case Evaluation (1-3 Months)
Before instituting legal action, you have to receive medical attention and get a complete examination of your injuries. Your lawyer will examine your case, build evidence, and establish the viability of your case.
2. Filing an Insurance Claim (1-6 Months)
Most personal injury claims start with an insurance claim. The negotiation process may take weeks or months, depending on the cooperativeness of the insurance company. If the insurer makes a reasonable settlement, the case can end quickly. But if they stall or deny the claim, additional legal action is required.
3. Filing a Lawsuit (Several Months to 1 Year)
If negotiations are unsuccessful, your lawyer will sue in a California civil court. After the filing, both parties enter into a discovery period, in which they exchange evidence and depose witnesses. This process takes several months as both parties construct their case.
4. Mediation and Settlement Negotiations (6 Months to 1 Year or More)
Most personal injury claims are settled before going to trial. Lawyers can try mediation, which involves a neutral third party who assists both sides in agreeing. Settlement at this point can preserve time and money.
5. Trial and Verdict (1-2 Years or More)
If negotiations break down, your case will be tried. Trials are unpredictable and may take days or weeks to conclude. However scheduling, motions, and appeals can delay the process to as long as two years or more.
Things That Might Impact Your Case Timeline
- How bad your injuries were
- How willing the insurance company is to pay a settlement
- How complicated the case is and how much liability is disputed
- Availability in the court and scheduling
While some Sherman Oaks personal injury cases resolve within a few months, others take years to resolve. Having a skilled attorney guarantees your case goes as smoothly as possible while obtaining the highest amount of compensation.
This article was written by Alla Tenina. Alla is one of the best bankruptcy attorneys in Los Angeles California, and the founder of Tenina Law. She has experience in bankruptcies, real estate planning, and complex tax matters. The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This website contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; the ABA and its members do not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
