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How Long Does a Personal Injury Lawsuit Take?

Personal Injury Claim

Every personal injury occurs under unique circumstances. For this reason, it’s not possible to determine precisely how long any case will take. While the statute of limitations in Florida is two years to file a lawsuit, this does not determine how long your case will take to resolve.

If you or a loved one sustained a preventable injury due to a car crash, slip and fall, or another accident, the personal injury lawyers at Meldon Law want to advocate for you. Our team can address any obstacles that keep your case from moving forward.

These Factors Can Affect the Progression of Your Personal Injury Lawsuit

Personal injury cases can be complex, and it’s not uncommon for multiple parties to be involved, including individuals, businesses, government entities, and insurance companies. Circumstances such as these can significantly affect how rapidly your case progresses and how long it will take to secure compensation.

These other factors could determine the timeline of your case:

The Strength of Your Case’s Evidence

Your case needs evidence to reach a positive outcome. The more evidence your case has, the more willing the insurer could be to negotiate. When you hire a lawyer, they can find and use the following information to bolster your case:

  • The accident/police report
  • Eyewitness testimony
  • Information from field consultants, such as accident reconstruction specialists
  • Your medical records
  • Receipts, invoices, and bills stemming from your damages

Many personal injury cases hinge on the principle of proving negligence. This involves showing that because another party acted negligently, you were injured and have damages.

The Nature of Your Injuries and Their Severity

The time you need to heal from your injuries is a primary factor in determining how long it will take to settle your case. You don’t want to accept compensation from the insurance company, only to have your condition worsen and require additional medical care that’s not covered.

These conditions feature long recovery times and can add to the duration of your personal injury case:

  • Head and skull injuries
  • Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
  • Neck and back injuries
  • Broken bones and crush injuries
  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Chest injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries, including partial or complete paralysis

Compensation goes a long way in helping you afford surgeries, hospitalization, and other medically necessary interventions. Yet, you don’t want to accept a settlement until you reach maximum medical improvement. Your lawyer from Meldon Law can explain more.

Your Case’s Unique Circumstances

The circumstances surrounding your accident can affect the duration of your case. These factors can include:

  • Whether you had a pre-existing health condition. The insurer may question or contest the severity of your injury if you already had a health condition before your accident. For instance, someone with osteoporosis may be more prone to bone breaks in a collision. In a situation like this, your lawyer would consult with field experts and gather additional evidence to support your claim.
  • The identity of the at-fault party. The role of the at-fault party in your accident may affect how your case moves forward. For example, if you suffered a hit-and-run accident, it takes time to identify the at-fault party and hold them liable. In another instance, if you want to sue a government agency, you have a shorter filing period than if you were hurt by an individual.

The Responsiveness of the Liable Insurance Company

Some insurers are very responsive and express eagerness to negotiate. Yet, others can stall investigations and fail to respond in a timely manner. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to influence the timeframe in which an insurer processes your claim and responds to your demand letter.

In this instance, you could benefit from having a personal injury lawyer from Meldon Law on your side. They can move your case forward and prevent any stalling tactics from the insurer.

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit Can Affect Your Case’s Progression

While most personal injury cases end with insurance settlements, every situation is different. Sometimes, injured people have to file lawsuits to recover damages. As one can imagine, filing a lawsuit takes time. It involves:

  • Filing your lawsuit within the statute of limitations
  • Initiating discovery where both parties share information and evidence
  • Taking interrogatories and depositions
  • Undertaking pre-trial motions (such as requesting to have certain evidence dismissed)
  • Going to mediation or arbitration (if required or possible)
  • Presenting your case before a judge and/or jury
  • Awaiting the final verdict

It takes time to assemble the parties needed to testify at trial, plus it can take weeks for the court to add your lawsuit to the docket. However, you shouldn’t let concern about the length of a lawsuit prevent you from seeking damages. It could be your only option for recovering financial compensation after a collision, slip and fall, or another incident.

Could Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer Make My Case Move Faster?

There are many aspects of a personal injury claim that you (and your lawyer) can’t control. There’s also no guarantee that retaining legal representation could make your case move faster. However, it can streamline many aspects of the claims process.

When you entrust your case to an attorney, they can:

  • File your lawsuit within the state’s statute of limitations
  • Write and send your demand letter
  • Calculate your damages, including pain and suffering
  • Negotiate a settlement
  • Protect you from bad faith insurance practices
  • Manage your case on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront

Meldon Law understands that you want fair compensation as soon as possible. That’s why, when you retain a lawyer from our team, you can rest assured that your case is in good hands.

Begin Your Free Case Review With Our Personal Injury Attorneys

It could take weeks, months, or even years for your personal injury case to end. When you partner with Meldon Law, our lawyers take on your legal fight like it was our own, and we promise not to back down when seeking financial recovery. To begin your free, no-obligation case review, call (352) 373-8000.

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