When we meet our clients, one of the most common questions they have is how long it takes to settle their car accident cases. The answer depends on the facts of each case and the extent of their injuries.
In general, car accident lawsuits may settle once injured victims reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). Injured car accident victims reach MMI when their condition/injuries cannot be improved any further or when their healing process reaches a plateau. When car accident victims reach MMI, they will know with some certainty what their future will hold, i.e., whether they need future medical treatment/surgery, whether their injuries are permanent, how their injuries may affect them for the rest of their lives, etc.
Insurance companies typically do not pay victims for their injuries soon after their auto accidents. They want to make sure they have all the necessary documents, i.e., medical records, reports, evidence of lost wages, etc., to review before considering paying car accident victims.
Catastrophically injured victims, such as those with permanent brain injuries, spinal cord injuries or those who lost a limb, require long term care. Thus, it may take some time before these types of cases settle or resolve.
However, there are times when these types of cases settle quickly because the at-fault driver’s liability coverage limits are insufficient to pay for all of the catastrophically injured victim’s needs.
The time it takes to settle smaller cases also varies. Depending on the extent of the injuries and recovery, some cases may settle fairly quickly, while others take years. For instance, a driver who suffers a simple wrist fracture after an intersection accident may be able to settle his case in a few months when liability is not contested and his medical treatment is straightforward, lasting only a few months.
On the other hand, cases involving soft tissue injuries may take years to settle because it may take a long time for these types of injuries to resolve and determine how they affect the injured victims’ lives.
Car accident lawsuits are not resolved overnight. It is a process, and sometimes a long process. Injured car accident victims should not expect a speedy resolution. We want to make sure we have all the necessary documents and evidence to help our clients recover the financial compensation they are entitled to after Ontario car accidents.
If you have questions about your legal rights or the claims process after a car accident in Kingston, Ottawa or Whitby, call the lawyers at Bergeron Clifford to schedule a FREE consultation. 866-384-5886.
