How Long Does It Take To Get a Settlement From a Car Accident?

After a serious accident, you should be surrounded by people who are focused on taking care of you. At the Law Offices of Larry B. Litt, our dedicated team does just that. We act as your advocates throughout the recovery process.

If you need help getting treatment, we can step in and make sure you find the right specialist. If you have trouble getting your car repaired or getting a rental after a crash, we can help. If an insurance adjuster contacts you, we take over the ensure your rights are protected. When you choose our law firm, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your case is in the right hands.

How long does it take to get a settlement from a car accident?

Because no two car accidents are alike, there is no reliable average car accident settlement time that can tell you how long it will take to receive a settlement in your particular case.

Multiple factors play a part in the amount of time it takes to investigate the accident, determine the facts of the case, and have all parties agree to a particular settlement amount. As a result, a claim could be resolved in as little as a few months or as long as several years, depending on the complexity of the case and the parties’ willingness to settle.

The car accident case timeline may consist of the following steps:

• Meeting with a car accident attorney
• Investigation of the case
• Calculation of damages
• Written demand to the insurance company
• Negotiations
• Settlement

Generally speaking, the more severe the accident and the more extensive the resulting injuries and property damage, the longer a settlement will take. However, keep in mind that if you sustained severe injuries in a car accident, a hasty settlement is likely not in your best interest. Taking the time to do things right is the only way to arrive at a settlement that compensates you for the full range of your losses.

Types of car accident claims and lawsuits.

Settlements

Auto accidents rarely ever go to a full trial because they are costly and unreliable. Civil settlements are most common and allow both parties to come to an agreement as a final decision.

Demand letters

Demand letters provide a way of requesting compensation while avoiding litigation and court appearances. We will write a “Demand Letter” that explains the claim in detail. The demand letter includes the theory of liability, the injuries that have been sustained, the medical bills, lost wages and any future losses. This letter is then sent to the insurance company, with a monetary settlement request.

Car accident settlement negotiations explained

After the demand letter is sent to the insurance company, it is reviewed by the adjuster assigned to the claim. If the money in the demand is not paid, then either negotiations begin or a lawsuit is filed. Your lawyer will first push for an agreement without litigation, but insurance companies can be unreasonable and force the cases into litigation.

What is underinsured or uninsured (UM) Insurance?

Underinsured or Uninsured Motorist Insurance coverage, or as it is often called “UM coverage”, protects the insurance policyholder when he or she is involved in an accident with someone who does not have liability insurance or does not have enough liability insurance to cover your injuries. In other words, the at-fault driver does not have insurance to cover your injuries; therefore, you personally have Underinsured or Uninsured Motorist Insurance coverage, or UM coverage, to protect you in this situation. Being Underinsured means a person has insurance coverage, but the limits may not be high enough to cover the full expenses of a claim.

In Maryland, the most common forms of UM benefits cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. UM coverage is an extremely important type of coverage in Maryland. When you register your vehicle, the registrant must provide proof of insurance coverage. However, Maryland only requires $30,000.00 per person, per accident policy limits coverage.

WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER AN ACCIDENT?

The actions taken immediately after a car accident can prove pivotal in the outcome of a case. Here are some important tips to keep in mind, if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation:

• Move to safety and get medical assistance if needed. Nothing is more important than your health.
• Contact law enforcement.
• Obtain essential information, such as the other driver’s insurance details, and take your own photos of the damaged vehicles, damaged property and photos of the scene.
• Gather contact information for witnesses. (Police often leave witnesses off their reports or don’t get the correct contact information)
• Do NOT make a handshake agreement with the driver of the other car.
• Do NOT admit any fault. (Now is not the time to determine who was at fault. Admitting any fault can be used against you later. Your understanding of the accident might even be wrong.)
• Do NOT leave the scene of the incident. Even if you were not at fault for the accident, leaving the scene could qualify as a “hit-and-run,” which is a crime in Baltimore and could damage your claim for compensation.
• Never refuse to mention injuries to the police or paramedics. Any evidence of medical injuries can be vital in your compensation claim.

What should I do after an accident?

Once an auto accident occurs, you should immediately call the Police. In most cases, it’s best to involve the police so there is an official record of the accident. Police are professional investigators, so the information they report could be helpful later.

Sometimes people try to avoid involving their insurance company for severe or minor accidents because; they fear a rate increase or they think it’s easier to work directly with the other driver.

Not reporting an accident to the insurance company is a bad idea. All insurance companies require reporting. Failure to report even minor accidents to the insurance company can have significant ramifications. Some insurance providers may cancel a driver’s policy for failing to report an accident promptly.

Even if the accident is minor, it’s wise to speak with a Baltimore accident lawyer. An attorney will have valuable advice that could save you from making a costly mistake. Contact the Law Offices of Larry B. Litt for a free consultation today.

Should you hire a lawyer for your car accident case?

Car accidents are complex legal matters because of the resources that insurance companies bring to minimize or deny your claim. Insurance companies have teams of investigators, adjusters, and lawyers and are extremely difficult to deal with if you don’t have legal help. Here’s why the assistance of a Baltimore accident Lawyer is crucial for a successful outcome:

Personal injury attorneys allow you to focus on recovering, working, and being with your family. You’ll avoid stressful phone calls from the insurers as they’ll be dealt with by your car accident attorney.

We know that injuries cause problems that last far longer than insurance companies say they do. Missed wages, psychological distress, future medical costs, and more are all often overlooked. We’re aware of this and will factor it into your claim.

• We ensure all evidence is preserved correctly. Evidence can get lost quickly; we will work to make sure it is safe.
• We know which evidence can sway your case. Under Maryland law, recovering compensation is only possible if it is clear that another person’s negligence caused the accident.
• Insurance companies will exploit your lack of knowledge, often manipulating you into making a mistake. They want to pay you as little as possible. Our experience will avoid these pitfalls so we can get you the money you deserve.
• A lawyer can get to work immediately. Acting fast will give you the upper hand even if the at-fault driver turns out to change his/her story.
• The longer you wait without a lawyer, the more time the insurers gain to devalue your claim.
• Evidence proves that vastly greater compensation is paid out when using a lawyer compared to taking on the case alone.
• We’ll be your advocates from start to finish and handle all legal work and procedures for the optimal outcome.

Conclusion

Although the impulse to get the settlement proves over with quickly is understandable, obtaining justice and fair compensation for your losses is significantly more important. The Law Offices of Larry B. Litt, can help you seek the compensation you deserve, no matter how complex your case may be.

Remember that we never charge a fee, unless we win. Call us today at 443-844-1528 so that we may answer your questions, help you navigate the complexities of insurance claims, and recover the compensation that you deserve.

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