How long does a personal injury settlement take?

It depends on the case

Simple claims with clear fault and minor injuries can resolve in weeks to a few months. Claims with serious injuries, disputed fault or a lawsuit can take many months or longer than a year. Anyone promising an exact timeline cannot know it.

The usual stages

• Treatment and recovery: claims are usually not valued until you reach maximum medical improvement or your outlook is clear.
• Investigation and records: collecting reports, bills and evidence.
• Demand: your attorney sends the insurer a demand with supporting documents.
• Negotiation: offers and counteroffers, which can take several rounds.
• Lawsuit, if needed: filing, discovery, mediation and sometimes trial.
• Payment: after settlement, releases are signed, liens such as health insurer reimbursement are resolved and funds are distributed.

What slows a claim down

• Ongoing treatment or an unclear prognosis.
• Disputes about fault or the cause of injuries.
• Low policy limits or several insurers.
• Missing records or delays in getting documents.
• Court schedules if the case is filed.

Why not settle quickly?

A quick offer may be tempting, but a settlement usually ends your claim for good. If your injuries get worse or treatment costs more than expected, you generally cannot go back for more. Understand the full extent of your injuries before you accept.