Ask a Buffalo, NY, Car Accident Lawyer: What’s the Fastest Way To Reach a Settlement?

Car accidents can be stressful, painful, and disruptive. They are also expensive when you suffer significant property damage or bodily injury. If your injuries are so severe that you miss work, you may quickly find yourself in a financial hole.

Fortunately, car accident claims offer potential relief. Unfortunately, they rarely offer immediate compensation. In this post, an experienced Buffalo, NY, car accident lawyer discusses how long settlements take and whether you can accelerate the process.

How Long Does It Take To Settle a Car Accident Case?

Car accident claims can settle in just a few months or go on for years. While there is no simple answer to how long it takes to reach an agreement, several factors influence the timeline.

The Nature of Your Injuries

If you are seriously injured in an accident, you may be incapable of filing a claim immediately. You may require hospitalization, rehabilitation, and months of healing before participating in a legal case. 

In addition, your Buffalo, NY, car accident lawyer may suggest you wait to file a claim until you reach maximum medical improvement. Otherwise, it’s hard to know the full extent of your injuries, whether you can return to work, and the accident’s overall impact on your life.

More severe injuries also take more time to quantify. Your legal team must review large amounts of documentation to see how much your case is worth. Besides past lost income and medical expenses, they will need to calculate future lost income and medical expenses.

One of the biggest things that a lawyer can do is explore and investigate the insurance coverage for the other party.  Making sure that you have all of the information to make an informed decision.  You don’t want the other side hiding insurance coverage that you should be entitled to.

The Damages You Claim 

Personal injury compensation can include both economic damages and non-economic damages. Cases of simple property damage and minor injuries are relatively easy to assess and quick to calculate. However, more extensive economic damages require additional investigation and documentation. 

It can also extend the timeline if your Buffalo, NY, car accident lawyer seeks non-economic damages on your behalf. These damages compensate you for intangible consequences like pain and suffering. Since non-economic losses don’t have an objective price tag, the two sides may take longer to agree on an amount.

The Complexity of the Case

In addition to the nature of the damages, other factors can lengthen the duration of car accident claims. Cases with multiple parties, unclear liability, or complicated evidence often take longer to investigate and prepare.

The Cooperation of the Parties

Finally, the cooperation of the parties is a big factor in how quickly a case settles. If the two sides mostly agree on what happened and are open to negotiation, you may reach a quicker settlement. It can take longer if the insurance party denies your claim outright or the other party refuses to compromise.

How Can I Reach a Faster Settlement?

While there’s no surefire way to speed up your settlement, the following suggestions can help streamline the process.

• Hire an attorney: A skilled Buffalo, NY, car accident lawyer knows how to navigate the legal system, secure relevant evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies as efficiently and effectively as possible.
• Participate in your case: You can assist your attorney by actively participating in your claim. Showing up on time, listening to your lawyer, and being willing to compromise can help move things along.
• Start promptly: Although you have three years to file a car accident lawsuit in New York, moving more quickly is better. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to make insurance claims, gather evidence, and build a strong case. 

Contact a Buffalo, NY, Car Accident Lawyer Today!

Contact Cantor, Wolff, Nicastro & Hall LLC to get started on your car accident case today. Call us at 716-848-8000 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.