How Long Do Personal Injury Cases Take to Settle?

After being injured due to someone else’s negligence, one of the first questions victims ask is: How long will it take to settle my claim? While there is no universal timeline since every case is different, we can evaluate several factors to estimate how long your case may take to resolve and when you may be able to expect a personal injury settlement.

These factors include how serious your injuries are, how clear liability is, and how willing the other party’s insurance company is to negotiate in good faith.

The personal injury attorneys at Burg Simpson are here to help. With extensive experience representing personal injury victims in Colorado, we can help move your claim forward as quickly as possible while ensuring your rights are fully protected.

For a FREE and confidential case evaluation, call Burg Simpson at 303-792-5595 today. Our personal injury lawyers serve clients in Denver, Englewood, and throughout Colorado.

How Long Does a Personal Injury Settlement Take?

Depending on the complexity of your claim, a settlement could be reached in as little as 3–6 months. However, cases can easily stretch beyond a year to resolve in some situations.

The good thing about settlements is that they occur outside of the courts, meaning there is no need to fit into the court’s schedule or begin the lengthy process of discovery and trial—along with the potential for appeals.

However, it is important to know that if you settle your claim outside of court, it will come with an agreement not to pursue legal action for additional compensation in the future. This is why it is so important to fully calculate your damages and keep the option of trial open in case the insurance company is unwilling to provide a fair personal injury settlement.

What Factors Impact How Long It Takes to Settle?

There are several factors that contribute to how long it takes a claim to settle. A few of the most important questions to ask include:

• Is liability clear or contested? If you have strong evidence indicating another party’s negligence, it will make it more likely their insurance company accepts liability and you can begin negotiations. If, on the other hand, they contest liability, it will complicate your claim and draw out the process.
• Have you reached maximum medical improvement? This allows the cost of your damages to become more clear, which makes it easier for both sides to negotiate a fair settlement offer.
• Is the insurance company responsive? In some situations, especially with high-value claims, insurance companies can be slow to move the process along. Sometimes this is because they are hoping you will settle for less than you deserve.

Working with an experienced personal injury attorney can help keep the process moving along, especially if the insurance company is intentionally slowing things down or acting in bad faith.

How Long After a Settlement Will I Receive My Funds?

Once a settlement is agreed to, you should receive your funds soon—in most cases, within 2–6 weeks.

It is helpful to understand the disbursement process, which includes:

• You will sign a release of claims, meaning you officially give up the right to pursue legal action in exchange for the agreed-upon compensation.
• The insurance company issues a check, which is deposited and processed by your attorney.
• Your attorney will deduct their fees, along with any medical liens or other costs.
• The remaining funds are deposited into your account.

Your attorney will provide a full breakdown of the costs and fees to ensure there is full transparency around the disbursements of funds.

How Much Are Most Personal Injury Settlements?

As with the amount of time it takes to settle personal injury claims, the value of your claim varies widely depending on the severity of your injuries. Some claims are settled for as little as a few thousand dollars while others can settle for hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.

Ultimately, it comes down to the costs associated with your damages, including immediate expenses such as:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Out-of-pocket costs

It is also crucial to consider long-term damages such as:

• Cost of rehabilitation or specialized care
• Impact of your injuries on your long-term earning capacity
• Cost of needed modifications to your home or vehicle

You also need to weigh any non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life. These damages are usually calculated based on the severity of your economic damages, which could greatly increase the value of your claim.

At Burg Simpson, we have recovered more than $2 billion in verdicts and settlements. We know how to be thorough in our calculations and make sure you pursue the full amount of compensation you need and deserve.

How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help?

A personal injury attorney can help you manage the entirety of the claims process. This includes:

• Investigating the accident to gather evidence and establish liability
• Handling communications with the insurance company to ensure your rights are protected
• Calculating your past and future damages
• Negotiating with the insurance company
• And more

If necessary, an experienced attorney can also take your claim to trial and argue your case before the court if the insurance company refuses to provide a fair settlement.

Contact Burg Simpson’s Denver Personal Injury Lawyers Today!

If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence of another, you need to begin building your claim and evaluating your legal options as soon as possible. Beyond the statute of limitations (generally 2–3 years), waiting risks losing evidence and making it much more difficult to build a strong claim.

As Burg Simpson, our award-winning attorneys are here to help. We have the local clout and national strength needed to take on tough claims. Your initial case evaluation is FREE, and we do not charge our clients for our services unless and until we recover compensation for them.

Ready to get started? Give us a call today at 303-792-5595 and let the experienced Colorado personal injury lawyers at Burg Simpson fight for the justice you deserve.