When will my case settle?

This is one of the most common questions that clients ask of their attorneys, but it is one whose answer will vary from case to case, depending on the specific factors that are unique to a given case. In general, most personal injury cases last anywhere from a year to a several years or, in rare circumstances, even longer, but cases that are very short or very long in duration are quite rare. Those cases that fall on the short end of the time spectrum are usually those in which liability is clear and available insurance is limited. Most personal injury cases involving clear liability settle before going to trial.

In cases where liability is less than clear or the defendant’s insurance company has decided to take its chances in court, the timeline for a potential settlement grows. Regardless of the circumstances, while you are obtaining medical treatment for your injury your attorney must collect, document and provide all relevant information to the defendant’s counsel through a process known as discovery, which is a time-consuming process.