As the largest city in York County, it’s no surprise there is no shortage of personal injury cases in Rock Hill. From car accidents to slip and falls and workplace injuries, most South Carolinians have experienced an accident at some point in their lives.
If you have been injured in an accident in Rock Hill, you may be wondering how long it will take to settle your claim. There is no one answer to this question as all personal injury claims have various factors to consider.
If you have questions about the legal process and how long it will take to settle your personal injury lawsuit, contact a personal injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor today.
The Severity of Your Injuries
One of the most important factors that will impact the length of time it takes to settle your personal injury case is the severity of your injuries. If you have suffered serious or life-threatening injuries, your case will likely take longer to settle than if you have only suffered minor injuries. This is because more severe injuries typically require more medical treatment, resulting in higher medical bills and lost wages.
Reaching Maximum Medical Improvement
To ensure you get the maximum monetary compensation available to you, it is best to settle a personal injury claim after you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI.) MMI is when an injured person’s condition has stabilized and is not expected to improve any further with treatment. That means you are at the point where they are managing your symptoms as opposed to correcting the underlying problem.
Once an injured person reaches MMI, their doctor will often predict the outcome of their injuries. For example, will you need ongoing physical therapy, injections several times a year, medication to manage your symptoms, etc. This allows both the injured person and the insurance company to better understand the case’s value and help facilitate a settlement.
The Amount of Evidence Available
The more evidence you have, the easier it will be to establish your case and prove negligence. Evidence can include witness statements, video footage, or police reports. Additionally, to prove that your injuries were caused by the accident, you may need to collect medical records, billing statements, or other documents that helped cover your losses, such as health insurance.
The Type of Personal Injury Case
Some personal injury claims are more complex than others. For example, if you were in a car accident, settling your case may be easier than settling a claim that involves a defective product. Car accidents typically involve a driver and their insurance company, while settling a defective product case may involve the manufacturer, other injured persons, or other outside factors, such as the need to retain experts, that dictate how long the case will take.
Negotiation
The insurance company’s willingness to negotiate a settlement is also an important factor in how long it will take to settle your personal injury case. Most personal injury cases settle out of court. However, if the insurance company is unwilling to negotiate and fails to offer a fair settlement, your case will likely take longer to settle, or it may even go to court.
Contact a Rock Hill Personal Injury Lawyer Today
These are just some of the factors that can impact the length of time it takes to settle your personal injury case. If you have been injured in an accident, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you understand the process and what you can expect.
An experienced attorney will also be able to negotiate a settlement on your behalf and will fight for your rights every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We would be happy to answer any questions you have and help you get started on your case.
