How Long After a Car Accident Will I Get Compensation?
After getting in a car accident, you may wonder how long it will take to recover compensation for your injuries and property damage. The answer is that it depends on various factors, including the severity of your injuries, the complexity of your case, and whether your case settles or goes to trial.
In general, receiving compensation after a car accident can take anywhere from several weeks to several months.
Initial Investigation Into the Accident
The first thing that can delay getting your compensation is the investigation into the accident. However, this is a necessary delay. By investigating the accident, your lawyer will identify the at-fault party or parties and gather evidence to support your claim. This allows them to seek the compensation you need.
Additionally, if your injuries are severe, it’s best to wait until you have fully recovered or are not expected to recover further. At this point, medical complications are less likely to occur, so your lawyer can more accurately assess your future medical costs.
No-Fault and Fault-Based Auto Insurance Claims
The next part of your case that could cause delays is the type of auto insurance claim you are filing. In Pennsylvania, registered vehicle owners can purchase full tort or limited tort auto insurance policies. Depending on the type of policy you bought, you can file either no-fault (first-party) or fault-based (third-party) insurance claims.
If you have a limited tort policy, you can file a no-fault claim against your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance policy. Since this claim doesn’t rely on establishing fault, it can result in a quicker settlement. If your expenses exceed the limits of your PIP policy, you must meet additional requirements to file a fault-based claim with the at-fault party’s insurer.
If you have a full tort policy, you can file a fault-based claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. This type of claim may take longer, as you must establish that the other driver was at fault for the accident before you can recover compensation.
Settlement Negotiations
After filing your auto insurance claim, it’s time to enter settlement negotiations. During this phase of the case, your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company handling your case for compensation that covers your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other accident-related losses.
Most cases end with a settlement. However, the time it takes to reach a settlement can vary widely. Factors affecting the time it takes for a case to settle include:
- The amount of compensation involved
- The tactics used by the insurance company
- The number of parties involved in the accident
- Disputes over liability
Litigation Extends the Compensation Timeline
If the insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement, your lawyer will have to file a lawsuit and take your case to trial. Litigation can significantly extend the time it takes to recover compensation after a car accident, which is one reason why settlements are often preferable.
However, if your lawyer suggests taking your case to trial, it’s often in your best interest. This typically means that the compensation the insurance company is offering is far less than what you need to cover your losses, and that they believe you will have a better chance of maximizing your compensation through a trial.
Receiving Your Compensation
Once your case settles or a judge or jury issues a verdict, you may not see the compensation for another few weeks. During this time, the insurance company will clear the amount and close out your claim, and your lawyer may use some of your compensation to pay off your expenses, such as your medical bills and their fee.
Contact Our Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyers
If you were injured in a PA car accident, contact Ainsman Levine, LLC, for a free consultation about your case. Our lawyers can walk you through the timeline of an auto insurance claim and give you a rough estimate of when you may be able to expect compensation based on the details of your case.