Time is of the essence for anyone who has been tied up in a lawsuit. In fact, an injury attorney in Idaho cites “how long will this take?” and “what can delay my claim resolution?” as some of the most frequently asked questions in his profession. The answers can vary widely from case to case, however. Let us take a deeper look at why.
How Long Will Your Claim Resolution Take?
The fact of the matter is that there is no definite time frame that a claim resolution can take. This is due to the fact that no two cases are alike, regardless of whether they fall into the same category. And, while it is possible for seasoned attorneys to settle a case within a few months of trial, it is simply impossible for some cases.
1. Liability
Though rare, there are some cases that never settle. And the main reason for this is when defendants contest liability. Such cases rely on juries to make the final verdict on who will be held liable for fault and economic damages.
2. Jurisdiction
States vary in terms of population, court processes, and even government funding. Due to these factors, claims that may be resolved faster in one state, may take ages to be resolved in another. In summary, jurisdictions with flooded dockets tend to spend more time on cases than those without. Cases that go to trial are a different statistic altogether.
3. Nature of the Case
Some cases are simply quicker and easier to resolve than others. Whether liability has been assumed and case complexity are examples of what could affect the duration. An example is how a car accident is simpler to settle than a birth injury settlement case.
4. Insurance Company Involved
There are various reasons why insurance companies handling these claim resolution cases have a direct impact on the settlement period. Due to this reason, most insurance companies take their sweet time to determine which claims are beneficial to pursue. They resolve claims in line with their policies, which normally fall within specific statutes of limitations.
Additionally, when the insurance adjuster handling your case has more cases on his plate, you can expect your claim resolution to take longer.
5. Personal Injury Attorney
No two people are the same, neither are lawyers, despite practicing the same kind of law. Therefore, a case that may take one lawyer a few months, may take another lawyer up to a year or more. Another thing is different law firms spend different durations to resolve claims. For example, you would expect a law firm with many employees to tackle your case faster than one with very few employees.
Keep the above in mind when scouting for legal counsel that could potentially speed up your claims process. Experience also plays a key role, and that is self-explanatory.
6. Medical Evaluation
Medical evaluations affect the duration of claim resolution simply because the case cannot commence without medical test results. Some of which take longer than others. For example, cases where the extent of the injury is not apparent or the injuries result from pre-existing conditions. Determining these may take months or even years.
Do Your Best to Expedite the Claim Process
Some of the reasons listed above are technically out of your control. There are, however, ways to speed up the process. Especially by distributing all of the evidence you have, no matter how insignificant you believe it is. Finally, work as closely as possible with your attorneys. And everything will be back to normal in no time.
