How Long Will My Car Accident Case Take to Settle in Colorado?
After a car accident, one of the first questions on your mind is likely: “How long will my case take to settle?” The timeline for resolving a car accident case in Colorado depends on a variety of factors. Understanding the process can help manage expectations and prepare for the road ahead.
Contact the Colorado car accident lawyers at Zaner Harden Law today at (720) 613-9706 for more information.
Factors That Influence Settlement Time
Car accident cases are rarely straightforward. The amount of time it takes to reach a settlement depends on a combination of factors:
- Severity of injuries: The more serious the injuries, the longer it might take for your case to settle.
- Dispute over liability: If there is disagreement about who is at fault for the accident, expect delays.
- Insurance company tactics: Some insurance companies are known for dragging out negotiations in the hopes that the claimant will settle for less.
- Complexity of the case: Multi-vehicle accidents, cases with multiple parties, or those involving legal or factual complexities tend to take longer to resolve.
If your case needs to go to trial, the court schedule could add months or even years to the settlement process, depending on the caseload in your area. An experienced Colorado personal injury lawyer will be able to give you a personalized idea of what factors could influence your settlement time.
The Settlement Process Explained
The process of settling a car accident case in Colorado generally follows certain steps, though not every case is alike:
- Medical treatment and recovery: Before considering a settlement, it is essential that you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), meaning your condition has stabilized, and future medical needs can be accurately projected. Settling too early could leave you with unpaid medical bills down the road.
- Investigation of the accident: Gathering evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, and photographs, helps establish liability. This phase may also include consulting experts to strengthen your case.
- Filing the claim: Once you have completed medical treatment and the facts of the accident are clear, your attorney will file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. The insurance company will review the claim and either accept liability, dispute it, or offer a settlement.
- Negotiation: Negotiating a settlement can take time. Your attorney and the insurance company will exchange offers and counteroffers until a fair agreement is reached. If negotiations stall, other options like mediation or arbitration may be explored before considering a trial.
If a reasonable settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, your attorney may file a lawsuit. This does not mean your case will necessarily go to trial. Many cases still settle during the pre-trial phase.
Typical Time Frames for Car Accident Settlements in Colorado
Although every case is unique, here’s a general idea of how long each phase may take:
- Initial investigation and claim filing: After the accident, you can expect the investigation and initial claim filing to take a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on how quickly evidence is gathered and the complexity of the case.
- Medical treatment and maximum medical improvement: This phase could take months or even more than a year, especially if serious injuries are involved. Your settlement shouldn’t be finalized until you understand the full extent of your medical needs.
- Negotiations: The negotiation phase could take several months, depending on the insurance company’s willingness to offer a fair settlement. In straightforward cases, this phase can wrap up relatively quickly.
- Filing a Lawsuit: If a lawsuit is necessary, it may take anywhere from several months to a few years to reach a resolution, depending on the court’s schedule and the complexity of the case.
Check-in with your attorney at each stage—they can give you their best estimate for the timeframe.
Why Some Cases Take Longer to Settle
It can be frustrating to wait for a settlement, especially when bills are piling up, but there are a few common reasons why some cases take longer than others:
- Disputed liability: The at-fault party’s insurance company disputes who was responsible for the accident.
- Extent of damages: When there’s a significant amount of money on the line—whether for medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering—the insurance company may be more inclined to delay settlement negotiations.
- Insurance company tactics: Insurance companies often use delay tactics, such as
- Need for expert testimony: If your case requires input from experts such as medical professionals or accident reconstruction specialists, coordinating these expert testimonies can add time to the case.
The best tactic is to focus on healing while your attorney fights these battles.
Settling Early vs. Waiting for Fair Compensation
In many cases, the at-fault party’s insurance company may offer a quick settlement soon after the accident. While this might be tempting, it’s important to consider whether this early settlement offer will cover all of your expenses, now and in the future.
Settling too early could leave you without sufficient funds to cover ongoing medical treatments, lost wages or other long-term damages.
What Compensation Will You Recieve?
Once a settlement agreement has been reached, the funds are usually distributed as follows:
- Attorney fees and costs: Your attorney will deduct their contingency fee (typically a percentage of the total) from the settlement amount.
- Medical bills and liens: Any outstanding medical bills or liens will be paid from the settlement amount.
- Remaining compensation: After fees and costs are deducted, the remaining funds will be disbursed to you as compensation for your damages.
It typically takes a few weeks to finalize the paperwork and issue payment.
Car Accident? Let Zaner Harden Law Guide You to a Favorable Settlement
While waiting for a car accident case to settle in Colorado can be frustrating, patience often leads to better outcomes. Zaner Harden Law has obtained tens of millions of dollars for injured clients.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident and want to know more about how long your case might take, reach out to us today for guidance.
