How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take? Settlement Timeline Explained

Simple cases with clear liability often settle within 3-6 months after you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). This is the point where your doctor says you have recovered as much as expected. Settling before MMI can leave money on the table.

Complex cases involving severe injuries, multiple defendants, or disputed liability typically take 1-3 years. Cases that go to trial can take 2-4 years from accident to verdict.

Several factors impact how long your case takes: injury severity and treatment duration, liability disputes, insurance company tactics, whether the case goes to litigation, court schedules, and the number of parties involved.

Cases involving government entities have strict notice requirements and may take longer due to sovereign immunity procedures. Medical malpractice cases often require expert review before filing, adding months to the timeline.

Once you reach MMI, your attorney will send a demand letter to the insurance company. They typically have 30 days to respond. Negotiations can take weeks to months depending on how far apart the parties are.

If negotiations fail, filing a lawsuit adds 1-2 years to the timeline. However, most cases settle before trial during the litigation process, often during mediation or shortly before trial.

To expedite your case: follow all medical treatment plans, provide requested documents promptly, respond quickly to attorney communications, and be realistic about settlement expectations.

While it may be tempting to settle quickly, patience often leads to larger settlements. Your attorney will advise when the timing is right to maximize your compensation.