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How Long Does it Take to Resolve a Personal Injury Claim?

A common concern among our clients is how long the process takes to resolve their personal injury claim. While the answer can vary dramatically from case to case, on this page we will discuss the three factors which will primarily impact how much time will be needed to resolve your claim.

Beyond the three factors we will discuss below, it is important to keep in mind the New Jersey statute of limitations on personal injury claims.  In general, personal injury claims need to be filed within 2 years of the date of the accident which caused your injuries. Of course, the sooner you file your claim, the better chance you will have of linking your injuries to your accident, thereby strengthening your claim.

Assuming you are within the statute of limitations, the personal injury attorneys of Fredson Statmore Bitterman will want to start by assessing your individual case. This includes speaking with you about the circumstances of your injury, the extent of your injuries, how much compensation you need in order to cover your medical expenses and lost income, and creating a plan of action moving forward.

Call our office today to discuss your unique needs and concerns when it comes to any kind of potential personal injury claim, and how we can guide and advise you through the process to a successful recovery in a free and confidential consultation.

Personal Injury Attorneys and “Determining the Extent of Damages to be Sought”

The first step in any personal injury claim is to identify exactly how much you need, and will be seeking, in terms of injury damages.

This means thoroughly evaluating the impact your injuries have had on your life, including current and future medical costs, current and future losses to your income, and the extent to which your life has suffered as a result of your injuries.

This process can often involve consulting with both medical professionals as well as financial professionals in order to have the most accurate possible picture of the full extent of the damages you have suffered.

The most important variable in this process when it comes to determining how long it will take is the severity of your injuries. The more severe the injuries, the more important, and complex, these investigations and estimates become.

Personal Injury Lawyers and “Negotiating Your Claim”

Negotiating a personal injury claim is a bit like haggling with a used car salesman. At the beginning of the process, neither party is clear on how far the other is willing to move towards the middle.

Our Paterson, NJ personal injury lawyers have decades of experience negotiating for favorable outcomes, and as such can provide you with a very generic example of what to expect during the negotiations process:

  • You and your attorney write a demand letter  asking for more than what you are reasonably hoping to receive
  • The insurance adjuster will come back and argue that your claim is not as strong as was stated. This can include trying to poke holes in your case or claim that certain costs should not be covered. They may counter offer with a low-ball compensation package
  • Your attorneys will refute the claims made by the adjuster one by one and show that you are owed the money asked for. Depending on the counter offer, we may lower our offer accordingly or not
  • The insurance adjuster again may argue against our claims, and will likely raise their offer.

However, it is hard to say exactly how much time this negotiation process will take for any given personal injury claim. In some claims, there is clear proof of negligence and liability, giving our attorneys a much stronger negotiation position.

In other situations, fault may not be as clearly defined, or there may be debate over the full extent of your injuries, and the affect those injuries have had on your life. Every personal injury claim is different, so your best bet for obtaining a rough timeline when it comes to negotiations is to speak with our attorneys regarding your particular situation.

Accident and Injury Attorneys and “Resolving Your Claim”

The last major factor which determines how long it will take to resolve your personal injury claim is the finalization of your claim. Personal injury claims can either be resolved through accepting a settlement offer from the insurance company, or taking your claim to trial, and seeking a jury verdict.

While most personal injury claims are resolved through settlement rather than through a jury verdict, for reasons we discuss in our article here, the most important determining factor here in terms of timeline is your own needs.

If you believe that you need every last cent you feel is due to you, it will probably be necessary to seek a jury verdict. On the other hand, if time is a factor, you may instead be willing to accept a fair settlement offer, but one which is not necessarily the entirety of what you could expect through a jury verdict.

When it comes to making the decision to settle, to continue to negotiate, or to take your claim through a trial to a jury verdict, many different factors will need to be weighed and considered. It is highly recommended that when making such a critical legal and financial decision, you consult with our experienced Little Falls accident and injury attorneys in order to gain a clear understanding of your options, what they represent to you, and guidance and advice moving forward.

Contact Our Personal Injury Attorneys Today

At The Law Office of Fredson Statmore Bitterman, our attorneys have over 50 years of experience helping clients across Clifton, Little Falls, Paterson, Wayne, West Milford, and the greater Passaic County area to secure full and fair financial compensation in personal injury claims of all kinds.

We assist clients who have been injured in accidents of all kinds, including car accidentstruck accidentsmotorcycle accidentsbus or train accidentsconstruction accidents, by poorly maintained premises, and more to navigate and successfully conclude the personal injury process in a manner based on you and your family’s needs, concerns, and ultimate goals.

To schedule a a free and confidential consultation with our attorney team today regarding your accident and injuries, or to learn more about your options for recovering compensation through a personal injury claim, please contact us online, or call our firm.