how long does it take to hear from a lawyer after car accident

by Stella McLaughlin Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago 6 min read

Once you have completed treatment, and your damages have been assessed, your attorney will most likely attempt to negotiate your claim prior to filing a lawsuit. They will typically start with sending a demand and typically receive a response within 4-6 weeks.Apr 6, 2022

Full Answer

When should I contact a lawyer after a car accident?

Any delay in contacting a lawyer can have a detrimental effect on your personal injury case, so you should contact a lawyer as soon as you can after an accident. To schedule a free consultation with a St. Louis car accident lawyer, call Page Law today at 314-322-8515 or contact us online.

How long do car accident injuries take to show up?

Keep in mind that some car accident injuries may only display symptoms days or even weeks after an accident. For example, whiplash may take several days to manifest, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit?

For instance, in many states you must file your lawsuit within two years of your car accident, or you'll lose the right to take the matter to court. An attorney will also be able to inform you about any special exceptions to the statute of limitations—for minors, for example.

What does a car accident lawyer need to collect?

If a case is going to be settled fast without a lawsuit for top value, a car accident lawyer will need to obtain all of the medical records and bills for the client. At our law firm and many personal injury firms, it is the lawyer’s job to collect the medical bills and records.

10 Factors that Impact How Long It Takes to Obtain a Car Accident Settlement

So, how long does a car accident settlement take with a lawyer? The short answer is, “It depends.” In fact, here are 10 factors that can all impact how long it takes to obtain a car accident settlement:

Why Is My Car Accident Settlement Taking So Long?

If you were injured in a car accident and you filed an insurance claim without hiring a lawyer, you might be wondering, “Why is my car accident settlement taking so long?” The short answer is: Because you have let the insurance companies take control of the process.

Should You Hire a Lawyer to Pursue a Car Accident Settlement?

Of course a settlement is never guaranteed, and no lawyer can ensure that he or she will be able to convince the insurance companies to settle for just compensation. But, hiring a lawyer gives you the best chance to obtain a fair settlement, and you have no reason not to put an experienced lawyer on your side.

You Should Contact an Attorney as Soon as Possible

In law, it is not often there is a simple, unequivocal answer to a question, but when it comes to how long after an accident you should wait to call an attorney, there is no gray area: Find a lawyer as soon as you can. There are many reasons this is the case, including:

Call Page Law to Retain a St. Louis Car Accident Attorney Today

How long does it take for an insurance company to respond to a claim?

Most injury claims should not take more than three weeks. But it often does.

What happens when an attorney files a lawsuit?

When our attorneys file a lawsuit, it often results in a later offer that is many times more than the pre-suit settlement offer. The muscle of a lawsuit puts fear into insurance companies. This muscle often gets them to pay far more settlement money than they would have considered before suit was filed.

Can an accident lawyer do medical records?

So it may be there is nothing your accident lawyer can do because the attorneys is waiting on medical records or waiting for the insurance company to respond. But there is no question that the delay is often the result of a plaintiff's lawyer who is not staying on top of the case.

Do car accident lawyers collect medical bills?

If a case is going to be settled fast without a lawsuit for top value, a car accident lawyer will need to obtain all of the medical records and bills for the client. At our law firm and many personal injury firms, it is the lawyer’s job to collect the medical bills and records. Medical records are essential.

Do insurance companies have to respond to a bodily injury letter?

In most states, there is no rule requiring the insurance company to respond at all.

Can an accident lawyer ask a doctor to give an estimate of the cost of surgery?

Alternatively, if future surgery or other medical procedures have not yet been performed, an accident lawyer can ask a doctor to give an estimate of what the costs of the future surgery/procedure will cost. This is often the biggest reason there is a delay in settling a serious injury claim.

Do you have to file a lawsuit for serious injury?

But in the average serious injury case, you need to file a lawsuit to maximize the value of your case. You do not have to file a lawsuit. Sometimes lawyers do not understand the client's need to get their money quickly. But, if you do settle early, you may be leaving money on the table.

Factors That Affect How Long a Lawsuit Takes for a Car Accident

Here are just a few of the most important factors that could affect the answer to that question in your case.

How Long Does a Lawsuit Take for a Car Accident? Get Answers Specific to Your Claim

While there is no way to know in advance how long an insurance claim or auto accident lawsuit will take to resolve, you might find it helpful to talk about your individual legal matter with an attorney one-on-one.

Schedule a Free Legal Consultation with Our Omaha Auto Accident Lawyers

Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, P.C. is a Nebraska personal injury law firm with years of experience and a long record of success. We are committed to giving our clients the time, attention, passion, and communication they deserve.

How long do you have to file a lawsuit after a car accident?

For instance, in many states you must file your lawsuit within two years of your car accident or be forever prohibited from filing your lawsuit. An attorney will also be able to inform you about any special exceptions to the statute of limitations -- for minors, for example.

What does it mean to hire a personal injury attorney after a car accident?

Hiring a personal injury attorney to represent you after a car accident means you will have a professional working for you -- one who is extremely knowledgeable about the relevant laws and procedural rules that may affect your case.

How can an attorney help you in a car accident?

Perhaps the most important way an attorney can help you with your car accident case is by being your advocate. This means that your attorney acts on your behalf and for your benefit throughout the entire claims process (negotiating with the automobile insurance company) and even in court if a lawsuit becomes necessary. He or she will be your champion before the judge, jury and other attorneys, making sure that your side of the story is heard and that you are compensated for all of your losses.

Can an attorney file a lawsuit?

Your attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf and will know how best to mitigate any possible defenses raised by the other side. In addition, once your case gets under way, your lawyer will play an invaluable role in preparing your case for trial -- and even going to trial if your case doesn't settle.

Do you need an attorney for a car accident?

Usually, car accidents in volving serious or long-term injuries require an attorney to get the most desirable outcome.

Can an attorney do a car accident settlement?

After you have been in a car accident, taking on this time-consuming work may be the last thing you want to do, assuming you're able. An attorney can do it all for you.

How long does it take for whiplash to show up after an accident?

How to seek compensation for a car accident?

Filing an Insurance Claim. When you experience a motor vehicle accident, the first step in seeking compensation is to file a claim with either your own insurance provider or the other driver’s insurance company. In some states, comparative negligence laws apply, ...

What happens if you are distracted while answering a phone?

If the driver engaged in distracted driving while answering a phone or navigating on a GPS, this breach in their duty of care they owed you while on the road may have contributed to the accident. A lawyer can help investigate the cause of the accident and use evidence to demonstrate the fault of the other driver.

Why do people seek legal representation for car accidents?

Some victims of car accidents choose to seek legal counsel and representation so that they can focus on their health and recovery while also pursuing legal action. You have the right to hire legal representation at any time throughout the process of making an insurance claim or pursuing a personal injury lawsuit.

Can a lawyer help you in a car accident?

While obtaining a lawyer does not guarantee you a specific outcome for your case, they can help investigate the crash, gather evidence to demonstrate the other driver’s negligence, and take care of negotiations with insurers on your behalf.

Can you seek insurance for a car accident if you are uninsured?

If the other driver’s policy cannot cover the costs of your losses, you may be able to seek them through your own policy if you carry uninsured motorist coverage. You can hire an attorney immediately after a car accident to help you assess your losses and explore the options available to you through your own insurance policy.

What happens if you get in a car accident?

Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic experience. Injuries may quickly derail your whole life and can result in lifelong and permanent disabilities. If you have been injured in a car accident, you need an experienced and reputable lawyer on your side from the very beginning. With the help of a lawyer, getting the fair compensation and justice you deserve is not impossible.

What to do if you are not sure if the insurance company is acting in good faith?

You may also seek the advice of a lawyer if you are not sure if the insurer is acting in good faith, stuck in the negotiations, confused about the policies, not sure of the rights, and there is a problem with the accident’s fault.