Car accident settlements can take a long time because they often involve sorting out important details, like who caused the accident and how much the injuries are worth. Each case is different, so the time it takes can vary.
Sometimes, all parties must be patient while everyone works to reach a fair agreement. If you are waiting for a settlement, our car accident lawyers in Bellevue can help by explaining the process and giving you an idea of how long your settlement might take based on your case.
We can explain your case’s timeline and more during a free consultation.
Several Factors Can Delay Your Car Accident Settlement
It can seem like car accident settlements take so long for a few common reasons, including:
- How serious the injuries are: Severe injuries may require more time for treatment and for calculating future medical costs.
- Disagreements over who is at fault: If there’s a dispute over who caused the accident, the insurance companies may need more time to investigate.
- Cases involving multiple people: Accidents with several people or vehicles involved take longer because each person’s role must be reviewed.
- High settlement amounts: Higher settlement claims often mean more scrutiny from insurance companies before agreeing to pay.
- Long negotiations: Settlement negotiations between attorneys and insurance companies can take time. If the initial offers are low or unreasonable, the back-and-forth to reach a fair settlement can cause delays.
- Insurance company delay tactics: Sometimes, insurance companies intentionally slow down the process to encourage lower settlement amounts.
- Court backlog (if litigation is involved): If your case has to go to court, scheduling backlogs can cause additional delays.
In Washington state, certain local laws and rules can also affect how long the process takes. While each case is different, knowing these reasons can help you understand why there might be a delay. We will keep your case on track toward a resolution.
How Our Lawyers Can Keep Your Car Accident Case on Track
Our lawyers know that waiting for a car accident settlement can be frustrating, so we work hard to keep your case moving forward. Here’s how we help:
- Experience with state–specific laws: Washington has unique rules, like comparative negligence and insurance regulations, that can affect your case. Our attorneys know these laws and will use them to guide your case through any challenges.
- Expedited process: We handle all communications, negotiations, and paperwork for you, meeting all deadlines so that your case doesn’t slow down.
- Thorough investigation: We will gather all necessary evidence to prove who is at fault. This can prevent delays caused by disagreements over liability.
- Accurate assessment of your claim: We calculate the full amount of your claim, including medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. This confirms you’re not pressured to settle for less than you deserve.
- Handling insurance tactics: Insurance companies sometimes delay cases to get you to settle for less. We challenge these tactics to keep the process fair and on track.
- Negotiating fair settlements: Our lawyers work hard to get you a fair settlement that reflects the true value of your claim. If needed, we are prepared to take your case to court to get the best outcome for you.
With our experience and dedication, our Bellevue personal injury lawyers work hard to keep cases on track and strive to reach fair settlements as efficiently as possible.
Can I Still Get a Settlement if I Was Partially at Fault for the Crash?
You can still get a settlement even if you were partially at fault for the car accident. Washington follows a “comparative negligence” rule. This means if you were partly responsible, your settlement might be reduced by the percentage of your fault.
For example, if you were found to be 20% at fault for the accident, you could still get 80% of the total settlement amount. So, even if you think you may be partly to blame, you still have a chance to recover money for your injuries and other damages.
We can work to show how much the other party was at fault, which can improve your chances of getting a fair settlement.
What to Expect if Your Car Accident Case Goes to Court
Most car accident cases settle out of court, but sometimes, both sides cannot agree on what is fair. When this happens, going to court might be the only way to get a fair outcome.
If your case goes to court, our lawyers will represent you and prove your case. We will present evidence, including witness statements, accident reports, and medical records, to show what happened and why you deserve compensation.
We will make arguments on your behalf, answer questions, and explain your side of the story to the judge or jury. Going to court can take more time, but having legal representation can help you feel confident that you’re fighting for the best possible outcome.
How Long do You Have to Sue for a Car Accident in Washington State?
In Washington, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for personal injuries. This time limit is called the statute of limitations, and it is set by law under Revised Code of Washington § 4.16.080.
If you miss this deadline, you likely won’t be able to sue for damages related to the accident. This is why it’s important to start your case as soon as possible.
Is Your Car Accident Settlement Taking Too Long? Call Us
At Premier Law Group, we’ve helped thousands of clients with injury cases over nearly 25 years, and our attorneys bring over 55 years of combined experience in car accident cases. We understand how frustrating delays can be, and we’re here to help move your case forward.
When you call us, you’ll have the opportunity to speak directly with a lawyer on our team during a free consultation, so you can get the guidance you need without worrying about the cost. You can also view our case results to see how we’ve helped others. Reach out today to see how we can help you.
Jason at premier law group is truly an outstanding individual. Our particular case was not something that their firm usually sees but they were more than willing to help us and give us all of the information they had available. I can't recommend them enough.