If you recently suffered a personal injury, then you are likely considering your legal options moving forward. Thus, the query: “How long does a personal injury claim take?” has possibly crossed your mind.

Yet, as an injured person, your focus is on making a full recovery as soon as possible and not on the fine details of the claim-making process. As such, you may be tempted to settle your claim as soon as possible. But doing so could lead you to miss out on a higher settlement.

So if you want to get the most out of your settlement, then you can learn more by reading this personal injury claim guide below.

What Is a Personal Injury Claim?

A personal injury accident happens when another person’s irresponsible actions result in you having injuries and damage. Common examples of personal injury accidents include car crashes, slips and falls, and medical malpractice.

A claim involves seeking a financial settlement for your damages and injuries incurred during the accident. This is achieved through discussions with the responsible party’s insurance company.

Personal Injury Claim Versus Lawsuit

Filing a claim is not the same as filing a lawsuit, which involves filing a case in court against the at-fault party. Filing a lawsuit may be in your best interest if negotiations over your settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company fall through.

But, just because you file a lawsuit doesn’t mean that you’ll see the inside of a courtroom. In fact, about 95 percent of pending lawsuits resolve in a pre-trial settlement. This happens because lawsuits are time-consuming for all parties involved and draw out the life span of a settlement.

How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take on Average

Alas, there isn’t a simple answer to this query. In fact, a personal injury claim can take anywhere from a year to five years or even longer to settle.

There are many instances in which the length of an injury claim may change. The number of damages in question, the severity of your injuries, and the complexities of your case are just a few of these factors.

A Lawyer Can Help You Through the Personal Injury Claim Process

As you can tell, the task of making a personal injury claim is intricate and complex. But fortunately, you don’t have to endure the process alone. In fact, an experienced California personal injury lawyer can use their expert knowledge of auto accident settlements to further help guide you through the legal process.

Get the Highest Personal Injury Settlement Possible

Now that you know the answer to: “How long does a personal injury claim take?”, you can better prepare yourself for the legal process to come. Also, hiring a personal injury lawyer can put you in a better position to get a large settlement for your claim.

To learn more information about personal injury laws and other related topics, browse the rest of our website.