How long does a personal injury case take?

The amount of time it takes to resolve a personal injury case will vary depending on specific factors. Claims with stronger evidence may be more likely to be settled faster than cases in which key facts or the injuries themselves are in dispute.

Since the evidence gathering or discovery phase could take some time, you should expect it to take at least several months before a lawyer can begin negotiating a respectable settlement amount with an insurance company. Settlement negotiations could continue for several additional months and may last all the way through the eve of the trial or even during a trial if the case goes to court.

A lawyer may hold off on filing a lawsuit until the scope of the victim’s injuries and medical treatment needs are more evident. Once filed, a personal injury lawsuit can take several years to work its way to resolution.