A car accident settlement in Lubbock can take anywhere from 6 weeks to several months, and in cases of serious injury or loss of life, it can take a year or longer. The time it takes for a Lubbock car accident case to settle depends on the case’s complexity, disputes with insurance companies, and the number of parties involved.
Average Time it Takes a Lubbock Car Accident Case to Settle
From filing a claim with the insurance company to settling it, the average Lubbock car accident case takes 6 to 10 months. During that time, the victim needs to submit a claim for all losses they sustained, identify who is at fault with evidence, and negotiate a fair level of compensation. Some factors that can speed up the average time include:
Having significant evidence to demonstrate that all parties are at fault
Avoiding mistakes or miscommunications on the insurance claim
Documenting all losses clearly with evidence
Working with a car accident attorney to expedite the process
Coming to a fair agreement with the insurance company
Your case may take longer if you have serious injuries and need more time to heal. You may have other factors contributing to a longer period of time, such as an insurance adjuster who will not budge or treat you fairly.
Factors That Make the Average Car Accident Claim Take Longer
Various factors contribute to the average car accident claim that you may not be able to control. By working with a car accident lawyer, you may be able to navigate through these challenges with more confidence and speed.
Serious injuries: It is not wise to file a claim until you know what all of your injuries and losses can be. Some injuries require surgery and a long recovery time, making it difficult to settle quickly.
Catastrophic losses: If you have permanent injuries, such as loss of vision or hearing, paralysis, or chronic pain, these can take more time to prove and value.
Disputes over liability: In a car accident case where there is a dispute over who is at fault, the process can take longer to resolve.
Going to trial: Though most car accident cases settle outside of court, you may have to go to trial if you cannot reach an agreement with the insurance company. This can extend the process by 6 months to a year.
Unknown parties at fault: If you are in a hit-and-run accident, it can take longer for you to prove who is at fault, and that can extend the length of time it takes to navigate the legal process.
The Texas statute of limitations (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 16) for car accident cases is 2 years from the date of the injury. For that reason, you should seek a lawsuit within that timeframe, or you lose your opportunity to do so.
It is critically important to act to seek a claim as soon as possible without compromising the value of your claim. However, you can expect the Lubbock car accident case settlement process to take some time, often around 6 months for a serious accident.