If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Geneva, IL, you might be wondering how long it will take to resolve your personal injury lawsuit. The timeline for a car accident lawsuit generally depends on several key factors, including the severity of your injuries, the complexity of your case, and the willingness of the insurance company to negotiate a fair settlement.
The following sections describe the various stages of a personal injury matter and how long such matters generally take:Â
Investigation and Filing the Claim
After a car accident, your attorney will conduct an investigation to gather evidence of the other party’s liability, including police reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony. This process can take several weeks to months, depending on the complexity of the case and the availability of evidence.
Once the investigation is complete, your Geneva car accident lawyer will file a personal injury claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. The insurer will then review the claim and may request additional information before deciding to accept or deny liability.
Negotiating a Settlement
In many cases, the insurance company will attempt to settle the claim before it goes to court. Insurers often prefer to settle rather than risk costly litigation and an unpredictable court verdict.
Settlement negotiations can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the extent of your injuries, the amount of compensation demanded, and the insurer’s willingness to negotiate fairly.
Your attorney will handle all communications with the insurance adjuster and work to secure a fair settlement that covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. If the insurer refuses to offer a reasonable settlement, the next step is to file a lawsuit.
Filing the Lawsuit
If settlement negotiations fail, your attorney will file a Geneva personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. Once the lawsuit is filed, the court will set a schedule for the stages of the case, including but not limited to discovery, depositions, and pre-trial motions.Â
Discovery and Depositions
During the discovery phase, both sides exchange evidence and information related to the case. The discovery process includes depositions, interrogatories, and requests for documents. This stage can be lengthy, particularly in cases involving severe injuries or multiple at-fault parties. It can take several months to complete, depending on the volume of evidence and the availability of witnesses.
Trial and Verdict
If the case proceeds to trial, the duration will depend on the facts of the case. Trials can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Once the trial concludes, the jury will deliberate and issue a verdict.
Appeals and Post-Trial Motions
After the verdict, either party may file an appeal or post-trial motions, which can further extend the timeline of the case. Appeals can add several months to a year or more to the overall timeline.
Contact a Geneva Car Accident Lawyer for Legal Assistance
While some car accident claims in Geneva settle within a few months, others can take over a year or more to resolve, especially if they go to trial.
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident in Geneva, IL, it’s important to seek legal guidance as soon as possible. An experienced car accident lawyer can handle all aspects of your case and work to keep your case moving along an efficient timeline.
Contact Feagans Law Group today to learn more about how long your car accident lawsuit may take based on the specific circumstances of your case.