How long does it take to settle a pedestrian accident? How long it takes to settle a pedestrian accident varies based on the length of treatment for injuries, evidence collection, the insurance claims process, and whether a lawsuit is necessary.
Meet with an Arlington pedestrian accident lawyer, and they will look for ways to help you settle.
The Time Required to Treat Injuries from a Pedestrian Accident Can Impact the Timeline for a Settlement
In terms of how long it can take to settle your pedestrian accident, it’s important to give yourself plenty of time to recover from your injuries. Your Arlington personal injury lawyer will advise you to care for your injuries and to continue to do so for as long as your doctor recommends. Meanwhile, they can start to lay the foundation for their argument.
Ultimately, waiting to recover from your injuries can help you determine what to request in compensatory damages for your medical bills. Once you know this amount, your attorney can use your medical expenses in conjunction with other evidence to help you secure damages.
At The Texas Law Dog, our attorneys don’t just bark, they bite. We have years of experience and provide comprehensive legal guidance and support to those injured in pedestrian accidents and their families. We can teach you about the common causes of pedestrian accidents and what to do to get compensation for your losses from such an incident. Contact us to learn more.
You’ll Need Time to Collect Evidence Before You Can Settle Your Pedestrian Accident Case
As you think about how long it can take to settle your pedestrian accident, account for the evidence that you will need to prove negligence. Outside of your medical bills, your pedestrian accident attorney can help you obtain witness statements, police reports, photos and videos from the crash scene, and other forms of proof.
Your personal injury attorney can share information about how personal injury structured settlements work and if getting one is an option for you. Ideally, your lawyer can negotiate a pedestrian accident settlement with a liable party or their insurer. Yet, if no agreement is reached, your attorney has no issue with going to trial.
Based on Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you generally have up to two years to file a lawsuit if you’re injured in a pedestrian accident. Prior to going to trial, your lawyer can continue to engage in settlement negotiations with the defendant in your lawsuit. At the same time, they want to have your case ready to go in front of a judge or jury.
How an Insurance Company Treats Your Claim Can Dictate the Time It Takes to Settle Your Pedestrian Crash Case
Unfortunately, an at-fault party’s insurance company can play a major role in how long it takes to settle your pedestrian accident case. If this insurer contests your claim or offers a lowball settlement, they can prolong your case.
Your pedestrian crash attorney can explain what a good settlement offer includes. They are willing to go back and forth with an at-fault party’s insurance company as they negotiate a settlement. If any offers are made, you can evaluate them with your lawyer.
Remember, just because you get a settlement offer for your pedestrian accident doesn’t mean that the proposal will compensate you for your tangible and intangible losses. If you aren’t fully satisfied with a settlement offer, your lawyer can keep negotiating with an at-fault party’s insurer. Alternatively, you still have the option of filing a lawsuit and presenting your case in court.
Filing a Lawsuit Can Impact the Settlement Timeline for Pedestrian Accident Cases
Sometimes, if your medical bills are more than a settlement that a liable party’s insurer offers, your lawyer will encourage you to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit. The time frame for bringing your case to trial will depend on court backlogs and other factors. It can be months or longer before your lawyer is able to argue your case to a judge or jury.
The settlement negotiations that take place prior to your trial can affect how long it can take to resolve your pedestrian accident case. Your lawyer can keep the lines of communication open with the defendant. By doing so, they can continue to negotiate with them in the hopes of getting you a settlement that aligns with your expectations.
Of course, settlement negotiations do not come with guarantees. If the defendant claims that you’re partly or primarily liable for your accident, your lawyer can explain to a judge or jury why this party was negligent and should cover your pedestrian accident losses.
Various Other Factors Can Influence the Timeline for Pedestrian Accident Settlements
Disputes over liability can extend how long it can take for you to settle your pedestrian accident case. If an at-fault party or their insurance company says you share the blame for your accident and injuries, evidence can help you disprove their argument. Because of this, it’s paramount to allocate substantial time to collect proof to support your case.
The total damages that you claim in your pedestrian accident case can affect the settlement timeline. If you ask for damages for lost wages, pain and suffering, and many other losses, your compensation request is likely to receive heavy scrutiny from a liable party or their insurer.
Your legal representation can impact how long you’ll need to settle your case. If you have a pedestrian accident attorney who has handled many cases similar to yours on your side, you can get the legal help you need to expedite your case’s settlement timeline.
Trust Us to Help You Settle Your Pedestrian Accident Case
At The Texas Law Dog, we want to help you resolve your pedestrian accident case without delay. Our personal injury attorneys can discuss how long it can take to settle your pedestrian accident case.
We will remain on your side throughout settlement negotiations and litigation. To find out more, request a free case review.
