If it has been too long since you filed a personal injury claim or lawsuit and it hasn’t settled yet, you may feel frustrated and confused. The reason why your case is taking too long depends on the facts of your particular case.
As a rule of thumb, you can settle a personal injury case quickly if you are willing to accept a low settlement offer, there are no disputes over liability, and/or your injury is minor. These factors affect the timeline of your personal injury claim in Florida.
If you want to speed up the claims process and obtain fair compensation for your financial losses, contact a Lakeland personal injury attorney at The Turnbull Firm.
Reasons why your personal injury case is taking so long
The following three factors are the main reasons why your personal injury case is taking too long to settle.
Disputes over liability or other legal issues
Do not expect your insurance company to make a fair settlement offer if there are legal issues surrounding your personal injury cases. Common legal issues that can delay the claims process include:
If you encounter any of these legal problems, you need to hire a personal injury attorney to gather sufficient evidence to prove your claim. A skilled lawyer will help you eliminate all legal issues in your case to help you receive compensation in a timely manner.
Your personal injury case involves significant damages
The second reason why your personal injury case may be delayed is that you demand a large amount of compensation. There is nothing wrong with demanding a large settlement as long as the amount is fair and reasonable.
If your personal injury case involves significant damages because you suffered a severe or catastrophic injury, the insurance company will delay settling your claim until it is 100% confident that the settlement amount is reasonable.
When you demand a large amount of compensation, it is critical to be represented by an experienced and detail-oriented personal injury attorney to convince the insurance company that:
- You are not exaggerating the severity of your injuries;
- The other party was clearly at fault for causing your injury;
- There was nothing you could reasonably have done to mitigate the damages; and
- There is undeniable and sufficient evidence to prove your claim.
You are still recovering from the injury
If you are still receiving treatment, it is not surprising why your personal injury case is taking so long. You should reach the maximum medical improvement (MMI) before settling your claim.
The MMI is the point at which your medical condition has stabilized, and your doctor believes that no further improvement is possible. While the MMI does not mean that you have fully recovered, it means that you have recovered as much as possible.
Your personal injury attorney may advise you to wait until you have reached MMI before settling your claim. If you are still receiving treatment, it is difficult to predict all future expenses.
If you worry that your personal injury case is taking too long to settle, consult with our experienced attorney Sanga Turnbull to review your particular case and help you receive the compensation you deserve as soon as possible. Call 863-324-3500 for a case review.