How Long Does it Take for a Car Accident Lawsuit or Claim to Settle or Resolve in Illinois?
If you have been involved in an accident, such as a motor vehicle accident or a truck accident, you are probably wondering how long your claim will take. When will you be able to put this case behind you? After all, you were injured through no fault of your own—why should you have to wait to receive your compensation and move forward with your life?
As with many aspects of the legal world, it is likely that your accident case will take at least a few months to resolve. However, with the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney, your case will be handled as expeditiously as possible. After you have been involved in an accident, you should seek legal counsel right away to begin the claims process.
Why does it take a while to resolve an accident claim? First of all, it often takes a while to gather all of the documents that are needed to thoroughly evaluate a claim. In some cases, it can take a few weeks for requested documents, such as medical records, to be produced. Tracking down witnesses and obtaining statements from those witnesses can also be a lengthy process, and waiting for law enforcement to conduct an investigation into the accident also takes some time.
Additionally, the claim cannot be finalized until the victim has been able to provide evidence of all of the damages he is seeking in the claim. For example, a finalized damages claim could not be presented to the opposing party if the victim has not completed all of his current medical treatment. It is not unusual for accident victims to need a few weeks of treatment after an accident. Finalizing the claim too early may eliminate these damages from an award the victim is entitled to. Of course, it is possible to claim future medical expenses in an accident claim, but the victim must provide an estimate of these damages, as well an explanation of why the treatment is necessary.
Handling an accident claim requires a number of different people. Aside from your attorney, there are insurance adjusters, medical facility employees, and members of law enforcement. In some cases, insurance adjusters are slow at responding to accident claims. It is also not uncommon for multiple insurance adjusters to work on the same claim, and it can be frustrating to wait for a new adjuster to review the case after working with several other adjusters.
As the victim of an accident, you should focus on recovering from your injuries and getting back on your feet. Your injury attorney will handle your claim on your behalf and will ensure that your legal rights are protected and that the case moves forward as quickly as possible.
If you were injured, contact Stein & Shulman, LLC today
At Stein & Shulman, our Chicago personal injury attorneys are experienced in traumatic brain injury claims. To schedule your free consultation with our firm, call 312.422.0500 today.
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At Stein & Shulman, we hold negligent drivers accountable for accidents. If you were injured in a vehicle accident in Illinois, contact Stein & Shulman, LLC, today to discuss your legal options with a skilled traffic accident claims attorney in Chicago. You can schedule a case consultation at no cost to you by calling our office at (312) 422-050 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Stein & Shulman, LLC
134 N LaSalle St, #820
Chicago, IL 60602
312.422.0500
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