How Long Does an Alabama Car Accident Settlement Take?

Settling an Alabama car accident case can range from a few weeks to several months or longer. The exact time your case could take to resolve depends on various factors, including the severity of your injuries, the complexity of establishing liability, and the tactics used by the insurance company.

Learning how long it could take to recover compensation is natural if you are healing from serious injuries after a car crash. You likely have medical bills, lost wages, and other losses to contend with. An Alabama car accident settlement is often the fastest way to get the money you need, but be cautious. Insurance companies may push low settlement offers that ignore the true cost of your injuries and losses.

What Is a Normal Timeline for Car Accident Settlements in Alabama?

No “normal” timeline to reach a car accident settlement exists. Every case is unique. The time it takes to build a persuasive claim, file it, and reach a resolution varies based on the circumstances of the case.

Still, different procedures can affect the timeline of your car accident claim. For example, you need substantial evidence to support your case after a crash, which you should ideally collect within the first few weeks after the collision.

You can support your version of events with evidence such as:

• Accident scene photographs
• Police reports
• Witness statements
• Traffic camera footage
• Copies of your medical records.

However, it takes time to collect and organize this evidence, especially when you’re hurt. An experienced car accident lawyer at Gartlan Injury Law can manage the entire process as soon as you hire us. We may also supplement your case with testimony from medical experts and accident reconstruction specialists to explain the more technical aspects of your case.

Once your attorney has the evidence they need, they can submit your car accident claim to the at-fault driver’s auto insurance company. If the insurer accepts your claim, you and your attorney can enter settlement negotiations to seek compensation for your injuries. For an accepted claim, the entire case may take only a few weeks or months from start to finish.

If the insurer initially denies your claim, the process may take longer to complete. Your attorney may recommend appealing the decision. If that fails, it could be time to file a car accident lawsuit. You and the insurance company can agree to a settlement at any time before a verdict is issued, including during trial proceedings. If the case proceeds to litigation, be prepared for it to take a year or more to resolve.

What Factors Could Affect the Duration of an Alabama Car Accident Settlement?

Several factors could affect the time it takes to settle your Alabama car accident case, such as:

• Injury severity – The more serious your injuries, the longer it may take to settle your case. More severe injuries typically require extensive medical treatment, and it’s usually in your best interest to reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) — the point where no further recovery is expected — before agreeing to a settlement.
• Liability determination – If the parties dispute fault, car accident cases can take longer to settle. For example, if the crash involved multiple parties or if the responsible party blames you, your case could stall until liability questions get resolved.
• Insurance tactics – Unfortunately, insurance companies sometimes employ bad faith tactics, such as intentionally delaying settlements, to pressure victims into accepting less than their case is worth. An Alabama car accident lawyer with experience dealing with these ploys can enforce your rights if the insurer engages in unfair practices.

What Can You Do to Help Accelerate Your Car Accident Settlement Process?

You can’t prevent every delay in the car accident claims process. However, you can take proactive steps toward a more efficient settlement.

Follow these tips:

• Seek ongoing medical treatment – Follow your doctor’s orders precisely. Once you reach maximum medical improvement, your lawyer can better estimate your future medical expenses.
• Document everything – Photograph your visible injuries, write down everything you remember about the car crash, and take notes on how your injuries and pain levels affect your daily life.
• Work with an Alabama car accident lawyer at Gartlan Injury Law – When you work with an experienced car accident attorney at our law firm, they can determine what it takes to build a strong case and present it effectively to the insurance company. The sooner the claim is filed, the quicker you’ll be on your way toward a resolution for your case.

What Should a Reasonable Car Accident Settlement Offer Include?

A reasonable car accident settlement offer should include fair compensation for your past and future losses related to the collision. Past losses include medical expenses, the cost of physical therapy, and lost wages. By contrast, compensation for future losses may consist of money for the cost of ongoing treatment, long-term nursing care, and your reduced earning potential if the injury prevents you from working.

A reasonable offer should consider not only your economic losses, but also other personal losses that don’t have a concrete dollar value. Non-economic damages account for intangible losses like:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Lost quality of life
• Scarring or disfigurement.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing an Alabama Car Accident Claim?

Alabama law generally gives a car accident victim two years from the date they suffered injuries in an accident to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party (or parties). Even though the clock typically starts on the date of the accident, it may be delayed if you didn’t know (and reasonably couldn’t have known) that you suffered an injury related to the crash.

Additionally, there is a two-year time limit for filing wrongful death lawsuits for fatal collisions. This time limit begins on the date of death, which may differ from the date of the crash.

Contact an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer

Gartlan Injury Law is a Dothan, Alabama-based personal injury law firm that puts our clients’ needs first. When you work with us, your car accident attorney will take the time to get to know you and understand the details of your situation. We believe communication is key. So, we will prioritize keeping you updated on the progress of your case and being available to answer your questions.

But don’t just take our word for it. Check out our testimonials to see how past clients feel about working with our dedicated personal injury lawyers.

For honest legal representation, aggressive trial strategies, and a commitment to pursuing results that count, contact Gartlan Injury Law today for a free consultation.

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Aaron Gartlan

Aaron Gartlan is a graduate of Troy University and the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law who focuses his practice exclusively on representing those injured by the wrongdoing of others. He is member of the National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. In addition to his legal practice, Aaron teaches Business Law as an adjunct instructor at Troy University’s Sorrell College of Business and serves as a field artillery sergeant in the Alabama National Guard.