How long does a car accident lawsuit take in Houston?

How long does a car accident lawsuit take in Houston?

How long does it take to get a trial in Harris County?

If your case cannot settle for a fair amount, your attorney will file a lawsuit. A Houston personal injury lawsuit can take well over a year to get to the first trial setting.  With the backlog of cases in Harris County, it isn’t easy to get a trial in the first trial setting.

Between 1 year and two years is the most reasonable estimate of when you may get to a trial.

How long does the auto accident trial last?

Cases can take as little as 1 to 2 days or go on for weeks. A lot depends on the complexity of the case, the number of parties, and the damages in dispute.

Do I need a lawyer to file a car crash injury lawsuit?

If a lawsuit must be filed, getting an attorney is suggested.

Not every case requires a lawsuit. For example, 15 or 20 years ago, about 80% of all automobile accident claims were settled before filing a lawsuit.

But, in the meantime, Texas has enacted “tort reform,” which has encouraged automobile insurance companies and adjusters to take a more hardline approach to injury victims.

The net result of this law change is that, more often than not, a Houston car accident lawyer must file a lawsuit to get the insurance company’s attention focused rightly on your claim.

Of course, that is not to say that your case will end up going to a trial, as most cases settle before the trial starts. But the odds of a car accident lawsuit being filed are much higher today than they were before “tort reform.”

The reason is with tort reform, it is much easier for an insurance company to lowball and force a trial on both their insured and the innocent victim. Usually, the insurer uses employee counsel to reduce the costs of disputing every case.

How does a collision accident attorney work?

From the attorney’s perspective, the process begins with the signing up of the case. After the lawyer is hired for the injury claim, the initial investigation begins. An investigation is needed whether your claim is a car accident, truck crash, or motorcycle accident.

However, the negotiation process does not usually start until the car accident victims have been released from treatment or reached maximum medical improvement and the medical records are obtained.

Only then can the attorney present the claim to the insurance company for negotiation about a settlement. This process can take 3 to 6 months after doctors have discharged the injury victim.

The main reason for the delay is the length of time it takes doctors and hospitals to respond with medical records and bills. That can take much longer than you would expect.

Working with the best car accident lawyer near you is an excellent first step in maximizing your damages. To speak with an experienced car accident lawyer in Houston, call (281) 587-1111.

If a lawsuit is filed, your “day in court” can be as early as a year from the date of filing in Harris County, Texas, but most often, it is closer to two years. The exact day is up to the court, and it is not unusual to have multiple settings before a trial is conducted on a case.

Speak with a Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston

If you have been hurt in a car accident, call to talk with a leading Personal injury lawyer in Houston at Baumgartner Law Firm about your rights, options, and next steps.

Call (281) 587-1111