How Long Does it Take to Settle a Car Accident Case in Houston?

In Texas, the time it takes to settle a car accident case varies. It can range from a few months to several years. The duration depends on the complexity of the case and when your medical treatment is completed.

The time it takes to settle a case depends on several factors. These factors include the severity of the accident, the number of people involved, and the amount of insurance available. Understanding the process is essential.

Personal injury lawyers in Texas typically charge between 33% and 40% of the final settlement in car accident cases.

It’s important to speak with your lawyer upfront about this cost.

Once the release is signed, the insurance company typically takes five days to issue the settlement check. Your lawyer will hold the money in a trust account until it clears and deducts any outstanding expenses and liens.

However, Baumgartner Law Firm recommends always setting a time limit to receive the funds from the adjuster.

If the insurance company’s offer is not good enough or there are problems with who is responsible, filing a lawsuit might be needed to determine the case’s worth. A lawsuit can significantly extend the settlement timeline.

Court cases in Harris County, TX can take a long time, usually 1-2 years or even more. This is because of factors such as court availability, case backlog, and case complexity. These factors contribute to the lengthy duration of court cases in the county. Therefore, filing a lawsuit can significantly prolong the overall settlement timeline.

Other factors, such as Medicare liens, ongoing medical treatment, or complex issues, can make the settlement process more complicated and slow. Negotiating medical liens and resolving subrogation claims can take time, especially if the liens are from Medicare or Medicaid.

Ongoing medical care may require a thorough assessment of future medical expenses, which can prolong the settlement negotiations. Overall, these additional factors can add several months to the settlement timeline. Here are some tips to deal with liens on your case.

Injuries that take longer to heal or complications that arise later can significantly impact the settlement process. Such injuries can lead to delays, as ongoing medical care and additional treatments may be required. These delays can extend the settlement timeline, potentially adding several months or more to the process.

The complexity of the accident can impact the settlement timeline. Cases with obvious fault and minor injuries can be resolved quickly, usually within a few weeks after medical treatment is finished. However, more time may be required when the fault is difficult to prove or many parties are involved in the case.

If you have a car accident with an uninsured driver, you may not know how to get compensation for the damages. This can be a confusing and frustrating situation. In such cases, you may have to rely on your own insurance coverage to cover the costs. It is important to be prepared for such situations and understand your insurance policy.

One of the options to consider is checking your insurance policy. Insured motorist coverage can provide financial protection if you sustain injuries in an accident caused by an uninsured driver. This coverage typically helps cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages you may have incurred.

Several important consequences may occur when you are at fault for a car accident. Firstly, you will be responsible for the damages and injuries caused by the accident. This means you might have to cover the cost of repairing or replacing the vehicles involved and any medical expenses for the injured parties.

In addition to financial obligations, your insurance rates are likely to increase. Insurance companies often consider at-fault accidents to indicate risky behavior, so your premium may increase significantly. This increase can last several years, resulting in higher overall costs for your coverage.

It is important to note that not all injury cases are settled. Most cases are settled through negotiations, but sometimes insurance companies deny claims or offer too little money. In such situations, when negotiations yield no results, the injured party can file a lawsuit and bring their case to court.

When a personal injury case goes to trial, obtaining compensation often takes considerably longer. This is due to the extensive preparation required for trial proceedings. Furthermore, opting for a trial can be more financially burdensome than negotiating a settlement privately. If the evidence strongly supports the injured party’s claim, going to trial can lead to a better outcome.

Insurance companies may employ various tactics to avoid paying compensation to claimants. Here are a few common strategies that insurance adjusters might utilize:

1. Offering Early Settlements: Adjusters may rush claimants into accepting an early settlement. Be careful with offers that may limit future compensation opportunities. Approach them cautiously to avoid potential restrictions on future claims.
2. Requesting Recorded Statements: Insurance companies might ask claimants to provide recorded statements regarding the accident or incident. It’s best to talk to a lawyer before answering questions or making statements, as the information could be used against you.
3. Utilizing Fear and Scare Tactics: Adjusters sometimes use emotional manipulation to pressure claimants to accept a settlement offer. They might claim that the amount offered is the final and best offer. This leaves little time to seek legal advice or carefully review the offer.
4. Denying Claims: In some instances, insurance adjusters might unjustifiably deny a claim without proper reasoning or justification. They may count on claimants not noticing or challenging such denials, hoping to avoid paying compensation.
5. Blaming You: Insurers may try to say the injuries or damages were your fault. They might say it was all or partly your fault. By doing so, they aim to reduce or eliminate the compensation deserved by the claimant.

Our law firm in Houston handles a wide range of car accident cases. We have experience handling different types of accidents. These include highway crashes, left turn collisions, intersection accidents, drunk driving crashes, fatal car accidents, and head-on collisions. Our team can help with any car accident, big or small. We provide expert legal assistance and support for all types of cases.

Our founder attorney, Greg Baumgartner, has over 35 years of experience and has been peer-reviewed preeminent for decades.