If you’re considering filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit in Maryland you may be asking yourself: “how long does it take to settle a personal injury lawsuit?” At the Law Offices of Randolph Rice, we have years of experience taking our clients personal injury claims to trial. However, before ever considering a lawsuit, we always attempt to settle a personal injury case and claim with the insurance company. Below we will discuss how long it takes to settle a personal injury case in Maryland.
HOW LONG DOES A PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM TAKE?
A personal injury claim will take as long as necessary to ensure that the victim is fully compensated for their injuries and damages. Personal injury claims are intended to compensate the victims of an accident for their medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. It would be premature to settle a personal injury claim prior to the expiration of the medical treatment and lost time from work. For that reason, a personal injury claim should not be settled until all medical bills are accounted for and the victim of the accident returns to normal life.
INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL TRY TO RUSH A SETTLEMENT
It is not uncommon for the victim of an accident to receive a telephone call from an insurance company immediately after the accident. The insurance companies are known to try and settle an accident injury claim soon after to avoid exposure to higher costs for them. For this reason, you should never settle a personal injury claim until you have completed your medical treatment and you have returned to full strength after the injury. If an insurance company is able to convince you to settle prior to the completion of your treatment, they will ask you to sign a waiver and release form. By signing this form and accepting their check, you will have waived your right to reimbursement for all future costs and damages as a result of the accident.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SETTLE A PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM IN MARYLAND?
The best way to answer the question, “how long does it take to settle a personal injury claim” in Maryland is by looking at past experiences. Our personal injury lawyers have represented hundreds of victims and their personal injury claims and have a track record of successful settlements and judgments in their favor.
EXAMPLE OF A PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM SETTLEMENT
As an example, for a minor traffic accident where a victim and incurs soft tissue damage. The individual may see the doctors at a hospital and follow up with their primary care physician and physical therapy. The physical therapist may treat that individual for one to two months. Upon completion of physical therapy, the injured victim will visit the doctor for discharge. If the doctor discharges the patient and declares him or her fit, then the extent of medical expenses will have concluded.
At this point it typically takes 30 to 45 days to obtain medical records and submit a settlement claim demand to the insurance company. At that point the insurance company will review the claim and usually extend a settlement offer within 30 days. From the date of the accident to the offer to settle can usually run between 4 to 6 months for a minor traffic accident.
SETTLEMENT OF SERIOUS ACCIDENTS WITH INJURIES
However, more serious accidents or even medical malpractice claims may take years to settle as the victim may take longer to recover or heal. In situations where the victim of an accident will never fully recover, the claim must be settled within three years under the Maryland statute of limitations rule or a lawsuit may be filed to preserve the victims rights. Each personal injury claim and settlement is unique and different. Unfortunately, there is no prescribed amount of time that it will take, but the skilled personal injury lawyers with the Law Offices of Randolph Rice continually update their clients claims to ensure a speedy settlement.
FIND THE RIGHT PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER
Experienced lawyers who handle personal injury claims will be able to make your accident case run smoothly and keep the claim on track. The law offices of Randolph rice work with every client to get a quick and fair settlement after their accident. There lawyers understand that clients want to resolve their personal injury claims and move on after an accident. That’s why their office Works in efficient and expedient manner to fight for the fair and just resolution after an accident.
If you’ve been injured in an accident and have questions about how long it takes to settle a personal injury claim, contact the Law Offices of Randolph Rice to schedule a free consultation and discuss your matter.
