Once you’ve been injured and are in the healing stage, you may begin thinking about filing a personal injury claim. You may wonder how long that personal injury claim will take to resolve.

While there is no one simple answer to this question, as a general rule, a claim may take anywhere from two weeks to a few years. The amount of time depends on several factors, most importantly, the severity of the injury suffered and the amount of treatment required.

Also taken into consideration are the circumstances surrounding the injury. Did it result from a truck accident, car accident, a slip and fall, or medical malpractice? Specific causes may require more time to prove, thus taking longer to resolve a claim. The insurance companies may also provide several roadblocks that can delay a successful resolution to your lawsuit.

Here are the most common steps involved to give you a potential idea of how long it can take to resolve your personal injury claim.

1. Selecting a Personal Injury Attorney

Once initial medical treatment is received, choosing a personal injury attorney is your next step. Do diligent research, and look for one specializing in an area of personal injury law pertaining to your case, such as a vehicle accident attorney.

2. Legal Review and Investigation

At Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C., we offer a free initial consultation to review the facts of your case. During this review, you’ll be asked to provide information on the incident and the resulting medical injury or condition.

Afterward, your attorney gets to work gathering background information, medical records and bills, and any other documentation required. They may need to hire expert witnesses and seek out eyewitness testimonies or surveillance footage.

The circumstances of your accident and the extent of your injuries can affect how long it takes to collect all necessary evidence. This can take weeks or months for a thorough review.

3. Seek Settlement

Once confident enough in your case, your attorney reaches out to the negligent parties and seeks to settle your case. The majority of personal injury claims settle quickly, avoiding the high costs and time of a trial.

However, keep in mind that a settlement cannot be reached until more is known about your medical condition and any future medical care expenses your injury may incur. This is referred to as maximum medical improvement or MMI. It’s essential to wait until all this information can be determined before seeking a settlement.

4. File a Lawsuit

If the terms of a settlement are not agreed to by both parties, filing a personal injury lawsuit is the next step your personal injury attorney takes. This can delay a final resolution for at least a year or two in most states, as it takes this long to get a trial date.

A personal injury case takes time to resolve. Knowing the steps involved can help to keep your expectations realistic.

Contact our Personal Injury Attorneys in Michigan Today

The dedicated attorneys with Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C., know what it takes to file a personal injury claim and successfully reach a beneficial resolution for clients. Give our injury lawyers a call today at (866) 868-3779 and schedule your free consultation.