- March 7, 2024
When injured by another person's negligence, you may have extensive medical bills and other expenses. Depending on your injury, you might be unable to work for a long time. All this affects your financial state, so it is not unusual to want to know how long your case will last.Our personal injury lawyers at Goodman Acker P.C. will provide the answer to this all-important question. Our firm offers diligent representation to injured clients, and we have successfully guided numerous victims to financial settlements. Contact us at 248-286-8100 to learn more about our services.
Why Choose Our Detroit Personal Injury Lawyers?
Our personal injury lawyers at Goodman Acker P.C. have spent years helping victims seek compensation from those who caused harm. We understand the complexities of personal injury cases and have developed winning techniques for facing each challenge. Our team knows the financial impact of accident injuries and will work hard to get you a speedy settlement.
We are genuinely invested in our client’s cases and will aggressively fight for you until we win.
We will not compromise in getting your maximum compensation and will ensure the settlement covers your current and future expenses from the accident. Our client testimonials speak to our 99% success rate, and we remain committed to getting favorable results. Call us today at 248-286-8100 to talk with our Detroit personal injury lawyer to learn more about how we can help you.
What Is the Process of a Personal Injury Case?
The steps involved in a personal injury case include the following:
- Reaching maximum medical improvement (MMI)
- Submitting the claim to the insurance company
- Negotiating with the insurance adjuster
- Proceeding through litigation or mediation
- Reaching a final settlement award.
MMI stands for maximum medical improvement. This is when your doctor declares that no further treatment is available and that you have healed as much as possible from the injuries. Even if you have residual pain or other complications, you may be declared at MMI if all medical options have been exhausted and the residual effects are most likely permanent.
Reaching the MMI before pursuing a claim with the insurance company is important. Should you settle for an award before getting well and suffer unexpected medical complications later on that require expensive treatment, you will be unable to receive more compensation. By waiting until you reach MMI, which may take months, you can ensure there will be no other complications from your initial injury that will require more compensation.
After you have reached MMI, our Detroit personal injury lawyers will prepare a submittal package for the insurance company. This package includes information regarding your injuries, medical records, financial damages and losses, and a statement of the overall estimated value of your case. Once the insurance company receives the package, a negotiation may begin. This may last from a few weeks to a few months.
We will file a lawsuit and proceed to trial if we cannot agree on a settlement. Depending on the court schedule, getting a trial date may take one to three years. However, only about 10% of personal injury cases proceed to trial; most settle out of court.
When Will Your Personal Injury Case Last Longer?
A personal injury case may last longer than a few months for several reasons. For example, if it proceeds to trial, it could last years longer than a case settled in the negotiation stage. Furthermore, the complexity of a claim can impact how long it lasts.
It will also last longer if:
- The case involves a large amount of money
- The victim is taking a long time to reach MMI
- The case involves factual disputes.
Depending on the situation, the insurance company may dispute your claim. They might say your injuries are not as severe as you say or dispute who is liable for the accident. It is important to have experienced representation to uphold your right to compensation.
Overall, cases involving straightforward liability and low damage amounts settle within a few months or a year. On the other hand, claims with increasing complexity may last a few years or more.
Can an Attorney Speed Up the Personal Injury Process?
Yes. Working with an experienced and aggressive personal injury lawyer in Detroit can speed up the claim process. Indeed, there may be unavoidable delays, especially when insurance companies are unreasonable in negotiations or during the discovery process. However, our lawyers can significantly reduce the time it takes to come to a resolution.
If you deal with insurance companies alone, you’ll be in a ‘war of attrition.’ This means that rather than settling immediately, the insurance company will play the long game, dragging out negotiations until you give up from frustration, exhaustion, or both.
The war of attrition tactic works because the victims’ financial state will become more dire, causing them to accept less than they deserve.
Our Detroit personal injury attorneys at Goodman Acker P.C. understand how the war of attrition works and have developed effective ways to counteract it. We will keep the insurance company from wasting time and conclude negotiations expeditiously. Also, we know all the documents needed for a claim or lawsuit and will put them together quickly.
With us, there are fewer chances of filing mistakes which could delay your injury claim. We will ensure all necessary information is correctly entered and the physical evidence needed for your case is ready on time. The bottom line is you will resolve your matter faster and get the more compensation than if you choose to handle it yourself and risk getting a meager settlement.
How Long Will My Personal Injury Case Last FAQs
Those who come to us to pursue a personal injury claim always have questions for our attorneys. The following are some of the most frequent ones, and we will provide extensive answers when you visit our law firm:
Can My Injury Case Conclude Within Months?
Yes. Your personal injury case can conclude within months if you have all the needed evidence, make no mistakes in the paperwork, and work with an experienced lawyer.
Does the Duration of My Personal Injury Claim Affect Lawyer Fees?
It could. Generally, lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, usually between 33% to 40%. But you can negotiate a shorter percentage if your case concludes earlier, like months, instead of years.
What Happens If I Don’t Settle My Case on Time? Will the Statute of Limitations Affect It?
No, the statute of limitations will not affect your case as long as you’ve filed one. The statute of limitations only comes into effect when you fail to commence your claim within the time permitted by law.
What Happens If I Accept the First Settlement?
If you accept the first settlement, your case concludes. Even if you later discover you had not attained MMI, there’s nothing a lawyer can do for you unless there’s evidence of fraud or bad faith from the insurance company.
Get Passionate Representation for Your Personal Injury Claim in Detroit
Goodman Acker P.C. provides tenacious legal services to clients pursuing a financial settlement. Whether your case is settled through negotiation or goes to trial, our Detroit personal injury attorneys will stand by your side every step of the way. We will work hard to meet your legal needs promptly and get a quick but favorable resolution.
Contact us today at 248-286-8100 to book a free case review.