When determining how long it will take to settle your personal injury case, the short answer is: “It depends." Many factors could affect the length of a personal injury case, including the level of harm, medical treatment, insurance coverage, liability disputes, Medicaid, Medicare, liens, and the court docket. If liability (i.e. who was at fault) is not in dispute, a case might get resolved quickly. Then again, even where liability is admitted, there may be an argument over how much money the at-fault party’s insurance company owes you. In these instances, a lawsuit may be required. Once a lawsuit is filed, it is generally months and in some cases years before a dispute is resolved in South Carolina.

We Try to Settle Your Case Before Filing a Lawsuit

If I believe there is a chance to settle your case without filing suit, we will submit a "demand package" to the at-fault party’s insurer. The demand package includes your medical records, lost wage information, relevant photos, video, accident reports, witness statements, and all other favorable evidence. In most instances, the insurer will respond to our demand within one month. Their response begins the negotiating process. Negotiations sometimes take only a few days. Other times, negotiations breakdown and lead to me filing a lawsuit on your behalf.

How Long Does It Take for an Injury Case To Go To Trial?

Taking a personal injury case to trialIn South Carolina, it generally takes one year from the date a lawsuit is filed for that case to be called to trial. However, insurance companies often try to delay the process, resulting in cases not being called to trial for 18-24 months. Fortunately, most accident cases settle short of trial. In fact, more than 90% of lawsuits in our state are settled prior to trial. And though I would prefer my clients not have to wait years for closure and compensation, if the insurance company refuses to treat you fairly, I will not hesitate to try your case before a jury should that become the only avenue to justice.

I hope this article provides some insight as to why personal injury cases often take more time than clients and the South Carolina personal injury lawyer who represents them wish they would. If you have any further questions, request free copies of my books and call us today at 803-790-2800 (Columbia, SC) / 843-427-2800 (Myrtle Beach, SC), or start a live chat day or night.

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Kenneth Berger
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Columbia and Myrtle Beach car accident and personal injury lawyer dedicated to securing justice for clients.