How long does it take to settle a personal injury case?
In Pennsylvania, the time it takes to settle a personal injury case can vary greatly depending on a number of factors. Generally speaking, cases may take months or even years to settle. A case can take a long time, even if the parties come to an agreement quickly, because there are multiple steps that must be followed before a settlement is reached. First, the injured party must file a claim with their insurance company. This claim details the accident and the nature and severity of the injuries sustained. This process typically takes several weeks. Second, the insurance company may negotiate with the injured party to reach a settlement. This could involve reaching a dollar amount that both sides agree on. During this process, the insurer will investigate the accident to determine how much coverage should be provided. This process can take weeks or months. Third, if the parties do not reach a settlement agreement, the case could go to trial. At this point, the case will go through a pre-trial phase, during which depositions and other evidence are gathered. The trial itself can take several days or more, depending on the complexity of the case. Once a jury renders a verdict, the parties will then have to negotiate the payment of damages, which could take weeks or months as well. Throughout whatever timeline is chosen, both parties must work with their attorneys to reach a successful settlement.
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