After an accident, most people want answers to two questions: Do I have a case? and How long will this take? The second one can be tough because no two cases move at precisely the same pace, but some common factors affect the timeline.
Gathering the Facts
Once you hire a lawyer, the first step is building your case. This process involves collecting police reports, medical records, photographs, witness statements, and occasionally collaborating with experts. This process can take a few weeks for a straightforward accident or several months if the case is more involved. An experienced personal injury lawyer can be a valuable asset during this phase of the case.
Medical Recovery Comes First
Your lawyer will usually want you to reach what doctors call “maximum medical improvement” before trying to settle. That simply means your injuries have either healed or reached a point where your long-term outlook is clear. Settling too early can result in insufficient compensation for future care. Depending on the severity of your injuries, this stage can be relatively brief or take more than a year.
Negotiating a Settlement
When the medical picture is clearer, your lawyer will send what’s often referred to as “a demand” to the insurance company. “A demand” is a formal document sent to the at-fault party or their insurance company, outlining the facts of the accident, detailing the client's injuries and losses, explaining why the other party is responsible, and stating a specific monetary amount to settle the case. Sometimes negotiations go quickly, but if there are disputes about fault or the value of your injuries, this stage can stretch out.
If the Case Goes to Court
When settlement isn’t possible, filing a lawsuit is the next step. It’s essential to select a personal injury attorney and law firm with a strong record of success in the courtroom. There are several injury law firms in Connecticut that rarely, if ever, take cases to trial. The insurance companies know which firms those are – and handle their demands differently than those that come from firms known to be willing to take cases to trial.
In Connecticut, once a personal injury case enters the court system, it can take a year or more to reach trial. Even so, many cases settle along the way—sometimes just before trial begins.
What to Expect Overall
A simple case with minor injuries might settle in six to nine months. More serious or complicated cases can take one to two years or longer to resolve. The timeline depends on the complexity of the facts, the duration of medical treatment, the insurance company's willingness to negotiate fairly, and whether the case will require a trial.
The best way to get a realistic answer for your situation is to speak with a Connecticut personal injury lawyer. The lawyers at RisCassi & Davis are specialists in personal injury law. We can review the details and provide you with a clear understanding of what to expect—so you can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal process.
At RisCassi & Davis, we’ve helped people across Connecticut recover after serious accidents. We’ve assisted people injured for 70 years. We understand the laws, insurance coverage issues, and challenges associated with these cases.
We have also received meaningful state and national recognition for our work in this area of the law. If you would like a free consultation with one of our Connecticut injury lawyers, please contact us. There is no obligation.