How Long Does It Take to Settle a Pedestrian Accident

Posted on May 10, 2024 by Admin

Pedestrian accidents are traumatic and life-altering events, often resulting in serious injuries or even fatalities. If you or your loved one were involved, you need to understand the settlement process to act appropriately. This will prevent legal trouble or allow the perpetrator to escape justice. The duration of the settlement process varies depending on the specifics of each case. It depends on the severity of injuries, how clear the liability is, the amount of available insurance coverage, and the willingness of parties to negotiate.

Let’s dive deep into the specifics of each factor to help you understand pedestrian accident settlement better. We hope that this knowledge will make the difference between a successful case for you and a potential loss.

What Factors Influence the Settlement Time of Pedestrian Accidents?

To understand the length of time required for the settlement process, you need to understand the different legal aspects of the case. Pedestrian accidents are not as clear-cut as they might seem in the eyes of the law. Here is how you can determine the time frame to set realistic expectations for the case duration.

Severity of Injuries

People may sustain different traumas during pedestrian accidents. The severity of these injuries affects the duration of treatment. This, in turn, delays the settlement and forces both parties to wait until the victims have recovered. But it doesn’t mean that you should remain idle. Use this period to ensure that the accident settlement covers all the costs. Include medical costs, lost wages, and emotional damages. In case of catastrophic injuries, you may extend the settlement process by turning to accident lawyers and medical professionals. They will assess ongoing care costs and potential future complications.

Legal Complexities

Pedestrian accidents are likely to involve complex legal issues that may prolong the settlement process. For instance, even local traffic laws affect how difficult it is to determine liability. The exact circumstances of the accident may affect the settlement and its duration. Sometimes you may have to deal with multiple parties or potential third-party claims. Naturally, the more sides involved in the case, the longer the procedures will take. There are other potential speed bumps. The opposite party may contest the fault, for one. There are also a number of issues regarding the specifics of the vehicles involved and the drivers.

Insurance Company Negotiations

Negotiations with insurance companies are often the most time-consuming part of the accident settlement process. Their job is to minimize the payout, which leads to long negotiations. The exact length of these discussions depends on how patient or stubborn the parties are. If the insurance company is efficient and your personal injury lawyer is persistent, the negotiations will go smoothly and quickly. To help them, you need to make sure that your case is backed by solid evidence and clear documentation of all damages and injuries. A comprehensive presentation of your case can significantly shorten how long does it take to settle a pedestrian accident.

Typical Timeline for Settling a Pedestrian Accident

The settlement process for a pedestrian accident varies from case to case. However, each accident case follows common stages. Here is a comprehensive overview of each one.

Immediate Steps Post-Accident

The first steps following a pedestrian accident sets the foundation for the accident claim. Immediate actions include medical treatment for injuries and contacting law enforcement to file a report. Consider consulting a pedestrian accident lawyer within a few days following the incident at most. The sooner, the better, as only they can determine what evidence can be used to build your case.

Investigation and Evidence Gathering

At this stage, you work with your personal injury lawyer to gather the evidence. Medical records, accident scene photos, witness statements, and expert testimonies establish the severity of injuries and determine the faults. This phase varies a lot, generally lasting several weeks to a few months. It depends on the complexity of the accident case and how much time it takes to gather all necessary information.

Negotiation and Settlement Phases

After gathering sufficient evidence, you can begin negotiations. This involves discussions between your accident lawyer and the insurance companies involved. The goal at this stage is reaching a fair accident settlement without proceeding to trial. This stage can take anywhere from a few months to a year. It depends heavily on your lawyer's negotiation skills and how cooperative the insurance company is. If negotiations stall or the offer from the insurance company is insufficient, the case may proceed to trial. Needless to say, it can double or triple the timeline.

Each phase of the settlement process requires great attention to detail and strategic planning. Most pedestrian accident claims are settled relatively quickly. But if they involve severe injuries or complex legal issues, the process can drag on for years. Remember to set realistic expectations, prepare adequately, and be patient.

Steps to Speed Up Your Settlement Process

There are a few ways to speed up the settlement process in your favor. Here are a few steps you should take to achieve a faster resolution to your accident claim.

Documentation and Evidence

Always collect evidence thoroughly and document it properly. This is vital if you want to succeed in the settlement process of a pedestrian accident claim and finish it as quickly as possible. As soon as you’ve got your bearings after the accident, gather as much information as possible. Take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damages incurred. Next, collect contact information from witnesses and get a copy of the police report. Detailed and well-organized documentation will help your accident lawyer build a strong case. Presenting clear facts gives you a strong position when negotiating with insurance companies.

Seeking Legal Assistance

Even the most comprehensive evidence is useless without a skilled pedestrian accident lawyer. Hiring a professional early on will greatly speed up the settlement process. A specialist specializing in personal injury cases related to pedestrian accidents will come up with a plan to use the law to your advantage. Your lawyer can take over the legal side of the case. They will file the accident claim in a timely manner and handle all communications with insurance companies. As a result, the settlement process will proceed smoothly.

Communicating Effectively with All Parties

Communication can make or break the accident settlement process. Make sure to keep all lines of communication with your lawyer open at all times. Provide them with all necessary information and updates regarding your medical treatment and recovery. A professional lawyer will also keep you informed about the progress of your accident case and give timely advice on the next steps. Clear communication between you, your lawyer, and the insurance companies helps avoid delays caused by misunderstandings or missing information.

Statistical Overview of Pedestrian Accident Settlements

Gaining a statistical perspective on pedestrian accident claims can provide valuable insights into the settlement process. It’s true that each case is unique. However, by doing research into the global averages, you will get a clear idea of what to expect in terms of timing and compensation. We have analyzed aggregated data of thousands of cases across the US to paint you a clear picture of the pedestrian accident settlement landscape.

Average Settlement Times

Pedestrian accident claims, on average, take six to twelve months. You’ll see this statistic very often, but it’s deceptive. This number applies to most cases because most accidents are clear-cut. Communication is streamlined thanks to the Internet, and insurance companies have a great track record of handling settlements quickly and efficiently. Most cases don’t involve going to court, which can add several years to the process. This is why, statistically, straightforward cases with clear liability and moderate injuries can be settled in under half a year. But if your particular scenario is complicated, especially if you require extensive medical treatment or involve contested liability, you’re looking at a year at least.

Compensation Ranges

Compensation in pedestrian accident claims also varies widely, and the aggregated average is just as misleading. On average, settlements in pedestrian accidents can range from a modest $10,000 up to six-figure sums. But what causes such a huge discrepancy? The upper limit is usually reserved for near-fatal injuries. However, the biggest factor is having a skilled pedestrian accident lawyer on your side. A professional can make every law and loophole work in the victim’s favor, turning seemingly ordinary settlements into very beneficial cases.

Understanding these statistical norms helps accident claimants and their accident lawyers set realistic expectations for their settlement process and strategically plan their actions to secure the best possible outcome in their pedestrian accident claims.

If you want the settlement process of a pedestrian accident to be quick and efficient, you need to go through several steps. A professional lawyer at Halvorsen Klote may help you settle the case, but you must be proactive as well. Always gather detailed evidence right after the incident. Get legal advice as soon as possible. Maintain clear communication with your lawyer and insurance firm. If you do everything correctly, the resolution will not take long and will be decisively in your favor.