How Long Does a Car Accident Settlement Take?

How long a car accident settlement takes depends on several factors. Injuries and damages need time to be fully assessed. Negotiations can also stall, leading to a lawsuit, which takes additional time. Some accidents are settled in days or weeks, while others may take years. 

If you’ve been injured and need a car accident lawyer in Phoenix or anywhere in Arizona, Gage Mathers can help. Our depth of experience with Arizona law spans five decades. Let’s dive into some more information regarding the settlement process!

Determining the Extent of Damages and Injuries

After a car accident, shock and adrenaline are running high. As police and ambulances arrive, many people report feeling little or no pain and decline a trip to the hospital. However, the adrenaline soon fades and the pain sets in. Delaying that initial trip to the hospital after an accident can be a serious medical and financial mistake. 

Some injuries may take months to cause pain but will show up immediately in a medical examination. By not going to the hospital, accident victims risk the injury not being documented. 

Months later, when the pain shows up, your case may have already been settled. It makes getting compensated for the medical bills difficult if you cannot prove the injury was a result of the accident. By having those initial x-rays or exams, damage can be proven to be a result of the accident. 

Regarding property damage, getting a thorough and independent inspection is critical. If a body shop or an insurance adjuster misses frame damage or other serious breakage, this can lead to lower settlements. 

Benefits of Hiring an Experienced Lawyer

Many people wonder about how to settle a car accident claim without a lawyer. The answer is simple: you shouldn’t. You have absolutely nothing to lose by contacting a car accident attorney. The consultation is free, and we don’t get paid unless you win. 

After consulting with an attorney, it may come to light that the accident is minor, with no injuries and little chance of receiving a substantial settlement. If this is the case, your lawyer will be honest with you.

Once an attorney is hired, they can strengthen your case and will leave no stone unturned. A lawyer will look for injuries, damages, and punitive measures that can be taken to increase settlement amounts. While some cases end up in court, many are settled quickly. 

Arriving at a Settlement

Negotiating with insurance companies can be frustrating; they will use all sorts of mental gymnastics to justify paying as small a settlement as possible. Car accident attorneys are well-versed in these tactics. 

By presenting strong documentation surrounding the financial consequences of an accident, an attorney can help speed up negotiations. A simple letter from an attorney is a wake-up call that the insurance company needs to take your claim seriously. If they don’t, the legal costs alone can be larger than the settlement amount. Given the cost of going to trial, many insurance companies quickly settle for a reasonable amount.

Why Gage Mathers?

Our fifty years of experience in the Arizona car accident claims industry means we know our stuff. Our founder, David Gage, even helped draft legislation for Arizona’s current law on uninsured and underinsured drivers. 

With an understanding of both sides of the law, Gage Mathers is ready to assist you. We treat every client as if they were family at every step in the journey. Trust us with your case, and see how we can help secure the money you deserve!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 23 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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