How Long Does it Take for Insurance to Investigate a Car Accident?

After a car accident, it can feel like the days and weeks drag on until you reach the resolution to the crash. And when you file a claim with insurance, the length of the process is never certain, spanning from a matter of weeks to several months, depending on the circumstances.

When the process starts to feel overwhelming, car accident lawyers are here to help  manage details from documentation to deadlines and negotiations. We’re experts in the field with knowledge varying from the consequences of false statements to insurers to the role of medical records in car claims and more.

Average Investigations Timeline

In Arizona, car accident settlement timelines can vary, ranging from as few as two months to as many as eighteen months. It’s all dependent on a person’s specific case. More complicated cases, like those involving serious injuries, difficulty determining fault or multiple parties affected, can take years to reach a resolution.

Typical Car Accident Insurance Investigation Timeline

Understanding the Process

Though the timeline can differ per case, the process typically looks the same. Let’s break down what a typical settlement process looks like:

1. After the car accident, medical treatment and documentation takes top priority. After all, nothing is more important than your health! This first step lays the foundation of the entire claim. 
2. Anyone involved in a car accident should file a claim with their insurance company within the first few days. This is a critical time in the investigation, and insurers will want to start digging into the case.
3. From here, the investigation begins and an assigned insurance adjustor begins sifting through police reports, witness statements, and evaluating any damages.
4. Anyone hurt in the accident will need to reach ‘maximum medical improvement,’ which can take some time. This is the point in the recovery process when a doctor can properly estimate the long-term outlook for any injuries. Then, an attorney can send their demand letter with these details and make their compensation request.
5. An insurance company will almost never take the first offer, so it’s important to prepare for negotiations. Depending on the case’s complexity, this can be one of the lengthier parts of the process, often lasting weeks.
6. Once a settlement is reached, final paperwork is completed and final disbursement of funds is done within the next few weeks! 

Possible Delays to the Timeline

The more complicated the case, the longer the settlement process will take. Any of these factors can prompt a delay in reaching the end:

• Severe injuries
• Unclear fault to be found
• Back-and-forth negotiations with insurance companies
• Missing or incomplete documents
• Pre-existing medical conditions
• High-value claims needing additional approvals
• Limited insurance coverage and multiple claims
• Court backlogs

Why Work with Expert Attorneys?

It’s possible the case can be resolved quickly! Having strong evidence, well-organized documentation and a good lawyer in your corner can fast-track you to the finish line. 

Experts like our team at Gage Mathers Law Group have a 99.99% success rate, because your rights and recovery come first. From the initial investigation to the final settlement, we’re here for you every step of the way.

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 24 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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