There is not a perfect way to determine how long a motorcycle accident claim takes to settle since every case is different. However, it could take a few months to a few years, depending on how the case is resolved. Civil lawsuits go to trial unless both parties can reach an agreement before the trial happens. Court systems have many other cases going to trial, so waiting to go to trial for your case can take a long time.
Civil cases end in settlement agreements, which can significantly shorten the amount of time that you have to wait. There is a trade-off when accepting a settlement agreement, so it may be in your best interest to hire a lawyer who can review the contract and renegotiate for a better deal. If you are considering filing a motorcycle accident claim, discuss the case with a lawyer for a more detailed understanding of how long that case should take to resolve.
Auto Insurance Settlements
Resolving vehicle accidents can involve insurance companies since every driver should have some type of insurance. When insurance companies get involved, the chances of your being offered a settlement agreement may increase. This is because insurance companies like to offer settlement agreements as a way of handling cases without going to trial.
There are regulations to make sure that insurance companies handle cases in a predictable and fair manner. Because of this, dealing with insurance companies can be easier than taking a case to trial. However, that is still an option if you decide that the settlement that you are offered is inadequate and you are unable to negotiate a better deal.
Statute of Limitations
Dealing with a lawsuit related to your accident can be stressful, which is why some accident victims want to take some time to think about what they want to do while they recover. If you are trying to decide whether or not you should file a lawsuit, you should be aware of the statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations places a legal time limit on how long you have to file your lawsuit after the date of the accident, as per the Legal Information Institute (LII). Most states do this to make sure that victims take action within a reasonable amount of time or forfeit their claims to liability so that the other party can move on.
You can file a personal injury claim to cover medical expenses and lost wages. In addition, you can file a property damage claim to cover any items that were lost or damaged in the accident. The claims can be filed separately, but some cases combine them to make the legal process easier to manage.
Your state’s statute of limitations may not be a lot of time to recover from your injuries and begin the legal process. However, accident victims can take time to recover and think about what they want to do. It may be helpful to speak to a lawyer about taking legal action before it is too late.
Seeking Compensation
The expenses you have that are related to your accident can begin to pile up quickly. Fortunately, you can take legal action to receive compensation for those expenses by filing a lawsuit. Your lawsuit contains claims based on different causes of action, which are the specific statutes for categorizing claims. Your case may involve several causes of action including property damage and personal injury.
Any medical expenses related to your accident can be claimed, including long-term and ongoing medical care services. The damage to your motorcycle can be claimed under the property damage cause of action. This also includes your helmet, riding clothes, and any other property that you had on you at the time that was damaged in the accident.
There are other possible claims that you can file for depending on the circumstances of your accident. Work with your lawyer to identify as many claims as possible to make sure that you receive enough compensation to cover everything.
Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation
Working with a lawyer could be a good option for resolving your motorcycle accident. There are many problems to address and hiring a legal team can make the process easier.
Your lawyer can also help you determine how long a motorcycle accident claim can take to settle based on the specifics of your case. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, take legal action to collect financial compensation. Call the offices of Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 223-5115 for a free consultation about your case.