Baxley Maniscalco Attorneys At Law
The average time it takes to resolve a personal injury case is about 11.4 months.
Approximately half of all claims are resolved within two to twelve months, but nearly one-third of claims take longer than a year to resolve. But does a faster result mean a better outcome?
Does Having a Lawyer Slow Down My Case?
Typically, yes. Individuals represented by lawyers tend to have a longer claim period, resolving their cases on average in around 15.7 months.
However, the extra time and work by an attorney tends to have a big payoff.
Individuals represented by an attorney receive settlements or jury verdicts that are approximately $60,000 higher than unrepresented claimants.
Why does a personal injury case take longer with an attorney? Because experienced personal injury attorneys spend time building your case by gathering evidence and supporting a higher demand for compensation by obtaining medical records and other documentation.
Your attorney will also spend time negotiating with insurance companies and will ultimately file suit and pursue the case to a jury trial if needed.
Does It Pay to Negotiate?
Almost always, yes. The average claimant who accepts the first offer from insurance resolves their claim in about seven months.
In contrast, claimants who held out for a better deal took about eleven months to reach a resolution but also ended up settling for an average of $31,000 more than those who accepted the first offer.
How Does Filing a Lawsuit Affect the Value of My Personal Injury Claim?
Generally, threatening to file a lawsuit, or taking the case all the way to a jury trial resulted in settlements or jury verdicts that were approximately double those received by claimants who took no steps toward litigation.
This is a decision to make with the advice of your experienced personal injury attorney, who can help you review the particular circumstances of your case, and help you decide what a fair settlement or resolution is to your claim, based on all the factors.
Does Having More Serious Injuries Slow Down My Case?
In many circumstances, yes. Individuals who experience serious or catastrophic injuries will likely need to continue medical treatment over a longer period of time, and may need to complete rehabilitation, therapy, or receive chiropractic care.
A personal injury attorney will generally advise you not to resolve your case until your medical condition is stable. Otherwise, you won’t know the full extent of your losses or medical expenses when you accept a settlement.
As a general rule, the worse the injuries, the longer the case takes, but the higher the payout is at the final resolution. Individuals who had more than $20,000 in medical expenses usually waited at least 15 months to resolve their cases.
If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, it almost always pays to be represented by an experienced personal injury attorney. If you have questions about your situation, call Baxley Maniscalco personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation. We look forward to working with you to resolve your claim and get you the compensation you deserve.
Average Value of a Personal Injury Case
The average personal injury settlement typically ranges from $3,000 to $75,000. The likelihood of a payout of some amount is 70%.
About 4% of cases go to trial. Settlements include money for medical bills, lost wages for time off work, mileage to and from medical appointments, pain and suffering, and loss of the ability to enjoy life.
Never Settle Cheaply
Insurance companies often try to lowball injured victims.
Our experienced personal injury lawyers at Baxley Maniscalco will fight to get you the maximum compensation you're entitled to for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Don't wait any longer. Schedule your free consultation today, and let us help you get back on your feet.