If you have suffered an injury due to the negligence of another party, you may wonder whether pursuing legal action against the responsible party is worth the headache. This a common question because many victims are unsure of the duration a personal injury case will take in South Carolina. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer as every case is unique, and various factors can influence the timeline. Please continue reading to learn the factors that impact how long a personal injury case will take and how a trusted Chesterfield County Personal Injury Lawyer can help you understand your legal options and secure the fair compensation you are entitled to for your damages.
What Factors Influence the Duration of a Personal Injury Case in South Carolina?
Generally, the average personal injury case in South Carolina will take one to three years to resolve. However, there are a number of factors that can influence how long a personal injury case can take, making it difficult to provide a straightforward answer on how long these matters will take to resolve. The duration of your claim will ultimately depend on the following factors:
- The complexity of your case: One of the primary factors that can influence the duration of a personal injury claim is the complexity of the case. It’s important to understand that the determination of liability in a personal injury case can have a profound impact on the timeline for settling. Cases with straightforward facts, where liability is clear-cut, and the damages are easily determined, will typically settle quicker. This is because there will be fewer disputes. Cases where liability is contested by multiple parties will take much longer to resolve.
- The severity of your injuries: The extent and severity of the injuries sustained play a pivotal role in the settlement process. Cases that involve long-term, or permanently disabling injuries, will take significantly longer to resolve as you must wait until you have reached maximum medical improvement to ensure all medical expenses and potential future care needs, are accounted for.
- The reasonableness of the insurance company: If the insurance company is willing to engage in fair negotiations and promptly address the claim, it can shorten the resolution time. However, they may employ tactics to delay the process or undervalue the process.
- The size of the insurance policy: In most cases, larger insurance policies can result in a more prolonged negotiation period as there is the potential for a bigger payout. Conversely, claims against smaller insurance policies can progress quickly as there is a lower financial risk for the parties involved.
As you can see, several factors can influence how long a personal injury case can take to resolve. As such, it’s in your best interest to contact a determined Chesterfield County personal injury lawyer from the Cockrell Law Firm, P.C. to discuss your legal options. Our firm is prepared to help you fight for the justice you deserve.