The aftermath of a car accident can affect every aspect of your life. Between recovering from injuries and dealing with the mental impact, there’s also the stress of dealing with insurance. It’s well-known that insurance settlements for car accidents aren’t always fair; plus, what if your case goes to court? Most car accident victims want the whole ordeal to be over as soon as possible, but the length of time it takes to settle a Chicago car accident case can vary.
What Impacts How Long a Car Accident Settlement Can Take in Chicago?
Unfortunately, there’s no straightforward answer to how long Chicago car accident settlements can take because every case is different. Your case could take a few weeks or several years depending on the circumstances of the accident and several other factors.
Injuries
Chicago car accidents involving injuries will take longer to settle, especially those with severe injuries. That’s because injuries can be ongoing, making it necessary to calculate the long-term cost of recovery and treatment. Injuries that require more treatment
Evidence
Evidence – or the lack of evidence – plays a critical role in determining car accident settlements and how long they may take. It’s important to gather and maintain evidence such as police reports, witness statements, photos or videos, and medical or car repair bills.
Fault
When pursuing a settlement to cover damages, Illinois uses modified comparative negligence to determine who is responsible. That means that, if you were found to be under 50% at-fault for the collision, you are entitled to receive compensation. Evidence is important because it can impact who is found to be at fault, which can also determine the amount of compensation you can pursue.
Insurance
Your level of insurance coverage could make the settlement process quick and easy or long and drawn out. For example, if you have the minimum coverage required by Illinois law, you may need to deal with one or more other at-fault drivers’ insurance companies, who may not be willing to cooperate with you.
Court
If insurance negotiations fail, you may decide to take legal action against the at-fault driver. Taking your car accident case to court will often make the settlement process longer, but having a skilled Chicago car accident attorney on your side will make things go much smoother and faster. Before taking your case to court, remember that Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations on filing car accident claims, so don’t delay the process.
How to Get Reach a Settlement Faster After a Car Accident
In addition to gathering evidence and documenting the amount of damages you incur, the top tip for speeding up the car accident settlement process is to hire an attorney. A Chicago car accident lawyer is familiar with state and local laws that can impact your case, ensuring the best possible outcome. On top of that, your lawyer can negotiate with insurance, gather and present evidence, and represent you as you heal from your injuries.At Saperstein Law Group, we help clients across the Chicago area reach car accident settlements faster. Contact us today to discuss your case with a member of our law team and learn more about how we can help.