If you were injured in a bicycle accident caused by a negligent driver, you are probably anxious to settle your claim with the insurance company as soon as possible. While some cases settle quickly, many do not.
You will need to be patient if you want to receive all the compensation you deserve for your injuries. How long could you have to wait before your claim is settled? Unfortunately, there is no precise answer to this question. However, here are four factors that could make the process take longer.
Seriousness of Your Injuries
You should not settle your claim until you reach your maximum medical recovery. This is the stage in your medical treatment where you have fully recovered or have recovered as much as you will and have a final prognosis from your doctor.
It is important not to settle your case before you reach this stage because you will not know the future compensation you should receive for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering until then. Once you reach a settlement, you cannot reopen your claim later if you realize you should receive more money.
Disputes With the Insurance Company
If the insurance company raises disputes over who caused your bicycle accident or the seriousness of your injuries, it could take more time to settle your claim. Your attorney may need to collect additional evidence or hire an expert witness to help resolve the issue with the insurance adjuster.
Insurance Company’s Cooperation
Some insurance companies respond more quickly and are more cooperative during the settlement process than others. If the negligent driver is insured by a company that takes longer to investigate their claims or has a reputation for not offering fair settlements, the process of settling yours could take significantly more time.
Litigation of Your Case
While many bicycle accident claims are resolved without the need to file a lawsuit, not all are. If the statute of limitations, which is the deadline you have to sue, will expire soon or the insurance company refuses to offer you what you are entitled to under California law, you will need to have an experienced bicycle accident lawyer file a lawsuit against the negligent driver. You could still reach a settlement with the insurance company, but you may need to go through the litigation process before they agree to be reasonable.
How Can You Settle Your Claim Quickly?
The best way to speed up the process of settling your case is to retain a skilled attorney as soon as possible after your bicycle accident. To learn how I can help you, call my San Diego office to schedule a free case evaluation today.
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