If you’ve been the victim of a car accident, then you deserve justice, including financial compensation. You also deserve it in a timely manner. Unfortunately, settlements sometimes take longer than injured people would like.
When it comes down to it, there are many factors that affect how long it takes to receive a settlement check after a car accident in Ohio. These might include the accident type, the insurance company’s cooperation, delays in check processing, and more.
Fom our team of Ohio car accident lawyers at Cooper Elliott, here’s what you need to know about how long it takes to get your settlement after a car accident.
How do I make a personal injury insurance claim after a car accident?
After you’ve been in an accident, it’s important to contact your insurance company so that it can notify the at-fault driver’s insurance company to file the claim.
What information do I need to file a personal injury insurance claim?
When you file your personal injury claim after an Ohio car accident, you will need:
- The other individual’s insurance information;
- Location details of the accident;
- List of damages to your car; and
- Information about your injuries.
As you can see, you will need to provide information about your injuries in order to receive compensation for them. Therefore, it is often in your best interest to obtain thorough medical attention before you file your claim.
Getting all of the care you need will both help you understand the full extent of your injuries and recovery prognosis and also allow you to accurately convey the severity of your injuries in a claim.
What happens after I make a personal injury claim?
During this time, it’s important to find an experienced Ohio car accident attorney who can advise you what information you should or should not provide to insurance.
Some information you can gather with your car accident attorney includes:
- Police report
- Medical records
- Photo and video evidence
- Witness testimony
Once the at-fault driver’s insurance company has investigated the accident, you will likely receive a settlement offer. Typically these offers are low because they hope that you will take the first offer you are given (although they also often expect you to negotiate).
Your attorney can also help you determine if settlement offers reflect appropriate compensation for your claims and navigate the negotiation process.
If you are able to settle out of court, then you will receive your settlement check.
This process typically takes a few weeks, but can take up to a few months depending on delays from the at-fault party’s insurance company. It all depends on different factors unique to the company.
What if I have to go to file a lawsuit for a car accident?
If you are able to negotiate a settlement, then you may not need to file a lawsuit.
Sometimes people choose to settle out of court due to reasons concerning:
- Privacy: Parts of a lawsuit will become public record, which some people do not feel comfortable with.
- Speed: Litigation can lengthen the time it takes to receive compensation for a car accident.
- Risk: In the relatively unlikely scenario that your personal injury case goes to a jury trial, here is no guarantee that you will ultimately win your case or receive the same or greater compensation than you would settling outside of litigation.
That being said, sometimes litigation is the best way to ensure you receive adequate compensation for your injuries. And our attorneys at Cooper Elliott have decades of experience as trial lawyers, and we will work with you to ensure your vision of justice is met and your needs are taken care of, whether that be through settlement negotiation, litigation, or both.
Contact Cooper Elliott Ohio Car Accident Attorneys Today
At Cooper Elliott, we know how much people can suffer after a car accident. We also know what it takes to get you the justice you deserve after that accident. Get started with Cooper Elliott today. Contact us to schedule your initial evaluation.
