If you are seeking compensation for a pedestrian accident that was someone else’s fault, you can expect it to take a considerable amount of time from the beginning until the end of your case. Even if the insurance company makes you a relatively quick settlement offer, it is often far from the end of your case because you would need to negotiate compensation. The most important thing is that you are as patient as possible, and you do not rush the legal process, because it could mean that you end up with less than you deserve.
The Exact Timing of Your Pedestrian Accident Case Depends on the Facts and Circumstances
No pedestrian accident lawyer can give you an exact timeframe of how your case would unfold. They could explain the general steps that would need to happen, but many factors are outside of your control. Like it or not, the insurance company has a wide degree of control over the timing of your case if you are seeking an informal settlement with them through a claim. They can impose delays by taking time to respond to your initial claim and dragging out negotiations through low settlement offers. You never know how the insurance company will react and respond to your claim until you file it.
Pedestrian Accident Claims Could Take Longer to Settle
Pedestrian accidents introduce their own factors that could complicate a potential settlement and lead to a longer time frame. These challenges may include:
Pedestrian accidents tend to be worth more money, and a higher case value could make it take longer.
The insurance company may be trying to blame the accident victim, meaning you would need to take the time to fight, whether it is during the negotiations or in court.
It could take your pedestrian accident lawyer some time to investigate and prepare your case before you file a claim.
The higher case value means that there is a larger chance that you may need to litigate, which could add much more time.
What Can You Do to Affect the Timing of Your Pedestrian Accident Settlement?
The best thing that you could do is to hire an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible after you have been hurt. Although your lawyer should not, by any means, rush your case, they would need to conduct an extensive investigation and perform legwork before they are able to file your claim. If your pedestrian accident lawyer needs any information from you or requires your participation during the process, you should be as responsive to them as possible.
As much as you want your pedestrian accident settlement to be resolved, it is not something that can be rushed. The insurance company may want to resolve your case quickly by pressuring you to accept a lower amount of money, but that is not in your best interest. What is in your interest is to hold on to get the full amount of money that you deserve. You will need this money in the future.
A Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Could Pressure the Insurance Company
The insurance company may take its time because it wants to wear you down in settlement negotiations to get you to take less money. Your pedestrian accident lawyer knows exactly how to deal with these tactics. Although you may not want to litigate your case, the prospect of a lawsuit is what often forces the insurance company to finally get serious about settling your case. Without a pedestrian accident lawyer, there is little chance that the insurance company will feel compelled to listen and pay you within a reasonable amount of time.
Contact the New Brunswick Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Rebenack Aronow & Mascolo L.L.P. if You Have Been Injured as a Pedestrian
