blog home Personal Injury How long will it take to get compensation for my injury?

How long will it take to get compensation for my injury?

By John Singleton on September 15, 2022

“How long will it take to settle my claim?” Unfortunately, the other party’s insurance company often tries to prolong the process, while other factors make it impossible to predict precisely how long it will take.

It’s understandable that when you’re hurt by another person’s careless behavior, you want to know when you can collect the money you need to heal from your injuries and get on with your life. But it would be unethical for an attorney to give an exact timeline when so many factors affect the answer.

The following factors play a significant role in the length of a Virginia personal injury case:

  • The degree of fault between the drivers
  • The other side’s willingness to negotiate
  • The type and extent of your injuries and treatment
  • Facts relating to the accident
  • The number of plaintiffs seeking compensation
  • The amount of compensation you are seeking

Why you need a personal injury attorney

When it comes to determining accident liability or fault, Virginia is a contributory negligence system. If you are 1% at fault for your injuries, the court may declare that you are not entitled to receive any compensation.

Remember: Insurance companies make their profits by paying out as little as they can in claims. They may even try to trick victims into making statements that could harm your claim. That’s why it’s so important to let your personal injury lawyer do your negotiating for you.

To strengthen your claim, your lawyer will conduct a complete investigation of the accident that may include:

  • Witness interviews
  • Police reports
  • Documentation for all your medical care and lost wages
  • Testimony from medical experts
  • An estimate of your long-term cost of care

When possible, your attorney will want to wait until you are healed before submitting your claim to the insurance company, so we can present a complete record of your medical bills. But there’s a two-year statute of limitations from the time of your accidents; and if your claim is not submitted in this timeframe, you won’t be able to seek any compensation.

Also, if the case has additional plaintiffs, this may increase the time it takes for your lawyer to secure a settlement.

We know all their tricks

After your attorney submits your claim to the insurance company, it generally takes about 6 to 8 weeks for the adjuster to respond. Then the negotiations begin. Most personal injury cases end in settlement after a period of negotiation between your lawyer and the other person’s insurance company.

However, our team at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys knows that the other side will take us seriously only if we are prepared to bring your case to trial. We’re always prepared to take your case to court if that’s what we have to do to get you a fair settlement that covers the full costs of your injuries and other expenses from the accident.

The lawyers who work for big insurance companies will drag their feet whenever they can, hoping to discourage the other side into accepting an inadequate settlement. They may deny that their client’s negligence caused the accident or challenge the extent of your injuries. But we will keep fighting wisely for you, no matter what.

Were you harmed by another person’s careless behavior?

You shouldn’t have to pay for your own medical expenses and other related costs if your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligent behavior. At GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, we do everything we can to make sure our friends and neighbors receive the money you deserve to get better after an accident.

We work on a contingency basis. That means we get paid when you get paid. Call (804) 413-6777 to learn more today. We’ll be happy to tell you more about our Zero Fee Guarantee and exactly how we can help you.

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Community service

Prevention, empathy, and diligence are hallmarks of everything we do at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys. Our community can see these ideals lived out in our work to prevent personal injuries from happening.

  • Safety Education
    GibsonSingleton launches a “Texts=Wrecks” campaign to reduce the number of people injured or killed by distracted drivers.
  • Annual Coat Drive
    During the fall, our team works to distribute coats to people in need in our community.
  • Hands-on Service
    John and Ken join the Gloucester Point Rotary Club in cleaning up the community.
  • Supporting Local Schools
    The Gibson family participates in Gloucester’s Botetourt Elementary Shuffle fundraiser.