Settling a personal injury lawsuit can take an exceedingly long time. This time is largely determined by the nature of your case, your situation and your lawyer’s expectations with respect to the outcome of the case.

The first thing you need to understand is that “settling” a lawsuit generally refers to out of court resolution of your case, either through negotiation with the individual you are suing or through a pretrial mediation. This is a common way of resolving personal injury lawsuits. Out of court settlement offers a number of benefits to both parties as a protracted legal dispute can be financially and emotionally straining. In addition, you need to bear in mind that personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means that they are paid a percentage of the money agreed upon. As such, battling a case in court can drain down the money you are to receive as a claimant.

Settling your personal injury lawsuit will take as long as there is the need to resolve the issues at hand. If the case is complicated, involving many defendants and serious injuries, then resolving such a case can take several months or even years. Minor cases, which are more common, can be settled in a couple of days or weeks once the personal injury attorneys from both parties begin the negotiations. Once an agreement has been reached, the payment is made, the attorneys get their share of the contingency fee and all the other expenses incurred during the course of the case paid as the claimant receives his check.

Here are some key guidelines that determine the length of time you can expect to spend before settling a case after making a personal injury claim.

i. Circumstances of the accident

The circumstance of the accident will determine the length of times as well as the amount of effort necessary to settle a case. Cases that are less complicated take a shorter time to settle. Complicated cases that involve drunken driving, death or even disability claims can require several moths or even years to settle both legally and financially.

ii. Your patience

Most personal injury victims are often desperate to get their cases settled remarkably quickly. As such, some unscrupulous insurance companies exploit these victims by offering a meager settlement while protecting their bottom line. If you have a competent lawyer, be sure to exercise patience while awaiting the best settlement.

iii. Your attorney’s ability

The personal injury law firm that you choose to work with will play a crucial part when it comes to the duration and level of success with which your case will be resolved. When hiring a competent law firm, ensure that you get one which is keen on resolving your case. You need an attorney with experience in personal injury cases with a high success rate.

Generally, a reputable personal injury lawyer who has experience can actually speed up the settlement. Alongside speeding up the process, a smart lawyer can also help you win a significant personal injury claim that can help you adjust your life in the future.