“I was injured in an accident, and it clearly wasn’t my fault. Shouldn’t this lawsuit be quick and easy?”
“How much is my claim worth?”
“How long will it take to settle my case?”
These are some of the first questions injured people usually have when discussing their personal injury case with a lawyer. The lawyer would love to be able to promise an exceptional result and a quick turnaround every time (trust me). However, the honest answer will typically be that it’s too early for any lawyer to answer those questions accurately or even provide a decent estimate. Here’s what that means:
It’s Early in the Recovery Process
The damages a person is entitled to in a lawsuit depend on a number of factors, including the degree to which they recover from their injuries as well as the long-term impact those injuries have. In some cases, the injuries heal relatively quickly, and the person returns to 100% of their pre-accident function soon after an accident. In other cases, the injuries never resolve and they hold that person back for the rest of their life. No two injuries are the same and no two people will heal in the exact same way. In the days and weeks following an accident, it’s impossible to know how a person will respond to treatment, what kind of rehabilitation they will need and for how long, whether they will be able to return to work, or what the psychological fallout of the experience will be. Settling a case relies on getting answers to these questions.
It’s Early in the Legal Process
Lawsuits that appear simple on the surface can end up becoming complicated when there are multiple parties involved, differing accounts of what happened, or a large volume of evidence to consider. Gathering and reviewing evidence takes time. New medical evidence is constantly being created as a person continues to receive treatment. There are several steps involved in personal injury litigation and each of them takes a different amount of time. Certain steps can’t be completed until everyone at least has some idea of what the future holds for the person who was injured.
While it is often not possible to resolve a personal injury claim during this early stage, it is important that lawyers and clients work together to build the foundation for a strong case as soon after the injury as possible. This upfront work can increase the client’s likelihood of success and also eliminate delays down the road. Our personal injury lawyers can walk you through this process and explain how to navigate your specific case. Contact us to get started.
