Personal injury cases in Washington DC do not have a set timeline. How long it takes to recover compensation depends on the specifics of the case. However, many cases settle within 6 to 18 months. Simpler cases may take as little as 3 to 8 months, while complex cases involving litigation may take 2 to 3 years or more.
The experienced Washington DC personal injury attorneys at Marks & Harrison always strive to keep our clients as informed as possible throughout every step of their personal injury claims. You can count on our team of attorneys to take every step possible to move your case along while also ensuring we do everything we can to help you seek maximum compensation.
Are you ready to discuss the specifics of your situation? Our experienced personal injury attorneys want to analyze the facts of your case and let you know more about your legal options. Contact us now for a free consultation to get started.
What Are Some Factors That Can Affect the Length of Time for a Personal Injury Case to Settle?
Several issues can influence the timeline of a personal injury settlement. A few examples of key factors include:
- Severity of injuries – Cases involving serious injuries generally take longer to settle. Doctors may require additional time to assess the full extent and impact of the injuries. Severe injuries usually take time to reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). Settling too soon could mean accepting compensation that does not fully account for the medical care you need.
- Disputed liability – If the at-fault party or their insurance company disputes who caused the accident, it may delay the settlement process. That is why it is crucial to work with an attorney who can build a compelling case using strong evidence.
- Complexity of the case – Multi-vehicle crashes, workplace accidents, or cases involving government entities, for example, are often more complicated and involved, which means they may take longer to resolve.
- Lack of insurance cooperation – Some insurance companies continually delay resolution, hoping injury victims will accept a low settlement out of financial pressure.
- Whether the case goes to trial – Most personal injury claims settle before trial. However, if insurers will not offer a fair settlement, litigation may be necessary, and that means a longer process.
- The court’s schedule – Washington DC courts handle significant numbers of civil cases every year. Court backlogs and scheduling conflicts can delay trial dates and prolong the process.
How Can Washington DC’s Contributory Negligence Law Affect How Long It Takes My Case to Settle?
A unique factor in Washington DC personal injury claims is the jurisdiction’s strict contributory negligence law. Under contributory negligence, an accident victim may be barred from recovering compensation if they are even 1 percent at fault for the accident.
Due to the strict contributory negligence rule, insurance companies often argue that the victim was partially responsible for the accident in an attempt to deny a claim. Avoiding such a negative outcome requires careful investigation and substantial evidence, which means personal injury lawyers must take their time to seek maximum compensation.
How Can a DC Personal Injury Lawyer Help with the Settlement of Your Case?
Having our experienced DC personal injury attorneys on your side could make a significant difference in both the timeline and outcome of your case. A lawyer from Marks & Harrison can help by:
- Reviewing your case for free – Our DC personal injury attorneys are ready to sit down with you, hear your story, review your evidence, and ask key questions to determine whether you have a valid claim. The free consultation can give you a better idea of how long a case like yours might take to resolve.
- Investigating the accident – To build a compelling case, our attorneys can thoroughly investigate the accident and gather evidence that establishes liability and shows the true extent and impact of your injuries.
- Negotiating with insurance companies – As skilled negotiators, a DC personal injury lawyer from our firm can not only seek maximum compensation, but also do so in a timely fashion. Our attorneys are prepared to advocate aggressively on your behalf with both of these goals in mind.
- Representing you in court – If settlement negotiations break down, our personal injury attorneys can file a lawsuit and take your claim to court, where we can fight for a favorable verdict.
What Can You Do to Help with Your DC Personal Injury Case?
While our attorneys take on the brunt of the work when pursuing your personal injury claim, doing the following can help you strengthen your case:
- Seek prompt medical attention. Seeking prompt medical care can protect not only your safety, but also your legal rights. See a doctor right away, even if your injuries seem minor at first.
- Keep careful records. Maintain an organized file of all medical bills, financial documents, and proof of lost wages.
- Avoid posting on social media. Discussing your accident on social media could be taken out of context and used against you by insurers in unpredictable ways. Avoid posting altogether if possible.
- Stay in regular contact with your lawyer. Speaking with your lawyer regularly can help ensure that we receive all necessary documents promptly and your case does not experience any unnecessary delays.
- Be patient and realistic. A premature personal injury settlement is often a far lower one than you could potentially recover. Whenever possible, allow the necessary time for your attorney to build your case and seek maximum compensation.
Is It Better to Settle or Go to Trial?
Settling out of court for maximum compensation is always the ideal outcome. However, there can be benefits to taking your personal injury claim to court.
Settling Out of Court
Most cases settle out of court, which can save time, money, and stress. Settlements also provide certainty, as you are not leaving the decision up to the court.
Going to Trial
Taking your claim to court may be necessary if the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer. While trials take longer and involve more risk, they can also result in higher compensation in cases with substantial evidence.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Washington DC?
The Washington DC statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits allows three years from the date of the accident for an injured person to file a lawsuit against the party who injured them. Only very narrow exceptions can extend the deadline.
Missing the deadline will most likely mean giving up your right to seek compensation for your injuries. That is why it is crucial to contact our personal injury lawyers as soon as you are able.
Contact a Washington DC Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have suffered injuries in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you need a proven personal injury attorney to protect your rights. Marks & Harrison has over 100 years of experience fighting for the rights of injured people. During that time, we’ve recovered hundreds of millions in settlements and verdicts.
Let us fight for the accountability you deserve while you focus on recovery. Contact us today for your free consultation.
