Nick Xenophon & Co.

653 Lower North East Road,
Paradise SA 5075

Phone: (08) 8336 8888

Email: admin@xenlaw.com.au

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How long will my case take?

When taking the steps to seek out a personal injury case, one of the first questions everyone asks themselves is how long will my case take, or how long the process will take?

A personal injury case can last anywhere between a few months to a few years, and can even proceed possibly even longer.  A few months is the bare minimum, and it is very rare for a personal injury case to take up that short of a time frame.  Every case is different, and sometimes a longer time frame means greater efficiency.

A personal injury case can last its shortest time span if the liability is clear, the injuries are significant and your insurance can and will cover the damages.

If your injury prevents you from working

If your injury has prevented you from working, do not settle for less than you are entitled to for the simple sake of ending the case as soon as possible.  In this way, you get less than you deserve and the insurance company will have to pay less.

How long will my case take – a faster end to the case

Sometimes, a lesser settlement means a faster end to your case, though it is not always the best route.  On some occasions, an individual will get very injured, but is not willing to put in the time to maximise their entitlement, and settles for an amount less than what they deserve.  After the short time frame has passed, the individual finds that another medical issue has arisen that is related to the initial injury, or even a permanent disability has affected the individual.  But at this point, the individual cannot receive more of a settlement than they already settled for.  It is therefore important to ensure that you are fully aware of your injuries before you settle your claim.

Further, sometimes an insurance company will attempt to dispute who was truly at fault over the situation that caused the injury.  They will question whether the injury was caused by an accident, or if the injury was truly an injury at all and perhaps was a pre-existing condition.  Such cases will take longer to resolve.

Knowing the facts

Before settling, be sure you know the following factors:

  • Length of medical treatment you require
  • If you have received maximum benefit of post-accident treatment
  • Your long term diagnosis

Do not sacrifice money now that could have been yours if you had waited longer before settling.

The key to a personal injury case is patience.  A settlement is permanent, and as such, it cannot be resettled after the initial case is settled.  In these instances, patience pays off.  The length of the wait is entirely up to you as the client and your own personal needs.

Preparing the claim

When beginning a personal injury claim, be sure to share every detail with your lawyer, including how long a duration you are willing to wait for the settlement.  Ask yourself not only if you are willing to wait a few years before the settlement is reached, but also if you can financially handle the event.  More often than not, settlements are worth the wait, but your situation is your own private business and you have the right to handle and make decisions accordingly.  To make a long story short, the answer to the question “How long will my case take or how long does it take to settle a personal injury case?” lies within you as the client and your own needs.
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If you would like more information about how long your case will take please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us either by submitting an online enquiry or by calling us direct on 08 8336 8888.