How Long Does a Car Accident Take to Settle in Pennsylvania

The timing of a car accident settlement can vary greatly in Pennsylvania, taking anywhere from a few months up to several years for more complex cases. The timeline largely depends on the circumstances of the accident, the nature and extent of the accident-related injuries and medical treatment, and the coverage limits of the insurance policies involved. Our Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Solnick Lawyers work hard to get you the settlement you deserve as quickly as possible after your car accident.

How Do Car Accident Settlements Work? 

In Pennsylvania, car accident settlements follow a unique set of rules due to the state’s no-fault system for car insurance. Under this system, every driver is required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. When an accident occurs, each driver’s PIP coverage is responsible for their own medical bills up to the limit of the policy, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. However, if accident-related medical bills exceed the amount of PIP benefits available, the unpaid medical bills can be included in a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company.  

If you are an injured person filing a car accident claim with an insurance company, your personal injury lawyer will obtain evidence to support your claim, including police reports, photographs, medical documentation, and witness statements if necessary. This evidence will be provided to the insurance company in the form of a settlement demand package put together by your personal injury lawyer after your medical treatment has been completed, or your condition has stabilized. Thereafter, the insurance company may make a settlement offer which you and your attorney will discuss. If the offer is inadequate, the next step would be to file a formal lawsuit with the appropriate court. During the legal process, the insurance company will often continue negotiations to reach a settlement agreement, though some cases do end up proceeding to trial if they cannot be settled. That being said, most car accident cases are settled before the parties go to trial.

How Long Does an Insurance Company Have to Settle a Claim in Pennsylvania?

At Solnick Lawyers we typically demand that an insurance company make a reasonable settlement offer within thirty days of receiving our settlement demand package, though this time limit can be extended in some cases if the insurance company needs additional time to complete a full and fair investigation. This could happen if the claim is complex, the accident circumstances are unclear, if there are discrepancies in the injury reports or accident details, or if there are additional records or documents needed to complete the investigation. 

Unfortunately, it is common for insurers to make low settlement offers to protect their bottom line. When a claim can be settled without filing of a lawsuit with the court, a lawsuit will be filed to begin the formal legal process leading to a trial if the claim cannot be settled through ongoing negotiations.  

Factors Affecting the Settlement Process 

Several factors can affect the length and outcome of the settlement process following a car accident in Pennsylvania:

• Complexity/Disputes Regarding Liability: If it is unclear or disputed who was at fault for the accident, it can significantly impact the settlement process. It will affect the amount of evidence that needs to be produced, and how hard the other party fights the claim. The more obvious it is who was at fault, the smoother the process tends to be. 
• Severity of Injuries: More serious injuries usually require more extensive medical records and documentation, which can prolong the settlement process. In cases involving severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, it is also often advisable to wait until the victim has fully recovered or their condition has stabilized such that no major medical improvement is expected in the future. Settling before this point could result in a lower settlement, as it might not fully account for future medical expenses and long-term effects of the injuries.  Likewise, severe injuries require greater compensation, and insurance companies will often scrutinize and investigate claims more closely when there is more money at stake. 
• Cooperation: The willingness of both parties to negotiate a fair result can greatly influence the timeline and outcome of the settlement. If both parties are cooperative and willing to compromise, the process can be expedited. Along these lines, some insurance companies tend to be more cooperative than others.
• Court Schedule: If the victim decides to file a lawsuit, it may take some time before the case gets to court due to a backlog of cases and the time the court provides the parties to complete the discovery process before a case proceeds to trial. Realistically, the closer a case gets to trial, the more pressure there is on an insurance company to negotiate a fair and appropriate settlement.

How long settlement takes after a Pennsylvania car accident can be influenced by a multitude of factors, some of which are beyond the victim’s control. As such, patience, diligence, preparation, and the guidance of a skilled car accident attorney are key to navigating this often complex and lengthy process.

Don’t Delay – Speak With a Pennsylvania Car Accident Attorney Today

If you have been injured in a car accident, don’t delay in seeking legal advice. An experienced Pennsylvania car accident attorney, like Solnick Lawyers, can guide you through the complex settlement process and help ensure you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve. Contact us today. Solnick Lawyers is on your side.