You may be impatient to wait for your money, but remember that personal injury claims or cases that settle quickly tend to do so for much less money. There are several reasons why your claim or case may take longer to settle, and you’ll find out why. You’ll also find out why it may be wiser to ‘just wait it out!’
Why your personal injury case is taking so long to settle?
• A personal injury case can stall for three main reasons:
• There are problematic or legal issues involved
• You’re going to get a huge settlement
• You’re not at a state of maximum medical improvement yet.
It’s time to examine each issue closer.
The problems that your personal injury claim or case may face tend to be liability and damages. Remember that it’s not always easy to prove liability. In that case, the only way you may get a quick settlement is if your personal injury lawyer in Etobicoke tells the insurance adjuster in writing that he or she is willing to go to court.
If there are issues with damages, then your settlement may take longer. That can happen, especially if the doctor who treats you is not sure if the defendant’s damages caused your injuries. Also, don’t expect the insurance adjuster to give you a settlement until and unless he or she has done due diligence on your case or claim. Due diligence includes:
• Investigating until the adjuster is convinced that the defendant doesn’t have a good defense regarding the claim
• The treating doctor is not sure that the defendant was responsible for your personal injuries
Get a Huge Settlement
Don’t expect a single penny from the insurance company until and unless the adjuster has done appropriate due diligence if you’re going to get a big settlement. That means the adjuster won’t stop investigating your case until he or she is convinced that:
• There are no good defenses to your claim or case
• Your injuries are as severe as you say they are
• Your credibility is iron solid.
The insurance adjuster may delay your settlement to see if you’re willing to accept a lower settlement out of desperation or impatience.
You are Yet to Reach Maximum Medical Improvement
You may not get your settlement if you’re still being treated for your injuries. Ideally, you should wait until you have reached a state of maximum medical improvement before receiving your settlement.You are in a state of maximum medical improvement when it’s highly unlikely that you will recover further.
Settling for Short Money
You may be in a bind because you know you’ll get a big settlement if you wait, but you may need the money now. You should contact a personal injury lawyer for more advice in that instance.
