How Long Do Personal Injury Cases Take? How Do I Manage Bills In The Meantime?

When deciding to pursue a personal injury claim, two of the most common questions are, “How long will my case take?” and “How will I handle my bills while waiting for a settlement?” We understand why you feel the need to know this. The season after an accident can be extremely stressful and full of unknowns. We are here to help! Let’s look at some factors that can affect the length of your case and how you can manage your costs while you are waiting for a settlement.

How Long Will My Personal Injury Case Take?

Waiting for your settlement can feel daunting when medical bills are piling up. You’re wondering how long this will be your new reality! We understand. Unfortunately, because each personal injury case is unique, there is no simple solution to this question. The length of your case will largely depend on various factors. One is the complexity of your case—for example, a slip and fall vs. medical malpractice case. A few other factors include the severity of your injuries, the number of parties involved, the amount of damages, and the opposing party’s willingness to settle.

From the time your complaint is filed until the date it is settled, a case could take anywhere from a few weeks up to a year, and in more complex cases, a personal injury lawsuit can take two to three years to settle. That is why it’s crucial to find and hire an experienced attorney to represent your case.

How Do I Manage My Bills While Waiting For My Settlement?

Unfortunately, everyday bills don’t just stop when you’ve been injured in an accident (Wouldn’t that be nice?) However, there are some things you can do to help release some of the financial burdens while you wait for your settlement:

1. Prioritize your essential bills and living expenses such as mortgage or rent, utilities, groceries, and prescriptions.
2. Temporarily eliminate non-essential bills like streaming services, gym subscriptions, and specialty subscriptions. (We know this is hard, but you can do it!)
3. Call your credit card and insurance companies—you may be able to delay or eliminate payments while you wait for your case to be resolved.

With all of that being said, if you and your family are having a hard time paying for your essential expenses, talk to your attorney—they may be able to work with you and help you come up with a plan to alleviate some of the financial pressure.

Conclusion

If you were injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, contacting a capable attorney is the best way to ensure your case gets settled quickly. Here at the Hammack Law Firm, we are confident in our ability to help you get back on your feet through litigation and individualized attention to your claim. Call us today at 864-740-8802. We are here to serve you!