When Will I Receive My Car Accident Injury Cash Settlement

When Will I Receive My Car Accident Injury Cash Settlement

May 2, 2023

We go to great lengths to avoid car accidents. But when they happen, having to deal with insurance companies, pay for expensive medical bills, and miss work for extended periods of time can be particularly onerous. California is ranked lower than the national average in car accident deaths, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) considers the Golden State to be one of safer within the nation. However, being prepared in the event of a car crash that affects you or someone close to you can help ensure that the process of recovering financial compensation is as stress-free as possible.

How Long Does it Take to Receive a California Car Accident Cash Settlement?

• What Steps Should You Take After a Car Accident Injury?
• What Evidence Do I Need When Filing a Car Accident Claim?
• When Should You Hire a Car Accident Attorney?
• When Should I Contact the Insurance Company After a Car Accident?
• How Long Does a Car Accident Settlement Take?
• How Much is My Car Accident Cash Settlement Worth?
• How Do I Choose the Best Car Accident Lawyer for My Case?
• Contact the Best California Car Accident Lawyers Today

This guide will answer all of your car accident questions, including what to do after a motor vehicle collision and how long the cash settlement process may take. We’ll also include accurate guidance on what to look for when searching for the best car accident attorney. Everything below can be particularly helpful information for anyone who has experienced the unfortunate effects a car accident, (or simply wants to be better informed).

What Steps Should You Take After a Car Accident Injury?

It may seem obvious, but your health is the most important thing to consider after any type of car accident. A car accident can leave you feeling as if your entire world has been turned upside down, but your health is always the most important consideration. It is important to be vigilant when it comes to your health, with an understanding that car accidents are often traumatic – both physically and emotionally.

You should seek medical attention immediately if your health is in question – whether at the emergency room or an urgent care center. Receiving medical care can cause additional stress for many accident victims due to financial concerns (but, as we will discuss later, your personal injury lawyer plays a key role in ensuring these expenses are covered within your cash settlement). It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions and to seek all applicable medical care. This is not only to protect your health, but to also prove that you have taken the steps necessary to recover when eventually filing your car accident claim with Dordulian Law Group.

What Evidence Do I Need When Filing a Car Accident Claim?

You should consider getting as much evidence as you can immediately after the accident, provided that your health is in order. You can take pictures of the damage done to your property, traffic signals violated, or even your own injuries. If possible, you can also record videos (of all these things, as well as witness statements) as soon as possible. This information can be helpful if the cause of an accident is disputed by the at-fault driver in court.

You will also want to get the contact details of any witnesses who can corroborate the version of events. It is important that all interactions are strictly professional. Never make any official statements that can be taken as an admission of guilt.

When Should You Hire a Car Accident Attorney?

When deciding whether to contact a personal injury attorney to handle your car accident claim, it’s important to take action as soon as possible after the crash. While hiring a car accident lawyer isn’t required, there are certain factors that may make legal representation advantageous, such as:

• A serious injury that requires medical attention
• A death resulted from the accident
• Police reports don’t accurately reflect actual events (especially when you think the other party is at fault)
• Your injuries could affect your ability work (note: these injuries often have delayed symptoms in the case of spinal injuries or pinched nerves)
• The accident clearly resulted from the negligence of another person but that individual does not accept liability
• You have outstanding bills or expect to receive them as a result of the accident

It’s best to consult with an attorney as soon as you’ve received proper medical treatment for your car accident injuries. In California, there is a strict deadline for filing a car accident claim – three years for property damage and two years for personal injuries. In other words, you have two years from the date of your car accident to file a claim for financial compensation.

When Should I Contact the Insurance Company After a Car Accident?

Alerting your insurance company that an accident has occurred is fine, but never make an official statement or admit fault without having a qualified and licensed personal injury attorney present. The at-fault driver will likely also contact their insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. You can expect to hear from an insurance adjuster who will seem to have your best interest in mind. However, it is important to remember that you are not their client and your interests will not be considered. It is best to let a personal injury lawyer negotiate on your behalf. After a car crash, you have enough to deal with in simply making a physical recovery. You shouldn’t be stressed and worrying about disclosing something that might be misconstrued by the insurance company and used against your benefit at a later time.

A lawyer is also your best option when an insurance company shows bad faith. Qualified car accident lawyers will have experience in battling insurance companies on behalf of their clients. Insurance companies can attempt to minimize issuing due financial compensation owed by denying coverage for which they have charged premiums, not paying your claim on time, or denying it without explanation.

How Long Does a Car Accident Settlement Take?

In general, car accident claims can take between several weeks and several months to reach a cash settlement. The amount of time required to settle a car accident case can vary depending on several factors, such as:

• The complexity of the case and amount of liability held by each involved driver
• The severity of the injuries
• The extent of the damages (and what type)
• The insurance companies involved

In most instances, a car accident claim with clear liability may take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to settle. But more complex cases could involving multiple drivers and serious injuries could take several months or even years.

At Dordulian Law Group (DLG), we strive to settle your car accident injury case for the maximum allowable financial compensation in the shortest possible amount of time. We work tirelessly to get you back on your feet and fully recovered – physically, financially, and emotionally.

Some additional factors that can impact the time it takes to settle your car accident claim include:

• Investigation process: The insurance companies involved will need to investigate the accident to determine who was at fault and the extent of the damages. This process can take some time, especially if there are disputes over the facts of the case.
• Documentation and evidence gathering: Securing all relevant medical records, ensuing bills, pay stubs, etc. can help expedite your claim.
• The extent of your medical care: If you suffered serious injuries, it may take some time to complete medical treatment and determine the full extent of the damages. This can impact the timeline for settlement negotiations.
• Negotiations: Once the insurance companies have gathered all the necessary information, they will begin negotiations to determine a settlement amount. This process can take some time, especially if there are disagreements over the value of the claim.
• Litigation: In some car accident cases, the parties involved may need to go to court to resolve the claim. This can significantly extend the time it takes to settle the case. However, when you have an attorney with courtroom experience like Sam Dordulian, DLG’s founder with more than 100 jury trial victories, your case is in the best possible hands.

It’s important to note that every car accident case is unique and has its own set of circumstances. Accordingly, the timeline for settling a car accident claim will depend on the above mentioned factors, but we at DLG will do everything we can to help you recover maximum financial compensation as soon as possible.

If you’re involved in a car accident, it’s recommended that you always to consult with a proven and skilled personal injury lawyer who can help guide you through the claims process and provide an estimate of how long it might take to settle your claim.

How Much is My Car Accident Cash Settlement Worth?

Car accident settlements will vary in value depending on the extent of injuries and overall losses suffered as a result of the crash. Serious car accidents can warrant multi-million dollar payouts, while minor fender benders may entitle a victim to a five-figure damages award.

In 2013, the average amount for a personal injury car accident settlement was approximately $24,000. However, there are so many factors which can affect this number, including:

• Whether the injuries you sustained are entirely new
• How long it took you to receive medical treatment
• Whether your medical treatment was extensive and you followed all recommended procedures

The above referenced figure assumes that the at-fault driver carried the proper automobile insurance. The minimum requirements for comprehensive collision coverage in California are:

• $15,000 for injury or death to one person
• $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person
• $5,000 for property damage

If you are involved in an accident with someone who does not have car insurance, you will want to file a police report and contact a DLG car accident attorney immediately. Uninsured motorist coverage can be extremely helpful in such situations, and we will fight to protect your rights.

How Do I Choose the Best Car Accident Lawyer for My Case?

One of the most important things to consider when hiring a car accident injury attorney is whether or not they value you and your time. A good lawyer will demonstrate a genuine interest in your well-being and your case through empathy and a determination to be your legal advocate. Additionally, experience and proven results are critical when searching for the best California car accident lawyer.

You’ll want to be sure to verify that your personal injury attorney has experience securing car accident insurance claim settlements for clients in a variety of accident types. For example, if you were involved in a rear-end car accident that left you with moderate injuries, ask for an example of a similar case that your prospective attorney handled in the past.

Furthermore, one key question that is applicable to nearly all accident victims is whether or not you will have to pay for medical bills from the settlement amount. This is one of the primary examples of how a qualified DLG car accident attorney can be an invaluable advantage.

In addition to negotiating a settlement figure with the insurance company, your DLG attorney has experience negotiating the cost of any unpaid medical bills. As the cost for medical procedures can vary dramatically from hospital-to-hospital, there is always room for negotiation, regardless of your specific situation. A good car accident attorney will have experience in this complicated process – and DLG’s Car Accident Division team is seasoned in these negotiations.

For a list of the Top 10 Signs You’ve Hired the Best Attorney for your case, please click here.

Contact the Best California Car Accident Lawyers Today

At DLG, we don’t get paid until you get paid for your car accident injury claim. That means that when we accept your case, we not only believe it has merit and you deserve financial compensation, but we will fight tirelessly to secure a maximum damages award.

Schedule an appointment online for a free consultation today, or call us directly to speak to our top-rated, expert car accident attorneys.

Contact us today at 866-GO-SEE-SAM for a free consultation. DLG was founded by Sam Dordulian, an aggressive and proven litigator who began his career as a prosecutor in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Today, Dordulian and his team of car accident attorneys fight for justice in civil court on behalf of injured victims like you.

When you’re injured in a California car accident, don’t settle for less than the DLG Advantage.