How Long Does it Take to Get a Settlement Check From a Car Accident Claim?
Being injured in a car accident can lead to bills and expenses from many different sources, including the hospital and an auto repair shop. In addition, you may be struggling with lost wages and pain and suffering. Securing a car accident settlement check can relieve your financial stress and help you look toward the future with greater peace of mind. It is important, however, not to rush into a fast settlement – no matter how eager you are to resolve your claim.
The Answer: It Depends
There is no one answer to this question that will apply to every single car accident claim in Massachusetts. The reality is that each claim is unique, and timelines can vary considerably based on the specific facts of each case. Since no two cases are exactly alike, getting an answer for your specific claim will most likely take consulting with a car accident lawyer. A lawyer will analyze all of the facts of your claim to help you estimate an accurate timeline.
Your lawyer can point out issues that may make your car accident settlement check take longer, such as:
- Your case has complications, such as a liability dispute.
- The insurance company has a valid reason to extend its investigation.
- You have serious injuries and have not yet reached your point of maximum medical improvement.
- The insurance company is alleging your comparative (shared) fault for the car accident.
- Your claim is worth a lot of money.
- The insurance company is delaying your claim in bad faith.
A car insurance settlement can take as little as six weeks to result in a check mailed to you, or it could take several months to a year or longer. If your case has to go to trial, this can considerably delay its resolution depending on how long you have to wait for a court date. Most car accident cases in Massachusetts settle at the insurance stage, however. The timeline in your particular case will depend on factors that are unique to your claim.
Insurance Companies Must Act Within a “Prompt and Reasonable†Amount of Time
The wait for your settlement check for a car accident may feel indefinite, but Massachusetts does have laws in place that are meant to speed up the process and make the legal system more efficient. For example, state law dictates that an auto insurance company must pay out a claim within a prompt and reasonable amount of time. Although this is not an exact deadline, it gives insurance companies the responsibility to investigate and decide on claims without overly long investigations or considerations.
Get Help With Your Car Accident Settlement
If you feel like you’ve been waiting too long for your car accident insurance claim to be resolved, you may be the victim of insurance bad faith. Contact the attorneys at Merrimack Valley Injury Lawyers to discuss a potential lawsuit against the insurance company for bad faith, or intentionally mishandling your claim. Our lawyers can help you negotiate with an insurance company for a fair and full settlement value.
You may want to resolve your car accident case as quickly as possible. However, it is crucial not to jump into a fast settlement. The initial settlement offered by an insurance company is often less than the client deserves. Insurance companies do this in the hopes that the client will accept the very first settlement – even if it is too low – instead of drawing out the claims process with negotiations. Once you accept a settlement, however, you cannot reopen your case.
It is critical to work with an attorney to make sure your settlement adequately satisfies your present and future needs. Waiting a little longer for your car accident settlement check can be worth it if you and your family recover the financial compensation that you need to move forward. Discuss your case in more detail with our lawyers today.