How Long Does It Take To Settle A New Jersey Pedestrian Accident Claim?
A pedestrian accident happens when a pedestrian gets struck by a car. Pedestrian accidents happen for a variety of accidents, but often, these accidents happen because of driver negligence. Unfortunately, a pedestrian accident can result in extensive damages and losses. However, the good news is that if you suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident in New Jersey due to another driver’s negligence, you can file an accident claim and recover compensation.
If you are planning to file a pedestrian accident claim in NJ, one of the questions you may be asking yourself is, “How long does it take to settle an NJ pedestrian accident claim?” The time it takes to resolve a New Jersey pedestrian accident claim depends on several factors. Depending on the case’s specifics, an NJ pedestrian accident claim can take months, a year, or even more than a year to resolve. To understand how long your New Jersey pedestrian accident claim might take to resolve, it is best that you talk to a qualified personal injury attorney.
Factors That Affect the Timeline of a Pedestrian Accident Claim
Below are some of the most common factors that affect the timeline of a pedestrian accident claim;
The Extent of the Injuries
The extent of the victim’s injuries can affect the time it takes to resolve the claim in several ways. But generally, the more severe the injuries, the longer it may take to resolve the case. The more serious the injuries, the more treatment the pedestrian needs, thus the greater the value of medical expenses. Usually, the higher the amount you are seeking, the more complicated the negotiation becomes. Also, severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries mean that it will take you longer to get to maximum medical improvement, which is the stage you need to reach before your case can be settled.
The Evidence Available
Strong evidence can help you resolve your NJ pedestrian accident claim quickly. On the other hand, if you have weak evidence, it may take longer for your case to be resolved since the insurance company will be unwilling to make a fair settlement offer.
The following are some types of evidence you can collect and present in your NJ pedestrian accident case;
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Photos and videos that were taken at the accident scene
- Surveillance footage
- Expert witness testimony
Your Attorney’s Skill
Whether your attorney is skilled or not can also affect the timeline of your pedestrian accident claim. An experienced attorney can help prevent your case from taking too long to resolve. A skilled personal injury attorney can, for example, be able to identify the various tactics insurance companies use to delay claims and counter these tactics.
Whether the Case Goes to Trial
Finally, your NJ pedestrian accident claim’s timeline depends on whether or not you reach an out-of-court settlement agreement. It usually takes longer to resolve cases that go to trial. The time it takes to resolve your case can even be further extended if you appeal the court’s decision.
Contact Citizen Soldier Law
Contact a skilled and dedicated New Jersey personal injury lawyer at Citizen Soldier Law today if you have suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident because of another driver’s negligence and need help recovering the compensation you deserve.
