How long do personal injury settlement negotiations take?

Asked by: Reggie Herzog  |  Last update: July 11, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (52 votes)

How long a personal injury settlement takes depends on several factors, including the strength of the evidence, and the available insurance policies. In general, it can take a few weeks or months of back-and-forth between parties to reach a settlement.

How long do personal injury negotiations take?

The litigation process for a personal injury lawsuit in California can last anywhere from several months to several years, depending on various factors: Complexity of the case. Length of the discovery phase. The extent of the injuries and subsequent medical improvement.

How long does it take to negotiate a settlement?

Settlement negotiation usually takes a few weeks or months after the first offer. Again, the exact timeline will depend on each case.

How long do most personal injury cases take to settle?

  • Auto accident cases with clear fault and non-complicated injuries often settle within 6 to 9 months after treatment is complete.
  • Cases involving commercial defendants, premises liability claims, and/or more complicated injuries take longer—9 to 12 months after medical treatment is complete.

How long does it take for insurance companies to negotiate a settlement?

How long does it take for insurance companies to negotiate a settlement? The timeline for negotiating a settlement varies. It depends on the complexity of the claim and the willingness of both parties to reach an agreement. Patience is Key: On average, settlements can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

How Long Does A Settlement Negotiation Take? | Video Blog | William Mattar

31 related questions found

What is the average payout for a personal injury claim in the USA?

Short Answer: According to data from 5,861 personal injury cases from 2021-2024, the average personal injury settlement in California is approximately $55,056. Most settlements and court awards will be approximately $3,000 to $75,000. The likelihood of receiving a payout in this range is approximately 70%.

How long does it take to get a settlement check after you settle?

How Long to Receive the Check? If you're dealing with an insurance company, as with most personal injury plaintiffs, the process of cutting the check is typically pretty quick. Once the settlement is finalized and signed, insurance companies usually send a check within a month.

What percentage of personal injury cases settle out of court?

According to the U.S. Department of Justice's recent study on tort cases in large counties across the country, approximately 75% of tort cases settled during the pre-trial phase, only 3% went to trial, and the rest concluded in dismissal. Overall, an annual average of 3% to 5% of personal injury cases go to court.

At what point do most cases settle?

Roy Comer: Statistically we know that 98 per cent of civil cases settle before trial. There are multiple reasons why this happens. In my opinion, the primary reason for pre-trial settlement is the plaintiff does not want to go through the gantlet of having a judge and jury scrutinize them. There is some wisdom in this.

What is the longest a settlement can take?

What is the longest a settlement can take? The duration of a personal injury settlement can vary dramatically, with complex cases potentially taking several years to resolve, though there's technically no absolute maximum time limit beyond the statute of limitations.

What is an acceptable settlement offer?

A variety of factors can affect what a reasonable settlement offer might be, including the following: Whether the injured plaintiff is partially liable. The extent and severity of the victim's injuries. The past and future likely costs of treatment. Whether the plaintiff is likely to fully recover or has fully ...

What is the shortest time for settlement?

The settlement period starts from the day that the contract has been signed and any conditions attached to the sale have been met. The settlement period is typically 30 to 90 days, but it can be longer or shorter if the seller and the buyer both agree.

How long does it take to accept a settlement offer?

How long do you have to decide whether you want to accept the Settlement Agreement? According to Acas guidance, employers should give employees a minimum of 10 calendar days to decide whether they want to accept a Settlement Agreement. Your employer should not demand that the Agreement be signed straight away.

How often do personal injury cases settle at mediation?

Early estimation shows that only 4% of personal injuries get to be tried. Most cases like this are usually better settled outside of the court to get a better outcome. Mediation is preferable by 96% of personal injury cases, and that's a lot of figures there.

Why do negotiations take so long?

Complicated matters often have a lengthy negotiation process as they require significant research, hours of preparation, and multiple rounds of discussions before an agreement is reached. The availability of resources, such as time and expertise, can also impact the duration of negotiations.

How do you negotiate a higher personal injury settlement?

Essential Steps in the Personal Injury Negotiation Process
  1. Build a Strong Case Early On. Immediately after the accident, gather all relevant evidence to support your claim. ...
  2. A Comprehensive Demand Letter. ...
  3. Analyze the Initial Settlement Offer Carefully. ...
  4. Negotiate Strategically. ...
  5. Leverage Expert Testimony When Needed.

Is it better to settle or go to trial?

Quicker resolution: Settling a case allows for a faster resolution compared to going through the trial process, which can take months or even years. Emotional closure: Settling a case can provide emotional closure for the injured party, as they can move on from the incident and focus on their recovery.

Why do lawyers want you to settle?

The main reason that most cases settle out of court is because the outcome is either guaranteed or predictable. However, unlike a trial, settling out of court means that the settlement is not up to a jury or judge to decide. Both parties can come to a mutual agreement without other parties being involved.

Why do most personal injury cases settle?

The vast majority of personal injury lawsuits settle before trial. There are a few key reasons for this: Both sides want to avoid the risks and costs of a trial if possible. Trials are time-consuming, costly, and unpredictable.

How much is your personal injury case worth?

To determine a good personal injury payout amount, review all the details of your case. Total your losses from the accident by adding the cost of your hospital bills and treatment. Speak with a medical expert to estimate the cost of future care you may also need.

Do lawyers drag out cases to make more money?

Their goal is to drag the case on and pay out as little as possible. This earns more money for the attorney, who gets paid by the hour, and also can help frustrate the plaintiff into making a better settlement for them out of desperation.

How hard is it to win a personal injury lawsuit?

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, personal injury lawsuit outcome statistics include a majority (90 to 95 percent) settled before trial. Out of the small percentage that end up seeing a courtroom, the data suggests that the success rate of personal injury cases is around half.

How long does it take for money to go into your account after settlement?

Although most injury settlement checks arrive approximately six weeks from the settlement date, several other factors can delay payment. In most cases, your injury attorney will be able to walk you through the process and keep you apprised of the state of your settlement.

How is settlement money divided?

After the presiding judge reviews the settlement offer in a class-action lawsuit and determines that it is fair and adequate compensation, the settlement amount is divided. Depending on their participation in the class action lawsuit, the lead plaintiff receives their percentage first.

What happens after you accept a settlement offer?

Once both parties sign a settlement agreement and it is legally binding, the paperwork will go to whoever is responsible for compensating the victim's damages—usually the at-fault party's insurance company. They have time to review the agreement and approve the payout—or disbursement of funds.