What Factors Can Delay My Personal Injury Claim?

When you are injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, it can significantly disrupt your life. Unfortunately, pursuing a personal injury claim can be a lengthy and complex process which is why working with our Irvine personal injury lawyers is in your best interest. Many factors can influence the timeline for recovering compensation, as we explore in the following blog, and understanding these potential delays is essential for managing your expectations.

What Can Delay a Personal Injury Claim?

Unfortunately, many are under the assumption that following an injury, they will submit a claim and receive a check in the mail shortly thereafter. However, this is far from reality. This process, depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, can take a considerable amount of time to resolve and may take even longer if there are delays.

One reason that your personal injury claim may be delayed is because of the severity of the injuries you have sustained. If your injuries are severe or even catastrophic, which typically take longer to heal than soft tissue injuries, your medical bills will continue to increase over time as you receive additional treatment. Additionally, doctors may be unsure when you will reach maximum medical improvement, which can impact estimates of future medical expenses.

Another common cause of delays is due to negotiating a settlement. When you first submit your claim, the insurance company for the negligent party will likely respond with a significantly lower number. This low initial offer is generally made because they know many people are desperate for any form of financial relief, so you may be more likely to accept a significantly lower offer.

If you lack legal representation, insurers may assume you are unaware of your claim’s true value and attempt to take advantage. This situation can lead to prolonged negotiations, as the insurance company might intentionally delay responses, hoping you will settle early to avoid further delays.

Is There Anything I Can Do To Help My Case?

While circumstances out of your control can prolong your claim, there are a few things you can still do to help. One of the most important steps you can take to help move your claim along is to stay organized. You will likely receive a number of documents in the days and weeks following your accident; ensuring these are readily available for your attorney or the court is critical.

Similarly, you should gather as much evidence to support your claim as possible. Your efforts will help prevent delays as you will not have to wait for the insurance company to reach back out for additional information.

Additionally, you should follow the orders of your medical provider. Unfortunately, if you are caught ignoring their instructions, it can hurt your case. The insurance provider will claim that your injuries must not be serious if you do not need to adhere to medical advice. As such, this can further delay your claim.

When you are injured due to the negligent actions of another party, it is imperative to understand that you should not have to bear the financial burden they have caused. Working with an attorney from California Personal Injury Law Firm, APC, can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for more information.