If you sustained back or head injuries that have left you sidelined from work, you may be considering filing a personal injury claim against the liable party. As your debt increases, you may feel pressure to settle your claim as quickly as possible; however, the first settlement offer from the insurance company or defendant may be much less than what you deserve. If you accept it without considering your future damages, you might end up in overwhelming debt.
The ideal situation would be to reach a fair settlement within a reasonable timeframe, but certain factors that are out of your control can affect the total duration of your case.
A back injury attorney from The Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC will calculate your damages and handle settlement negotiations to help you recover the maximum payout. Call 505-207-4401 to schedule a free case evaluation with a head injury lawyer in Albuquerque.
How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Personal Injury Claim?
Each personal injury case is unique, and there is no standard time limit for each phase of the proceedings. In fact, the only established deadline that applies to all cases has to do with filing the actual claim.
In the state of New Mexico, claimants typically have three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim. Once you begin the proceedings, though, you cannot expect the case to follow any kind of specific timeline.
In general, it typically takes between three and 18 months to resolve a personal injury claim. Fortunately, most cases are resolved before reaching trial, which can speed up the proceedings; however, if you and the opposing party cannot reach a settlement agreement and your case does head to trial, you can expect it to take much longer to resolve.
What Kinds of Factors Will Extend the Duration of My Case?
Going to trial is just one of many factors that could affect how long it takes to resolve your injury claim. Your case may also take longer to resolve if:
- It involves any legal or factual issues. For example, if the other motorist was inebriated at the time of the collision and is facing DUI charges as a result, you will have to work around the criminal law proceedings in addition to your own tort proceedings;
- The damages you sustained are significant and you are seeking a large settlement; or
- You have not yet reached the point where the long-term extent of your injuries is apparent.
If you sustained debilitating injuries that are going to affect the rest of your life and you want to file a personal injury claim, contact The Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC. With a combined 32 years in legal practice, our attorneys have the experience and professionalism to help you through this difficult time.
Call 505-207-4401 to schedule a free consultation with a back injury attorney in Albuquerque. If you want to learn more about filing personal injury claims in New Mexico, visit usattorneys.com/personal-injury/new-mexico.