Your personal injury lawsuit will take anywhere between several months and several years to resolve. In some situations, it could take even longer than a year for an injury suit to reach a conclusion. The amount of time it takes to reach a verdict depends on the details of your case.
A Georgia personal injury lawyer will review your case and give an estimate of how long it might take to reach a verdict. Let’s take a closer look at how long your personal injury lawsuit will take and how an attorney will help you pursue the damages you deserve.
Factors that Affect How Long Your Personal Injury Lawsuit will Take
There are several factors that can affect how long your personal injury lawsuit will take. The following elements will impact the amount of time it takes for your attorney to obtain the damages you need to treat your injuries and move forward with your life:
- The complexity of your case
- The amount of evidence available
- The severity of your injuries and the extent of your damages
- Whether multiple parties were involved in the incident
- Whether there is a backlog in the courts
These are just a few of the factors that can impact case length. An attorney will advise you on other obstacles and details that could cause your lawsuit to take longer than initially expected. Reach out to an attorney today to learn more about your case and legal options.
Hiring a Lawyer Soon will Help Your Personal Injury Lawsuit
In addition to advising you on how long your personal injury lawsuit will take, an attorney will take a number of steps to improve your chances of receiving damages. Hiring a lawyer as soon as you can after an accident can help with the evidence collection process.
After an accident, evidence can go missing, and at-fault parties may even destroy some evidence. Finding a lawyer to represent you soon after the incident will ensure that all available evidence is collected and preserved.
The sooner you reach out to an attorney and get started on your case, the sooner you’ll receive the damages you need to get back on your feet. While it’s important to prioritize your physical recovery and attend medical appointments after an accident, it’s also critical that you get an early start on your case.
You have a Limited Amount of Time to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
When discussing how long your personal injury lawsuit will take, it’s important to consider Georgia’s statute of limitations for injury suits. Under Georgia Code § 9-3-33, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
If you don’t act within the two-year timeframe, you could lose your right to pursue damages further. Enlisting the services of a legal representative soon after your accident will give you the time you need to submit your lawsuit well before the filing deadline.
A Quick Settlement isn’t Always the Best Option for Injury Victims
In most injury claims, the at-fault insurance company will offer you a small settlement, usually a fraction of the money you deserve, within a few short weeks. However, this is the insurance company’s attempt to avoid a larger payout. It’s important to consult with a lawyer before denying or accepting this settlement, as accepting it will prevent you from filing a lawsuit.
It may take several years for a lawsuit to yield the damages you need to treat your injuries. This may not be as quick as many injury victims are looking for, but it’s important to remember that these can be very complex lawsuits.
A personal injury attorney will need to look at all aspects of your case and clearly demonstrate to a jury the damages you’ve suffered to get a favorable outcome. While filing a personal injury lawsuit may take longer than you expected, seeing the legal process through from start to finish is the best way to get the damages you’re looking for.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer
At Jones & Swanson, we stand for the long-term interests of our clients, not a quick payday. When you hire us, we’ll fight to get the damages you need to improve your life and put this unfortunate time in the past. We have over 45 years of combined experience handling cases like yours, so we’re confident we have what it takes to file a winning suit for you.
Contact our lawyers today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options. We’ll meet with you to discuss your case and give you a rough estimate of how long your personal injury lawsuit will take. We look forward to hearing from you soon and representing your best interests throughout the legal process.