In the wake of a motorcycle wreck that has left you seriously injured, getting fair financial compensation for the losses your injuries have caused should be one of your top priorities. As urgent as your need for money may be, you may have a difficult time suing for it in a timely manner—or even getting paid anything at all—without help from capable legal counsel.
On top of the legal representation you have, many things can impact how long a motorcycle accident lawsuit will take, including some that are not in your control as the injured person. Our skilled attorneys can provide a brief overview of what might impact your claim in this way and explain why motorcycle accident claims can take anywhere from just a few weeks to a year or more to resolve, depending on the circumstances.
What Factors Affect the Length of a Motorcycle Crash Lawsuit?
The main reason why some motorcycle accident lawsuits take longer than others is that not every motorcycle accident victim suffers the same injuries from their wreck. If you’ve only suffered minor injuries that will heal completely with time and proper medical care, you might be able to negotiate a fair settlement much more quickly than if you’d suffered life-altering injuries that will keep harming you for years or even decades to come.
Likewise, if it’s not clear who was at fault for a motorcycle wreck or there isn’t a lot of evidence to settle the matter in one direction or another, negotiations for a settlement are more likely to drag out over several months instead of concluding in a few weeks. Even the particular insurance company you’re dealing with can have an impact on how long the claims process will take since some insurers may be more likely to act in bad faith during negotiations compared to others.
Are There Legal Deadlines for Motorcycle Wreck Claims?
Aside from helping you deal with financial and personal losses, getting paid quickly after a motorcycle accident is also important because of the statute of limitations. The exact deadline varies from state to state, but generally speaking, you have a limited amount of time after getting hurt in a motorcycle crash to file suit against the person responsible for causing that wreck. Failing to file before the applicable deadline passes will prevent you from recovering any civil compensation for that crash.
This deadline only determines when you have to formally start a lawsuit over your injury, not necessarily when your claim has to be finished. Once you’ve filed suit, you can continue negotiating for a settlement until a civil court judge issues a final verdict on your case. The vast majority of motorcycle accident claims end with a settlement, with very few making it all the way to a court verdict.
Every case is different, and so is every person who needs financial restitution for harm someone else caused them while riding. If you have further questions about how long a motorcycle accident lawsuit might take and what your legal options might be, you can get the answers and information you need by speaking with an experienced lawyer. Call Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers today to discuss your possible claim and get started enforcing your legal rights.
