One of the most common questions we get at our New York personal injury law firm is:
“How long will it take to resolve my case after an accident—and how involved do I have to be?”
Most of our clients are busy professionals, parents, business owners, and individuals with full plates. After an accident—whether it’s a car crash, slip and fall, or another personal injury—their lives are turned upside down. They’re suddenly juggling doctor’s appointments, medical bills, lost wages, and insurance issues on top of their regular responsibilities. It’s overwhelming.
We understand that. And our job is to lift that burden off your shoulders.
Your Focus: Healing.
Our Focus: Everything Else.
When you hire an attorney, your main job is to get better—physically and emotionally. Our role is to handle the legal process:
- Communicating with insurance companies
- Gathering medical records
- Dealing with billing and paperwork
- Negotiating your claim
- Filing a lawsuit if necessary
We aim to make the process as smooth as possible so you can focus on recovery and taking care of your family.
So, How Long Does It Take to Settle a Personal Injury Case in New York?
Short answer: It depends.
But here are the main factors that impact the timeline:
1. Is Your Case Likely to Settle Without Litigation?
Some cases can be resolved without going to court. If your injury claim is one where liability is clear (i.e., the other party was obviously at fault), and we have enough medical documentation showing the full extent of your injuries, we may be able to settle with the insurance company directly.
In those cases, you might see a resolution within 3 to 6 months of the accident.
2. Are You Still Receiving Medical Treatment?
We can’t settle your case until we know the full scope of your injuries. In New York personal injury claims, once you accept a settlement, it’s final. You don’t get a second chance to ask for more money later if your condition worsens.As we tell clients often: “You only get one bite at the apple.”
That means we won’t rush to settle your case until we’re confident that your medical treatment is complete—or at least we have a clear picture of your future prognosis.
How Involved Do I Have to Be in the Process?
That’s totally up to you.
Some clients want regular updates and like to ask questions along the way. Others prefer to stay hands-off and just let us handle everything. We’re here for both types of clients. The most important thing is that you stay responsive when we reach out and keep us informed about your treatment progress.
We’re proud to work with smart, hardworking New Yorkers who trust us to do what we do best—so they can focus on getting their lives back on track.
Final Thoughts
Every accident claim is unique. The timeline can vary based on your injuries, the insurance companies involved, and whether a lawsuit is necessary. But no matter what, our team is here to handle the legal heavy lifting while you focus on healing.
If you’ve been injured in an accident in New York and have questions about how long your case might take—or how we can help—reach out to our office today for a free consultation.