Each case’s timeline differs, so knowing how long a motorcycle accident will take can be challenging. The length of your case will depend on several factors, including whether your case settles outside of court or goes to trial. A Columbus motorcycle accident lawyer may be able to provide an approximate timeline once they start your case and engage in settlement negotiations.
By hiring an attorney, you can ensure there are no delays on your side of the case. Your lawyer will also demand that parties that owe you compensation for damages, including auto insurance companies, handle your case promptly.
What Determines How Long a Motorcycle Case Will Take?
Any detail could affect the time it takes to wrap up your case. For instance, a minor error in case-related paperwork could cause a delay. While your lawyer will work tirelessly to avoid preventable delays, factors that could affect your case’s timeline can be any of the following:
The Nature of Your Injuries and Severity of Symptoms
Motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries, so it may take time to:
- Diagnose your injuries
- Identify all your injury symptoms
- Identify any injuries or symptoms you will not fully recover from
- Determine the full cost of your accident-related medical care
- Identify the cost of disabilities you have from the motorcycle accident
Your personal injury attorney may need you to reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) before they can identify the full cost of your injuries. This is why the nature and severity of your injuries will be a key factor in your case’s timeline.
The Complexity of the Bike Accident
Your motorcycle accident attorney must investigate the accident to determine who is at fault. The more complex your accident is, the longer the investigative process may take. An investigation may become more complex if:
- There are few witness accounts.
- There is no video footage of the accident.
- Parties in the accident disagree about who is at fault.
- There are many different types of evidence to collect.
If there is no clear or convincing evidence of fault, your lawyer may need to present various types of evidence to prove the negligent driver’s fault
The Willingness of Liable Parties to Pay You Fairly
A motorcycle accident case ends if liable parties agree to a fair settlement. However, as the National Safety Council (NSC) explains, traffic accidents can cause serious injuries that costs thousands of dollars. Liable parties are often unwilling (or at least reluctant) to hand over such a large sum of money.
If liable parties are unwilling to pay you fairly, at least at first, this could:
- Lead to multiple rounds of settlement negotiations
- Require your lawyer to work toward a fair settlement offer
- Require your attorney to file a lawsuit
- Require your attorney to take your case to court
- Extend your case’s timeline
Even if settlement negotiations prove lengthy, the payoff could be worthwhile.
Whether a Trial Is Necessary
Whether your case goes to trial or not may be the single most influential factor in how long your case takes. A trial may take months (or even longer) to resolve, as it is a multi-step process involving witness testimony, oral arguments, and various other processes.
How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Will Work to Avoid Case Delays
To the extent that they can, your attorney will avoid delays by:
- Completing a speedy but thorough investigation of the accident
- Completing and submitting all case-related paperwork as urgently as possible
- Responding quickly to any requests from insurers, courts, and others involved in the case
- Documenting your damages and completing every other step in your case as quickly as possible
- Insisting that insurers, civil defense lawyers, courts, and any other party involved in your case moves forward as efficiently as possible
An Ohio motorcycle accident lawyer from our team knows that you need to move forward with your life. Getting fair compensation for your accident is the first step in finding normalcy. We will work hard to secure the compensation you deserve as soon as possible.
Steps We Can Take to Secure a Motorcycle Accident Settlement or Judgment
We can take the entire motorcycle accident claims and legal processes off your hands, which is one way to streamline your case. By taking complete ownership of your case, we will waste no time managing case-related details—we handle everything in-house.
Our responsibilities will include:
- Securing all case-relevant evidence
- Obtaining proof of your accident-related damages
- Keeping a running account of the cost of your damages
- Handling all communications with insurers and other involved parties
- Completing settlement negotiations, which may require numerous negotiation sessions
- Completing a trial if your case requires it
Attorney John Fitch has more than 30 years of experience representing motorcycle accident victims, and this experience is a common theme among our legal team. We are always available for our clients, which is the kind of attention that you deserve after a traumatic motorcycle accident.
Damages a Motorcycle Accident Settlement Should Cover
We aim to secure financial recovery for all your accident-related damages, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental health treatment
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Diminished earning power
- Property expenses
Wrongful Death Damages After a Motorcycle Accident
If you have lost a loved one due to a motorcycle accident, please accept our team’s condolences. An Ohio wrongful death lawyer from our team will seek compensation for:
- Loss of consortium or loss of companionship
- Loss of the decedent’s financial support
- Loss of the decedent’s household contributions
- Grief and other pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Other damages caused by your loved one’s death
The Fitch Law Firm LLC will work tirelessly to get a fair financial recovery for the cost of your damages.
We Will Be
There To Help
You All The Way
Call The Fitch Law Firm LLC Today for a Free Consultation About a Motorcycle Accident
You do not have to wait to speak with our team about hiring an Ohio motorcycle accident attorney. We may face a deadline for filing your case. Call us today for your free initial consultation.