Regardless of whether you’ve been involved in a car crash or slip-and-fall, accidents can be incredibly traumatic, both physically and emotionally. If you’ve recently been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may assume that the insurance company will promptly and willingly pay out the compensation you deserve. However, several factors can delay the settlement of your claim. Please continue reading to learn what factors can delay the process and how a competent New York City Personal Injury Attorney can help you attain justice.
What Can Delay the Settlement of My Claim?
One of the most common reasons that accident claims can take longer to pursue is when multiple parties are involved. Determining each party’s degree of fault in the accident can complicate and lengthen negotiations. If the opposing party disputes fault, it can delay a settlement.
If your injuries are severe, it can take significant time to reach maximum medical improvement. Essentially, this means that your condition has stabilized enough to assess damages accurately. Until you know the full extent of your injuries and medical expenses, you cannot make a settlement for the total cost of the accident. As such, it’s important to keep detailed medical records. Bills from your hospital visits, surgeries, and follow-up care can take months to arrive, meaning you won’t know how long it will take for you to recover, how much treatment you need, or the potential long-term care you may need in the future. The insurance company will not agree to compensate you for your losses without proof of both past and future expenses.
Unfortunately, insurance companies can act in bad faith, intentionally delaying the settlement process. There are instances in which they will resort to unnecessary or tedious procedures to avoid or reduce payouts. Anything beyond a month should be scrutinized. If you believe the insurance company is dragging its feet, and not taking your claim seriously, it’s in your best interest to contact an experienced attorney who can help you fight for the compensation you deserve and need to get your life back on track.
At Swerling Law, we are prepared to help guide you through each phase of the claims process. The insurance company will do everything possible to avoid liability and reduce the value of your claim. If you’ve been injured through no fault of your own, please don’t hesitate to contact our dedicated legal team who can effectively represent your interests and fight for the best possible outcome on your behalf. Connect with our firm today to discuss your options and learn more about how we can assist you.
