If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, you may be thinking about beginning a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. However, if you’re like many accident victims, you’re probably wondering: how long does a motorcycle accident lawsuit take?
Generally, you can expect a motorcycle accident lawsuit to take anywhere from a few weeks to a few years. The exact length of time your case will take depends on a range of factors, and every case is different.
Read on to learn more about the steps involved in a typical motorcycle accident lawsuit and what factors tend to lengthen the process.
Filing a Claim: One Week
Motorcycle accident settlements typically do not begin with a lawsuit. Instead, they start with an insurance claim.
If you experienced an accident that was not your fault, you should be able to receive compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The first step in this process is filing a claim with the insurer.
In most cases, the at-fault driver’s insurance company should reach out to you within a few days of your accident. If not, you can call them directly. You’ll need to relay the details of the accident and provide any evidence you have to support your case. Before speaking with the insurance company of the at-fault driver, you should hire an attorney. They can help walk you through the process and make sure that you don’t compromise the outcome of your case by saying something that could make it seem like you are somewhat at fault.
Generally, you should be able to submit your claim within one week of your accident.
Waiting for a Compensation Offer: Up to Several Months
Once you submit your claim with the insurance company, you’ll need to wait to receive an offer from the insurer. Unfortunately, the insurer will probably do everything it can to fight your claim and minimize your compensation. As a result, this step can become a little tiring and complicated.
Generally, the first offer an insurance company gives you will not be enough to cover your motorcycle accident damages. You may need to dispute the offer and wait for another one. However, to negotiate the offer successfully, you’ll need to provide evidence that your claim is worth more than the insurer offered.
This evidence can include:
- Photos of the accident scene
- Police reports
- Repair estimates from a collision center
- Medical bills
- Written plans for future medical treatments
Once you submit this evidence, the insurer will review it and determine whether to increase its offer. In some cases, insurance companies refuse to increase their initial offers.
Altogether, this back-and-forth process with the insurance company can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. It is helpful to have your attorney assist you in this process since they will know how to build your case to get you compensation.
File a Lawsuit: A Few Days
If the insurance company does not offer an appropriate amount of money for your case, you can then consider initiating a motorcycle accident lawsuit. At this point, you’ll definitely want to have a motorcycle accident attorney on your side.
Litigate Your Case: Up To Several Years
If you decide to proceed with litigation, your attorney can help you navigate the legal process and represent you in court. Unfortunately, this step in the process could take the longest. Sometimes, motorcycle accident cases do not even reach the court docket until several years after filing.
However, if securing adequate compensation is important to you, we recommend being patient as your lawyer guides you through the legal process. Securing the necessary payment will be worth the time the lawsuit takes.
Our Law Tigers Team Can Help
Hiring an attorney can ensure that you navigate the lawsuit professionally and do everything you can to secure the most compensation for your claim. Your attorney can:
- Help you gather evidence
- Contact the insurance company on your behalf
- Negotiate with the insurance company to attempt to settle out of court
- Represent you in court
- Provide legal advice and guidance
Contact our Law Tigers team today at 1-888-863-7216 to schedule a free case evaluation.
