--- title: How Long Will It Take to Settle My Personal Injury Claim? description: It's not possible to say exactly how long it will take to settle your personal injury claim because every case is different. Some can be settled within 3-4 months. Others take years. It depends on several factors, including whether or not you want to settle fast for less or hold out for more. image: https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/hubfs/images/Time3-470488-edited.jpg --- [![Foreclosure and Loan Modification Lawyers](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/hs-fs/images/forclosure-attorneys.png?width=360&height=117&name=forclosure-attorneys.png "Foreclosure and Loan Modification Lawyers")](https://www.amerihopealliance.com/) - Practice Areas - [Foreclosure Defense](https://amerihopealliance.com/foreclosure-defense) - [Claim Surplus Funds](https://amerihopealliance.com/surplus-funds) - [Loan Modification](https://amerihopealliance.com/loan-modification) - [Tax Resolution & Tax Preparation](https://amerihopealliance.com/en/amerihope-alliance-tax-resolution) - [Bankruptcy](https://amerihopealliance.com/en/bankruptcy) - [Probate](https://amerihopealliance.com/en/probate) - [About Us](https://amerihopealliance.com/about_us) - [Case Results](https://legal.amerihopealliance.com/case-results) - [Client Login](https://amerihopealliance.com/client_login) - [FAQ](https://amerihopealliance.com/frequently-asked-questions) - [Contact Us](https://amerihopealliance.com/contact_us) - [Blog](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/blog) - [Foreclosure and Loan Modification Blog](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/blog) - [Personal Injury Blog](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury) - [Referrals](https://amerihopealliance.com/surplus-case-referral) ph: (877) 882-5338 # Personal Injury Blog - [Blog](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/blog) - Personal Injury Blog ## How Long Will It Take to Settle My Personal Injury Claim? \[fa icon="clock-o"\] June 2018 \[fa icon="user"\] [Maxwell Swinney](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/author/maxwell-swinney) \[fa icon="folder-open'\] [car accident](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/topic/car-accident), [personal injury settlement](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/topic/personal-injury-settlement) ![It's not possible to say exactly how long it will take to settle your personal injury claim because every case is different. Some can be settled within 3-4 months. Others take years. It depends on several factors, including whether or not you want to settle fast for less or hold out for more.](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Time3-470488-edited.jpg?width=450&name=Time3-470488-edited.jpg)If you've been **injured in an accident that was someone else's fault, you'll want to be reimbursed** for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. That's only fair. **But how long will it take?**  It's not possible to say exactly how long it will take to settle your personal injury claim because every case is different. Some can be settled within **3-4 months**. Others take **years**. The time it takes to settle your case will depend on how long it takes for you to **complete medical treatment**, how the insurance company deals with your case, and whether you want to settle fast for less money or hold out for a fair settlement. ### Getting Medical Treatment The first and most important thing to do following an accident is to get medical treatment for your injuries. Remember that **some injuries get worse in the days and weeks after an accident**. At the time of the accident, it may not be apparent how badly injured you are. So you should always [see a medical professional](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/why-you-should-always-see-a-doctor-after-a-car-accident) immediately if you think you are injured at all.  The documentation from a medical professional will be needed as proof when you try to get reimbursed from the insurance company. ### Mitigating Damages Even though your injuries weren't your fault, you still have an obligation to take actions to get better and reduce the consequences of the injury. This is called **“mitigation of damages”**. It means that **you can't recover damages that you could have avoided by taking reasonable actions**. If you ignore medical advice, delay getting treatment, or fail to seek new employment (if necessary) following your accident, that could reduce the damages you're eligible to recover. That's all the more reason to **get treatment early** and follow through on everything you're supposed to do to get better, physically and financially. ### Reaching Maximum Medical Improvement ![Before your personal injury claim can be settled, the insurance company will want you to reach what's called maximum medical improvement (MMI), which means that your recovery has plateaued.](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Doctor.jpg?width=266&name=Doctor.jpg)The insurance company will want you to reach what's called **maximum medical improvement (MMI)** before they even think about settling your claim. MMI is when an injured person ***“reaches a state where his or her condition cannot be improved any further or when a treatment plateau in a person’s healing process is reached.” *** You have to reach maximum medical improvement because settling any earlier would mean settling with unknown costs. Once you've reached MMI, it will be known what costs have been incurred to that point and what your treatment plan for the future is. How long it takes you to reach MMI will depend on the severity of your injuries, but most people reach it in a matter of months. After you've reached maximum medical improvement, then it's possible to **file your claim with the insurance company**. You'll need to show documentation of everything related to your case, including the accident report, copies of your medical bills, and proof of lost wages. It will take some time, probably weeks or months, for them to review all of this. ### Low Offers and Quick Settlements After you've filed a claim with the insurance company, and they've had time to review it, now it's possible for them to make you an offer. But don't expect to be thrilled about the first offer you receive. **Insurance companies have been known to offer extremely low settlements** to claimants to see if they will accept. They've got nothing to lose. If you take it, then they settled for a fraction of what they otherwise could have. If not, then the process continues. If you just want something as soon as possible, then you could take an early offer that's way too low. **But who wants to settle for less than what they deserve?** It would be better to keep trying for [something fair](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/how-much-money-is-my-personal-injury-case-worth). ### Getting An Attorney (and The Best Settlement) Your best bet to get a fair settlement in a reasonable amount of time is to **work with a qualified professional**, such as a [personal injury attorney](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/when-should-you-hire-a-car-accident-lawyer), who can advise you on what your claim is worth and negotiate with the insurance company to get it. **Personal injury attorneys don't cost you anything out of pocket.** They are paid a percentage of the settlement money they get for you, which saves you cash and gives them a reason to fight for the best settlement for you. So, there's no reason not to hire a personal injury attorney if you need one. **Once you have agreed to a settlement with the insurance company, it will likely be a couple weeks before you actually receive your money.** Don't accept less just to get something sooner, and don't go it alone unless you're an expert on personal injury claims. Your settlement money may not come as soon as you'd like, but if you do the right things, you can maximize the chances of getting a fair recovery.       [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/161513/4e9c0c4a-0409-4d2d-b95a-a8b902a5bf51.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/161513/4e9c0c4a-0409-4d2d-b95a-a8b902a5bf51) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Maxwell Swinney](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/hs-fs/hub/161513/file-397888097.jpg?width=100&height=100&name=file-397888097.jpg) #### Written by [Maxwell Swinney](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/author/maxwell-swinney) ### About this Blog Amerihope Alliance Legal Services is a leading loan modification and foreclosure defense law firm with attorneys licensed in 5 states. We have helped over 7,000 homeowners fight back and keep their homes. [![Click to Read Our Super Loan Mod Success Stories](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/161513/ae6b7cd7-c502-4ee5-a643-cd8deff48953.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/161513/ae6b7cd7-c502-4ee5-a643-cd8deff48953) Our goal is to provide valuable information to help homeowners who are trying to obtain a loan modification or to stop foreclosure. You may schedule a [free consultation](https://www.amerihopealliance.com/free_consultation) at any time. ### Subscribe to Email Updates - Popular - Recent - Topics ![feature image](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/hubfs/images/MedBills.jpg) [Who Pays Your Medical Bills If You're Injured In A Car Accident In Florida?](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/who-pays-your-medical-bills-when-youre-injured-in-a-car-accident-in-florida) Published February 7, 2019 ![feature image](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/hubfs/images/ClockChain.jpg) [How Long Do You Have To Get Medical Treatment After An Accident?](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/how-long-do-i-have-to-go-to-medical-treatment-to-settle-my-personal-injury-case) Published August 19, 2018 ![feature image](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/hubfs/images/DogCar.jpg) [What Can You Do If Your Dog Is Injured In A Car Accident?](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/what-can-you-do-if-your-dog-or-cat-is-injured-in-a-car-accident) Published August 30, 2018 ![feature image](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/hubfs/images/Memes/UberLyft.png) [What If You're Injured In An Uber or Lyft Accident?](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/what-if-youre-injured-in-an-uber-or-lyft-accident) Published December 2, 2018 ![feature image](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/hubfs/images/TextDrive.jpg) [Texting And Driving Makes Car Accidents More Likely](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/texting-and-driving-makes-car-accidents-more-likely) Published December 23, 2018 ### Lists by Topic - [car accident (7)](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/tag/car-accident) - [personal injury (4)](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/tag/personal-injury) - [personal injury settlement (4)](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/tag/personal-injury-settlement) - [Dog Is Injured In A Car Accident (1)](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/tag/dog-is-injured-in-a-car-accident) - [distracted driving (1)](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/tag/distracted-driving) - [medical bills (1)](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/tag/medical-bills) - [negligence (1)](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/tag/negligence) - [pain and suffering (1)](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/tag/pain-and-suffering) - [personal injury attorney (1)](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/tag/personal-injury-attorney) - [personal injury claim (1)](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/tag/personal-injury-claim) - [personal injury protection (1)](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/tag/personal-injury-protection) - [uber and lyft (1)](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com/personal-injury/tag/uber-and-lyft) see all [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/161513/5a1cfa41-2f25-4042-be8d-84677e3a244d.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/161513/5a1cfa41-2f25-4042-be8d-84677e3a244d) ### Foreclosure Process Handbook ### Sitemap - [About](https://www.amerihopealliance.com/about_us) - [Case Results](https://legal.amerihopealliance.com/case-results) - [Free Consultation](https://www.amerihopealliance.com/free_consultation) - [Blog](https://blog.amerihopealliance.com) - [Client Login](https://www.amerihopealliance.com/client_login) ### Subscribe [![Do You Need To Hire A Foreclosure Attorney? Take Our 2-Minute Quiz](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/161513/ceb8a341-537c-4129-a97d-da85fc0868ce.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/161513/ceb8a341-537c-4129-a97d-da85fc0868ce) ### Recent Posts ## Contact Us ### Call (877) 882-5338 ### Fax: (954) 919-6337 ### View our Office Locations Copyright 2008 - 2026 | Amerihope Alliance Legal Services [Privacy Policy](https://amerihopealliance.com/privacy) | [Terms of Service](https://amerihopealliance.com/terms) | [Site Map](https://amerihopealliance.com/sitemap) | [Glossary](https://amerihopealliance.com/glossary.php) | [Contact Us](https://amerihopealliance.com/contact_us) We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. This web site is designed for general information only. The facts and law in each case are different. We cannot and do not represent or guarantee a specific result in any given case. See our About Us page for our qualifications and experience.