Typical Personal Injury Lawsuit Timeline

Injury and accident lawsuits may only take a few months to settle, but the average personal injury lawsuit timeline is about one year. In more complex cases, it can take up two to three years for a verdict. 

The majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court. Cases that are not settled out of court will go to trial, which often take longer due to full court dockets. Your attorney will likely prepare for trial, even if they are confident your case will be settled during mediation.

Common Timelines for Personal Injury Cases

The average personal injury lawsuit timeline depends on the type and severity of your case. Some average personal injury lawsuit timelines include:

• Car and Truck Wrecks: 6-18 Months
• Nursing Home Abuse & Negligence: 18-24 Months
• Wrongful Death: 6 Months – 4 Years

Personal Injury Action Timeline

While it’s impossible to accurately predict how long it will take to settle, most personal injury cases follow a specific timeline:

1. Initial Consultation: Your attorney will discuss the events surrounding your case to determine if your case is viable. If so, they will move to the next stage:
2. Investigation: The attorney will investigate your accident and review your medical records along with any necessary experts. Based on these findings:
3. Demand Letter: Your attorney will then send a demand letter asking for payment. If the demand is denied:
4. Lawsuit: Your attorney will file a civil lawsuit.

Once the above steps are completed, the attorney will begin their litigation discovery phase. During this phase, the attorney will gather evidence, interview witnesses, and collect anything they need to build their case. 

Following discovery, the court may order mediation to attempt to reach a settlement. If both parties do not come to a settlement during mediation, a trial date will be set and the claim will go before a jury. While a jury trial rarely happens, every case is aggressively pursued to ensure our clients receive the most effective representation.
If you or someone you know has suffered personal injury, we can help. Contact Saladino & Schaaf today or call us at 270-444-0406 (Paducah, KY) or 270-753-1529 (Murray, KY) to schedule a free case review. You may be entitled to a settlement for your injuries, but you must act quickly. There are time limits on legal action.