There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for how long it takes to resolve a car accident case in St. Louis. Some claims wrap up within a few months, particularly where liability and damages are clear, while others might take over a year, or even longer, to fully settle.
Every case is different, but understanding the general steps in a St. Louis, Missouri car accident claim and how long each one might take can help set your expectations.
Immediate Aftermath (Days to Weeks)
Right after the accident, medical treatment begins, which is critical for your health and future legal claims. During this phase, you should make sure you follow all of your doctor’s orders and consider reaching out to a personal injury lawyer who can help guide you through the next steps.
Investigation and Evidence Gathering (1 Month to 6 Months)
Over the following weeks or months, your attorney and the insurance company will collect the evidence needed to build your case. Medical records and bills are gathered to document your injuries, ongoing needs, and financial impact. Your lawyer can also review the accident scene, any photos that were taken, and speak with witnesses who saw what occurred.
Medical Treatment and Maximum Medical Improvement (3-6+ Months)
Before you can truly resolve your case and know what kind of compensation you should be asking for, you have to reach what’s called maximum medical improvement. This is the point where your injuries are fully understood and future expenses can be anticipated. This is important because once you accept a settlement, you cannot later go back and ask for more money if additional health issues or losses arise.
Demand and Negotiation Phase (2-4 months)
Now that you know how severe your injuries are and what losses you’re anticipating, you and your lawyer can determine how much to demand from the insurance company of the at-fault party. The insurance adjuster will likely reject your demand and submit a lower counter-offer. This negotiation can be quick or turn into a series of back-and-forth discussions.
Settlement (A Few Weeks)
If you and your car accident attorney in St. Louis are able to come to an agreement with the insurance company about a settlement, your attorney can handle the paperwork and make sure you get the official offer. Once your lawyer takes their fees and pays any other costs, they’ll send you your compensation and that essentially ends the case.
Litigation Phase (If Necessary) (6 Months to 2+ Years)
If it’s not possible to come to an agreement with the insurance company about a settlement, your lawyer can decide to file your case in civil court and sue the defendant for damages. Both sides participate in discovery, which is where the parties share documents, answer formal written questions, and sit for depositions. Sometimes this can still lead to a settlement, but if not, the case goes to trial in front of a judge and jury.
No two cases follow exactly the same schedule due to differences in injury severity, treatment length, insurance company responsiveness, legal complexity, and negotiation results. Each of the above timelines is just an estimate, but at least provides an overview of what you can expect.
Working with our knowledgeable St. Louis car accident lawyers at Meyerkord & Kurth helps ensure each step moves as quickly as possible while keeping your recovery as a top priority. Schedule your free consultation today.