How Long Does A Car Accident Settlement Take?

May 23, 2025

Black car is parked on the side of the road

After a car accident, the physical pain and emotional stress are often compounded by a pressing question: How long will it take to settle my case? While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, understanding the timeline and process can help you set expectations and choose the right legal team to guide you.

At Smith & Weidinger, PLLC, we represent car accident victims throughout Denver, Broomfield, Centennial, and beyond. Our team of experienced attorneys helps clients navigate every stage of the settlement process—from filing a claim to negotiating with insurance companies and, when necessary, going to court. Our goal is simple: to help you recover full compensation.

Understanding Car Accident Settlements

A car accident settlement is a legal agreement between the injured party and the insurance company (or the at-fault party) to resolve a claim without going to trial. In most car accident cases, the settlement covers expenses like:

Medical bills
Lost wages
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Future medical care

Settlements are often faster and less expensive than taking a case to court, but they still require strategic negotiation, detailed documentation, and patience.

Some car accident cases settle in a matter of weeks. Others may take months or even over a year. It all depends on the circumstances of the accident, the extent of your injuries, and how cooperative the insurance company is.

Factors That Affect How Long a Settlement Takes

Several key factors determine how long it will take to resolve your car accident claim:

Severity of Injuries

The more serious your injuries, the longer your case might take. That’s because waiting until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) is important before finalizing a settlement. This ensures all current and future medical expenses are included in your compensation. If you settle too early, before the full extent of your injuries is known, you risk leaving money on the table.

Complexity of the Case

Some accidents have clear-cut liability, while others involve multiple vehicles, conflicting witness statements, or unclear police reports. Determining fault and liability can delay the process if additional investigation or expert analysis is needed. Disputed liability also invites insurance pushback, which can stall negotiations.

Insurance Company Delays

Insurance companies are notorious for using delay tactics. They may:

Request excessive documentation
Dispute medical treatment costs
Offer low settlements, hoping you’ll accept quickly
Blame pre-existing conditions

Having a personal injury lawyer handle communication often speeds things up. At Smith & Weidinger, we oppose these tactics and keep your case moving forward.

Whether a Lawsuit Is Filed

Many Colorado personal injury cases settle during initial negotiations. But if the insurer refuses to offer a fair amount, your lawyer may need to file a lawsuit to pressure them to act in good faith. Once litigation begins, the timeline can stretch further depending on court schedules, pre-trial motions, and discovery.

Steps in the Car Accident Claim Settlement Process

Every case is different, but most car accident settlements follow a general process:

Medical Treatment and Evaluation

You’ll begin by seeking treatment for your injuries. As mentioned earlier, waiting until you’ve reached MMI before calculating your total damages for your car accident claim is crucial.

Filing a Claim

Once your injuries and expenses are documented, your attorney will file a demand with the insurance company. This includes:

Medical records and bills
Police reports
Evidence of lost wages
Witness statements and photos
A detailed summary of your damages

Initial Negotiations

After reviewing your claim, the insurance company will usually respond with a counteroffer. Negotiations can go back and forth for weeks or months, depending on the complexity of the case and how reasonable the insurer is.

Discovery

If negotiations fail, your car accident lawyer may file a lawsuit. Both sides then enter the discovery phase, where they exchange evidence, depose witnesses, and build their cases. This stage can take several months, but it often motivates insurers to settle before trial.

Trial

Only a small percentage of car accident cases go to trial. Still, the possibility of litigation can influence how quickly the insurance company is willing to negotiate seriously. An experienced personal injury attorney from Smith & Weidinger, LLC, can help fight for fair compensation.

How Smith & Weidinger, PLLC Can Help

At Smith & Weidinger, we take pride in helping clients resolve car accident claims quickly and fairly, without the runaround. Here’s how we make a difference:

Proactive Case Management: We don’t wait for the insurance company to act—we take the lead. From day one, we begin gathering evidence, organizing records, and positioning your case for a strong resolution.
Clear, Honest Communication: We update you throughout the process and explain your options at every turn. You’ll never feel left in the dark.
Strategic Negotiation: We know how to calculate the true value of your claim, including future costs, non-economic damages, and long-term consequences. Then we fight for every dollar you’re entitled to.
Efficient Legal Tactics: While we don’t rush the process, we avoid unnecessary delays by using smart strategies, responsive communication, and our deep understanding of Colorado law and insurance practices.

We also offer lower fees than most firms and never take more in attorney fees than our clients receive net, because we believe you should keep the majority of your settlement.

How Long Will Your Settlement Agreement Take?

While every car accident lawsuit is unique, here’s a general car accident settlement timeline:

Simple cases with minor injuries: two to three months
Moderate injury cases: four to eight months
Serious injury cases involving litigation: nine to 18+ months

Keep in mind that settling too fast often means settling for less. With Smith & Weidinger, LLC, you can rest assured that your claim will be handled efficiently, but never rushed at your expense.

Start Your Case with Confidence

If you’ve been injured in a car accident and are wondering how long it might take to settle a car accident case, the best step you can take is to speak with a knowledgeable attorney. At Smith & Weidinger, PLLC, we offer free consultations and don’t get paid unless you win.
Contact us today to speak with one of our car accident attorneys and let us fight to get you a quick settlement offer.

Note: The information provided in this blog post has been compiled from publicly available and secondary sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may become outdated or contain inadvertent errors. If you believe any information is incorrect or requires updating, please contact Smith & Weidinger so that we may review and make the appropriate corrections.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a solicitation for business. The photo used is not from the scene of the incident described. Viewing this content does not create an attorney-client relationship with Smith & Weidinger. If you have been injured in an accident, please seek immediate medical attention and then consult with a qualified attorney to discuss your legal rights and options.