How Long Does It Take to Get a Settlement Offer?

After being injured in an accident, going through the legal process to get compensation can feel exhausting. Knowing how long you can expect to wait before getting a settlement offer can help you feel more prepared and set realistic expectations for yourself.

Filing a personal injury claim and then going through negotiation sessions can be time-consuming or move quickly. The settlement timeline depends on the specifics of your insurance claim.

The Initial Settlement Offer From the Insurance Company

Once you file your car accident claim, the insurance company will take some time to review the details and then come back with an initial settlement offer. Almost every initial settlement offer is way below the true value of your claim. Insurance companies are businesses, so they strive to pay as little as possible in settlements.

The initial offer is a starting point to negotiate for more money. The claims adjusters will send this offer to test your knowledge of your injuries and damages and to see if you’re willing to accept a settlement check that’s less than what you deserve.

Common Reasons for Lowball Offers

There are several strategies that insurance companies will use to justify why they’re offering a low settlement amount. When you know what their tactics are, you can be better prepared for the negotiation process:

• Undervaluing Injuries: They might downplay your injuries or argue they’re not as severe as you make them seem.
• Lack of Documentation: When you don’t provide comprehensive evidence of your injuries and the medical costs, they can use that against you.
• Disputing Liability: They might try to say that you were partially or fully at fault for the accident, reducing your compensation.
• Quick Settlement Pressure: They might present a lower offer, hoping you’ll accept it fast because you need the money or are impatient.
• Pre-Existing Conditions: They might say that you have pre-existing conditions and that the accident didn’t cause the injuries you’re stating on your claim.
• Standardized Formulas: Many insurance companies use a computer program to calculate offers, which usually fail to account for unique circumstances or non-economic damages in accident claims.

Responding to the First Offer

When you get your first settlement offer, ensure your response is strategic. You don’t want to accept the first offer as it’s lower than you deserve, so you must communicate clearly that the offer isn’t acceptable and suggest meaningful negotiations.

All successful negotiations come with a well-reasoned counteroffer. Your response to the settlement funds will set the tone for the rest of the negotiations and show what you know about the actual value of your accident claim.

Crafting a Strong Counteroffer

As you create your counteroffer, here are some tips on what it should include:

• Detailed Documentation: Add comprehensive evidence of all the damages incurred. These details include medical expenses, expert opinions on future medical needs, lost wages, etc.
• Specific Demands: Present a compensation total that is clear and justified based on your injuries and losses.
• Clear Explanation: Give a valid and clear reason why the initial offer isn’t going to work, addressing every point of disagreement with the insurance company.
• Personal Impact Statement: It helps to include a statement about how the accident and subsequent injuries have impacted your life.
• Future Considerations: Include any other long-term effects that the injury can cause and the associated costs or medical bills.
• Legal precedents: If there are any similar cases, use them as precedents to back up why you deserve the figure you’re suggesting.

Factors Influencing the Time for a Second Offer

After you submit your counteroffer, you’ll have to wait for their response. How long it’ll take to hear back from the insurance company with their second offer depends on many factors. Understanding these factors can help you set realistic expectations for the process.

Complexity of the Case

Generally, the more complex the case is, the longer you’ll have to wait. Factors that influence the complexity of your case include:

• Severity of Injuries: Claims with permanent or more severe injuries usually need more time to evaluate the settlement money and negotiate.
• Multiple Defendants: When more than one liable party or insurance policy is involved, negotiations can be complicated.
• Disputed Liability: In cases where there is disagreement about liability, the dispute over who is liable can prolong negotiations.
• Unique Circumstances: If your case has any unique factors, it may require more investigation and expert opinions.

Insurance Company’s Approach

How the insurance company operates, like its strategies and processes, will impact the timeline of your claim:

• If they have a large caseload, it can slow down the process and delay you getting a settlement offer;
• Some insurers use delay tactics as a way to wear down claimants;
• The insurer might have to do further research before making a second offer;
• Insurance adjusters usually need to get approval from supervisors before sending out a second offer to ensure they don’t go above certain thresholds.

Strength of Your Counteroffer

The quality of your counteroffer and how persuasive you are can influence how long it takes to hear back from the insurance provider about a second offer:

• Realistic Demand: If you have a well-justified and reasonable counteroffer, the insurance company might respond more quickly than if the offer was unrealistic.
• Comprehensive Documentation: A claims process with all the necessary documents filled out accurately can speed up the response time.
• Compelling Argument: A logical and strong presentation of your case will make things move faster.

The Role of Your Personal Injury Lawyer

While it might seem like you don’t need to hire an attorney for these claims, there are many ways they can help. An experienced personal injury attorney can boost the likelihood of getting a settlement you’re happy with and in a timely manner. They can impact your negotiation timeline by:

• Effectively communicating with the insurance providers, which sometimes can speed things up;
• Having legal representation can sometimes apply pressure to the insurance companies, making them take the claim more seriously;
• Attorneys have experience handling personal injury claims and dealing with insurance companies, so they can anticipate their tactics and respond effectively;
• Personal injury lawyers can often gather resources you might not otherwise have, which can reduce delays and make the settlement process go smoothly.

Typical Timeframes for a Second Offer

Every case is unique, so how long it will take you to hear back about a second offer will likely differ from another person filing a claim. That’s why it’s important to have a better idea about the timeline for a second offer.

Quick Responses (Days to Weeks)

A quick response time in personal injury cases ranges from a few days to a few weeks. Claims that get a quick response have these qualities:

• There’s clear liability and no question as to who the at-fault party is
• The case is straightforward and has clear evidence to support the claim
• There are minor injuries that are thoroughly documented

Some insurance companies also make an effort to provide a quick resolution when the counteroffer is reasonable.

Average Timeframes (Several Weeks to Months)

The vast majority of people won’t hear back about a second offer with their personal injury claim for several weeks to months because:

• The average response time is three to six weeks after submitting your counteroffer.
• Some insurers like to make significant offers only after reaching maximum medical improvement, usually between three to six months.
• There are usually multiple rounds of negotiations, which can make the payment process last several months.
• If the insurance company is busy with a large workload of claims, then it can take about six to eight weeks to hear about a second offer.

Delays and Potential Roadblocks

Even if you have a personal injury attorney on your side, there can be delays and potential roadblocks. The good news is they can help avoid them. Some roadblocks that can cause you to wait a long time for a response are:

• If the insurer needs more documentation to clarify any issues
• If your claim is approaching the policy limit, they might investigate more
• Cases that require input from medical experts or accident reconstruction can take a lot longer
• Any high-value claims need several levels of approval before you can hear about a second offer
• If any legal issues arise from the accident

What to Do While Waiting for a Settlement Agreement

The time between your counteroffer and hearing about your second offer can be frustrating, but there are things you can do to be productive during this period.

Continue Medical Treatment and Documentation

While you wait to hear about your settlement agreement:

• Attend all your medical appointments and continue treatment
• Keep a log of your medical records, treatments, and how your injury affects your life
• Track all your out-of-pocket medical bills for your personal injury case
• Keep a journal or log of your pain level, limitations, and how the injury is impacting your personal and professional life.

Stay in Communication with Your Attorney

While you’re waiting for your personal injury settlement agreement, you must stay in touch with your personal injury lawyer:

• Give them regular updates about your medical condition and how the injury is affecting your life
• Ask questions about any aspect of the legal process
• Respond to any questions that they might have for you that can help ensure everything in your claim is accurate and moving along.
• Speak with your attorney about the next steps in your personal injury case if there’s a delay or their response doesn’t include a fair settlement.

Secure Expert Legal Representation

Settlement negotiations can take time, and the process can be challenging, especially for people who have suffered emotional and physical injuries from an accident. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is a top Chicago personal injury law firm with a proven track record of winning large settlements in personal injury cases and supporting clients throughout the process.

Our legal team will guide you throughout the process, thoroughly investigate your claims, and build a solid case showcasing the accident’s scope and case-related expenses. No matter how long it takes to receive your settlement offer, we’ll keep you informed every step of the way.

We work on a contingency basis, meaning you won’t owe us any legal fees unless we help you win compensation. Contact us today for your free case evaluation. Call us at (888)-424-5757 or fill out our online form.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.