The simple answer to this question is that it’s more or less impossible to predict with any degree of certainty. The time it takes for a claim to run from being launched to a successful claimant receiving compensation, is something which is open to influence from a huge range of different factors. As the Motor Insurers Bureau state on their website, a simple claim which is limited to damage of property may be settled as quickly as four to five months, but claims are very rarely quite so simple.
Whilst it may seem obvious who is to blame for a motor accident, there is still a chance that the other party or parties will contest your version of events, in which case a convincing account will need to be constructed with the aid of an experienced personal injury lawyer. Often, when blame is easy to place, cases are settled out-of-court relatively quickly, but if the circumstances of the accident or the extent of any injuries are up for debate, then things can get more complicated.
For this reason, it’s vital to gather up as much information as possible, from the exact circumstances of the accident to the long term effects of any injuries. In terms of expenses, it’s vital to keep receipts for any spending which arises as a direct result of the accident, and any information required to bolster a claim for future loss of earnings, such as wage slips and medical reports.
A professional injury solicitor will be able to take all of this information and knit it together to form a compelling case for compensation to be awarded, and for how much this compensation should be. Having examined the facts of your case, they’ll be able to give you an estimate as to how long it should take, and approximately how much you can expect to be awarded.