Being in an accident is traumatizing, and you need to get through your court case as soon as possible so that you can put the whole terrible event behind you. You may also be waiting for compensation to help you cover your medical needs or to repair your vehicle. While most people want to settle their court case quickly, it is common for them to experience serious delays. Knowing about these four things that could unnecessarily lengthen your court case allows you to do your part to avoid having them happen to you.
Gathering the Essential Information
Filing an accident claim requires you to submit a great deal of information that can quickly add up if you had a severe accident. The court will generally not want to proceed with a decision until they’ve seen every aspect of the case. You will need things such as witness statements, medical records, and the police report to be ready to submit. If anything is left out, then your hearing may be delayed until it is submitted.
Challenges with Proving Who Is at Fault
Your court case may also be prolonged if there is a dispute about who was at fault. Insurance companies sometimes try to prove that both parties were at fault within a specific percentage that allows them to avoid having to pay a full settlement amount. The other party may also argue that they did nothing wrong. When this happens, working with an experienced firm such as Malin & Kutinsky Law, can make it clear to the other parties involved that you are not going to settle for admitting fault when you did nothing wrong.
Delays from Within the Court System
There are times when the court creates a delay. This could happen if the system gets backed up with other cases or if someone who is involved with yours requests a delay. You can do your part to avoid this by making sure to stay on top of all communication that comes from the court or from the other party.
Issues with the Insurance Companies Involved
Insurance companies often try to settle fast before you know the full extent of your injuries, and this is usually done to try to avoid going to court. Once the companies know that you want to file a legal claim, they may start dragging their feet. By law, insurance companies can only delay for a specific amount of time before they are out of compliance. Your lawyer can help you know your rights and stand up to any shady practices that you encounter from insurance companies.
An expedient court hearing is important for helping you to heal and move on. While you might not be able to stop the court from resetting the date of your hearing, you can make sure that your lawyers and the judge all have the information that they need to make an informed decision. Being proactive helps you speed up the court case and receive the results you need.
Author information: Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan
