Some claims resolve in a few months. Others take years. The honest answer depends mostly on your medical treatment and whether the insurance company disputes liability or damages.
Phase one: medical treatment
A case should not be settled until you reach maximum medical improvement, meaning your condition has stabilized and your doctors can describe what future care you will need. Settling before that point means guessing at your own future.
Phase two: demand and negotiation
Once records and bills are gathered, a demand package is submitted. Negotiation commonly takes 30 to 90 days. Many claims resolve here.
Phase three: litigation
If the offer is inadequate, a lawsuit is filed. Written discovery, depositions, and expert disclosure typically take a year or more, and many cases settle at mediation or shortly before trial.
What speeds a case up
- Consistent, well-documented medical treatment
- Clear liability and an available police report
- Prompt responses to your attorney's requests for information
- Realistic expectations about value
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Have questions about how long will my case take? Every case is different, and general information is no substitute for advice about your own situation. Call us or send a short message and we'll review your case at no cost and with no obligation.
This article is general information about Illinois law and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Deadlines and outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case.