What Is the Timeline for a Car Accident Settlement?

While you can’t control how quickly your insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurance company processes your claim, you can do a few things to help things along.

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ellen P.
3 months ago
Chris Hoffman is an excellent attorney. He is the best above the rest. What makes him different? He communicates promptly - I don't have to leave message after message for him to reach out to me. When I telephone his office, if he doesn't answer the telephone, his assistant does. Chris Hoffman is very attentive and focused. He means business, and he hit the ground running on the cases. I'm so blessed to have him for my attorney.
Charles B.
1 year ago
Best lawyer for car accidents and injury claims. Love this lawyer!
Zach B.
1 year ago
Much better than Morgan & Morgan. It is not the firm. It is the lawyer.
Ashley S.
1 year ago
"Of all the lawyers I have met, this one is a true professional. This attorney goes against the biggest law firms and wins!"
Response from the owner:The compliment is much appreciated. Like every profession, it all starts with training our lawyers to be the best at every aspect of car accident cases. But the foundation of a great case is a great client. Thanks!
james W.
1 year ago
I'd say this lawyer is in the top three of the best you'll ever see. Add this attorney to the interview list if you ever get in an automobile accident. This Law Firm is on another level.
Response from the owner:Much appreciated. Techniques that an attorney or any professional uses are paramount for success. This is part of our lawyers training and preparation. It leads to success. Thank you!
Dean R.
1 year ago
People say this is the best car accident lawyer in St.Louis. Yep! Seeing this attorney in action is incredible.
Response from the owner:Great compliment. We work hard to be the best. Our lawyers also work very hard to help other lawyers in our profession. Not matter what, a cases is only as good as the client is. Thanks!
Domaneshia A S.
1 year ago
Hire them!!!
Response from the owner:Thanks! Referrals and recommendations from prior car accident clients is our #1 source of cases. People who grew to trust us send family and friends.
Benjamin K.
1 year ago
The Hoffman law firm is truly professional. After hiring them I was truly relieved and knew I was in good hands. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Being in good hands is important. Many lawyers take cases with little experience and little resources. Our firm specialized decades ago. We are focused exclusively on accident cases.
dylan F.
1 year ago
Definitely recommend Mr. Hoffmann if you get into a car accident, this lawyer is top shelf.
lori W.
1 year ago
They are the best law firm I have encountered in my lifetime. Great for any accident!
Rachel M.
1 year ago
Great experience with this law firm. Excellent help with the car accident process. Definitely use them again.
Kyle D.
2 years ago
The lawyers on tv just dont compare for auto accident injury cases. Mr.Hoffmann is as good as they get.
Response from the owner:Thank you. The TV attorneys are just settlement mills. People are hiring a paralegal, not a lawyer. Our law firm is different. You are represented by an attorney and we do not have settlement quotas.
Leigha M.
2 years ago
If you have ever watched any lawyers, you will agree this is one of the best automobile accident litigators in Saint Louis County.
Ashley S.
2 years ago
I would describe this lawyer as highly educated, sharp, and top of his game. Explains the car accident process and treatment options well. The lawyer said if they don’t pay you, we will have the jury take it from the insurance company. Great lawyer. Dynamic person.
George K.
2 years ago
Very good car accident lawyer. Gets the job done.
Jessica J.
2 years ago
Interviewed all the TV car accident lawyers and decided to call this law firm that had great reviews. So happy I did. What a difference!
Response from the owner:TV car accident lawyers are just mass production. This is not a good fit for litigated cases. Paralegals instead of lawyers. Monthly quotas for settlements. Car accident victims end up in a cattle call with the lawyers on TV.
Jacob P.
2 years ago
Love my car accident lawyer. This law firm is a step above.
Response from the owner:Our lawyers train and track the best approaches on cases. Whether litigation in cases or the practicalities of certain treatment, the growth of our lawyers over time is paramount. Always staying ahead of and setting practice trends. Thank you.
Ashley S.
2 years ago
Serious family member have a car accident injury? Look no further. This litigator is for real. Always two steps ahead of the other lawyer.
Response from the owner:This is a sad reality for car accident lawyers. The #1 passenger in an auto accident is a relative. Helping a family make it through this and putting the family back together is one of the most rewarding things I do as an automobile accident attorney.
RIcky P.
2 years ago
This lawyer handles really big accident cases in St Louis. He is a lawyer, accountant and has his masters in tax so he gets the injury cases for individuals that can never go back to work or individuals own a business and cannot run it due to injury. He specializes in valuations of massive loss. Thank goodness a firm like this exists.
Response from the owner:Thank you. When accident are severe and you lose the ability to work or to continue a business, having an accounting and tax background is key. Valuing large losses are second nature for us.
Kasandra H.
2 years ago
You are a great lawyer! Thank you.
Response from the owner:That is a great compliment. Thanks.
Brandon W.
2 years ago
Asked a trauma surgeon who operates on car accident victims who are the best injury lawyers that have taken his deposition. He said “by far” it was Mr Hoffmann. Interviewed several attorneys and this was a correct assessment. In a league of his own!
Response from the owner:Our attorney have deposed nearly all the trauma surgeons at every Level 1 Trauma Center in Saint Louis. These doctors save lives after a car accident. Whether controlling bleeding or reestablishing blood flow or bone structures, they are life savers.
Morgan B.
2 years ago
Few lawyers in St. Louis can handle the biggest injury cases! This is one of them!
Response from the owner:Our law firm has made great efforts in terms of training to handle life changing injury cases. Whether in depth knowledge of the medical, loss of income and earning capacity, or lifetime medical care plans, our clients feel confident and know their case is in good hands. Thank you for the compliment.
Ashley A.
2 years ago
Cannot say enough about this lawyer. Call if in an accident. This attorney handles the biggest car accidents in St Louis.
Response from the owner:Thanks Ash! Our biggest source of cases is our clients. Our second biggest referral source is defense lawyers telling their relatives to call us. Few lawyers can handle the largest cases. Our law firm welcomes and has trained for this. We don’t do mass production settlement like the lawyers on TV. Our clients can never go back to work. Their cases need massive focus and effort and often long fought litigation.
Taylor T.
2 years ago
So glad I called attorney Hoffmann. This time I got it right! So glad I hired the Hoffmann Law Firm - professional, reliable and available.
Response from the owner:Thanks Taylor. Our lawyers answer the phone day, night, weekends and even during lunch. Being professional means training to beat the best defense lawyers. Client rely on us to get results and we do.
Malashia M.
2 years ago
Great lawyer. Cares about his clients, knows his stuff and goes the extra mile. I recommend this lawyer for car wreck injury claim. Every other lawyer on TV would not even help with my property claim. This attorney did.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words. Every case starts with a great client. You are correct the car accident lawyers on TV are mass production settlement mills. When injury clients fire them, we get their files and the cases are not worked up at all. Appreciate your confidence in us!

Imagine you’re driving down the highway when another car slams into yours, causing significant damage. You’re shaken up but not seriously injured, and you’re fairly sure the other driver is at fault. What comes next? And is there a timeline you need to be aware of?

After a car accident, one of the first things you should generally do is seek medical attention, even if you don’t think you’re injured. It’s not uncommon for adrenaline to mask pain in the immediate aftermath of an auto accident. As a result, some injuries may not be immediately apparent. Once you’ve seen a doctor, you can generally contact an experienced car accident lawyer and begin the process of filing a car accident claim.

Filing a Car Accident Claim

Most car accident claims in Missouri are filed under the state’s fault-based insurance system. This means that the driver who is found to be at fault for the accident is responsible for paying the resulting damages.

To file a claim, your insurance company will need to be contacted and a report will be filed. Your insurer will then open an investigation and determine whether or not you are eligible for compensation. The entire process can take several weeks or even months to complete.

If you are not happy with the outcome of your insurance claim, you can also file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Because each case is unique, it is highly recommended that you discuss your options with an experienced car accident attorney before speaking with any insurance adjusters.

Is There a Specific Timeline You Need to Follow?

Yes. You have five years from the date of the accident to file a claim. However, it’s in your best interest to file your claim as soon as possible. The sooner you start the claims process, the sooner you’ll be able to get the compensation you need to cover damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and car repairs.

In addition, the sooner you file a claim, the easier it will be to gather evidence to support your case. Memories fade, and witnesses move away, so it’s important to collect statements and other evidence while it’s still fresh.

Is There a Way to Speed up the Claims Process?

The time it takes to settle a car accident claim can vary depending on the severity of the accident and the insurance companies involved. In some cases, the cases may drag on for months or even years.

However, while you can’t control how quickly your insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurance company processes your claim, you can do a few things to help things along.

First, make sure you have all the necessary documentation, including a police report, medical records, and estimates for repairs. The more information you can provide upfront, the easier it will be for your insurer to process your claim.

You should also keep detailed records of any expenses related to the accident, such as medical bills, car repairs, and lost wages. Having this information on hand will make it easier to calculate the damages you are owed.

“Can My Car Accident Attorney Accept a Settlement Without My Consent?”

After you’ve been in a car accident, you want to be confident that your attorney is working hard on your behalf to secure a fair settlement. Therefore, it is important to maintain good communication with your attorney throughout the process.

Your attorney generally cannot settle your case without your expressed permission.

St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers

Filing a car accident claim can be complicated and stressful. However, working with an experienced attorney can make the process much easier. At The Hoffman Law Firm, we have over 25 years of experience helping our clients get the compensation they deserve after an auto accident. We can handle the paperwork and negotiations with the insurance company so you can focus on your recovery. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Free Consultation with a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before speaking with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We can help you avoid making statements that may affect the outcome of your case. The consultation is free; you don’t pay unless we get you money!