How long?

[kira000]

Just wondered if anyone had any thought on how long it might take to get the personal injury part of my car accident claim settled.

After 5 months, the 3rd party have now accepted full liability for the accident via my insurer.

My solicitor has made them an offer for them to settle out of court for my injury with all the breakdown and medical report, and is waiting for a response.

Given the 3rd party (its a commercial company not an individual) have now accepted liability, what are the chances they will draw it out, or is it likely to be resolved reasonaly quickly. Whats the norm?

[sara3]

I had a car accident, they admitted liability straight away....

4 years to settle :o/

best of luck x

[kira000]

Thanks Sara.

4 years!! Wow. Got there in the end though, i hope it was worth the wait.

I'm hoping that as its not a huge amount, and its a company not an individual, that it wont take as long as yours did!!

[sara3]

I had legal cover with my car insurance, and they were very slow and not too smart.. and I was stuck with them!

hopefully yours will be much better :o)

[kira000]

Mine is being done through my legal cover too.. They have been quite good.

The guy seems to be OK, and gets things done, although not too quick to keep me updated and not the most exciting person to speak to.

But if he gets results, then who am i to argue!

[paraffin]

Hi kira:

There's no hard and fast rules with this, unfortunately. The other party will drag it out as long as possible. Someone once deliberately rammed my car with a transit van several times, one after another, I sustained injuries, the car was almost written off, the offender was arrested and subsequently imprisoned for nearly 4 years, and yet it still took a few years for me to receive anything.

You'll have to keep on at your reps, even at the risk of being a bit of a nuisance, and it should at least speed it along.

Good luck. Hope you haven't much longer to wait.

[gouldc]

Paraffin has is spot on. However, if medical reports have been submitted, and your solicitor has put in what is called a Part 36 offer, then it should just be a case of battering out a response.

As a general rule, our personal injury department is understaffed and there is a backlog of about a month to deal with post. Most other insurers are the same (if not worse).

As your case appears to be straight forward, I would expect it to be sorted this year, The insurer will normally review the offer in conjunction with the medical evidence and the various guidelines we have in regards to maximum and minimum settlement figures, and either agree your solicitors figures, or try to negotiate.

I'd suspect it shouldn't take 4 years!

[kira000]

Thanks for the answers guys and lasses.

Very useful. I'll just keep my fingers crossed that it gets sorted soon!

K