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Time Frames for Personal Injury Cases

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Time Frames for Personal Injury Cases

Don’t delay discussing your matter with us to find out how to build a winning case.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

You don’t pay us unless we win your case. No Out of pocket expenses required.

Note: Your Privacy is Safe with us. We will never disclose your information to external parties.

Before taking legal action after you’ve been injured, you probably want to know how long your case will take to resolve. Because each case is different, the answer will be different for everyone.

Below you’ll learn about the factors that can affect the time frame for your personal injury cases resolution.

Why do Some Cases Take Longer?

In cases where liability is not being disputed, resolution can be fast, sometimes happening in just a few months or less without a lawsuit being filed. A more complex case can take many years to resolve. If your case takes longer, it’s best to remember that getting a good result is better than getting a fast result that is less than you deserve.

The Impact of Injuries

Unfortunately, after an accident it can take a while for your injuries to become apparent. In fact, doctors often have to wait to offer an opinion about how serious an injury is until your condition has become stable. It can take up to a year for a doctor to determine how your injuries may affect your future health and life.

This is why taking your time is important: once you accept a settlement offer or your case is decided in a trial, the decision is permanent and you cannot be further compensated.

Settlement Discussions

Once your medical records and bills, property repair estimates, and any other important documents have been gathered, your losses will be determined. At this point, your lawyer will send a demand letter to the at-fault person or their insurance company. Often, a settlement is offered at this point and an agreement may be reached. If you don’t accept a settlement, the next step is to file a lawsuit.

Lawsuits

Settlements can be unsuccessful when both sides are in serious disagreement about how much compensation should be offered. At this point, you can file a lawsuit expressing your allegations and the defendant’s part in the accident, and setting out your injuries.

Discovery

The next step is the discovery period, during which lawyers exchange documents (including accident and medical reports, medical bills, insurance policies, etc.) and evidence regarding the facts in the case, witness information, and experts.

During discovery, you’ll also be required to answer the other side’s questions under oath. These questions may be about your injuries, health, education, employment, and other topics. If questions seem irrelevant or problematic, your lawyer will object. You may also have to get a medical examination from an independent doctor during this period.

Motions

Lawyers on either side can file motions before the trial, objecting to specific evidence or requesting that the case be dismissed if there is insufficient evidence to show that the defendant is liable. Sometimes the court’s calendar is quite full, which can delay your trial date for some time.

Mediation and Settlement Conferences

Prior to personal injury cases going to trial, you may experience settlement conferences, mediation or arbitration. During mediation, you will work with a professional mediator who tries to help both parties reach an agreement by discussing the evidence and issues with them. In arbitration, an arbitrator works similarly to a judge and decides on certain issues. Your case may be settled during this process or it may go to trial.

Trial

During a trial, a jury or a judge will determine whether the defendant is liable for the accident and how much you should be compensated for your injuries. Trials can last a few days to multiple weeks or longer and, once a verdict is reached, appeals and motions can still happen. Again, the case can still be settled during trial until it enters final deliberation.

Now that you’ve learned more about time frames for personal injury cases, download our personal injury recovery kit to find out more or book a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer for more information about the legal process.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is a general guideline made available for educational purposes only and is not intended to be used as legal advice for the reader’s specific situation nor in general. By reading our blog and website content, the reader acknowledges the above and understands there is no lawyer-client relationship created between you and Himelfarb Proszanski through this content. To get specific legal advice, we encourage you to book a free consultation with one of our lawyers to clarify the legal aspects of your situation.

Timing is Critical. Help is Free.

Don’t delay discussing your matter with us to find out how to build a winning case.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

You don’t pay us unless we win your case. No Out of pocket expenses required.

Note: Your Privacy is Safe with us. We will never disclose your information to external parties.

Timing is Critical. Help is Free.

Don’t delay discussing your matter with us to find out how to build a winning case.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

You don’t pay us unless we win your case. No Out of pocket expenses required.

Note: Your Privacy is Safe with us. We will never disclose your information to external parties.

OUR CLIENTS

What They Say About Us

Sherene AlySherene Aly
16:02 23 Mar 24
I was very pleased with my decision to retain David and his team for my case. Melissa Gizzo was simply amazing and was able to secure a fair settlement for me.
T TT T
17:46 16 Feb 24
Experienced and excellent law firm. Their lawyers are wonderful, articulate, dilligent, amicable, calm, respectful, responsible, resourceful and have good human and customer relationships Especially DAN HOLLAND 👌 He is an amazing lawyer as regards dealing with any of the Accident case.I was involvedIn an accident in 2019 February. He was God sent as he dutifully and relentlessly worked hard until the case was settled
LizLiz
22:43 18 Jan 24
I highly recommend Dan Holland as a disability lawyer. His commitment to my case made the process seamless. Dan's clear communication and ability to simplify complex legal matters made it easy for me to understand every step. He demonstrated genuine concern for my best interests, making him not only a skilled attorney but also someone easy to talk to.Dan’s support extended beyond legal expertise; he alleviated my stress during the long-term disability case. His calm approach and unhurried demeanour ensured that there was no rush in our collaboration. This, coupled with his dedication, made the entire experience more manageable, fostering confidence in his ability to handle the case with meticulous care.I wholeheartedly endorse Dan for anyone seeking a lawyer who not only gets results but also prioritizes your peace of mind.
Neeshanth SritharanNeeshanth Sritharan
21:49 01 Jan 24
My mom was involved in an accident impacting her daily life and ability to work. Dan Holland has worked with us during the duration of our case and has been helpful in fighting for her and supporting us, and organizing the things we needed. Our family is incredibly grateful of the outcome Dan was able to obtain for us. I would highly recommend him!
Faiza HamidFaiza Hamid
01:26 22 Dec 23
I'm so happy I chose Mena Brar and her team represet us . We could not ask for a better team she is so kind, loyal, and honest. she spoke to me as an equal and made me feel as if my case was definitely important and that I deserved to be fairly compensated. I appreciate you. Did it for me and how this will help me get back on track with my life. keep helping others. You are doing amazing works, Mena Brar. I wish you all the best.
Brenda FurtadoBrenda Furtado
23:38 12 Dec 23
Many thanks to Silene Malhao for settling my husband's TORT claim and to Mena Brar for settling his accident benefits claim. These ladies made themselves available any time we had a question. They were very understanding and compassionate. We were completely taken care of throughout this process. We would definitely recommend this team to friends and family!
ShaunaShauna
15:52 06 Dec 23
We are so happy that we had David and his team represent us. We couldn't have asked for a better team. Not only is David incredibly skilled and experienced, he is kind and compassionate and it is clear how much he cares for his clients. Megan was also absolutely amazing to work with and was always on top of everything and there to answer any questions we had! Thank you!
Andrew CoutoAndrew Couto
23:10 21 Nov 23
I'm so happy I chose David as my lawyer. I spoke to a few lawyers before finding David and I noticed majority of them spoke to me in a way that felt demeaning or that my case wasn't big enough or important enough to take. One phone call with David and my opinion on lawyers changed. He spoke to me as an equal and made me feel as if my case was definitely important and that I deserved to be fairly compensated. The whole process was wonderful. From dealing with David's law clerk Ingrid whom is an amazing and kind woman to his legal assistant Melissa whom is another amazing kind and talented young woman. I was so stressed about this case but from day 1 they helped ease that stress and always answered all my questions promptly and respectfully. I couldn't believe David got me to mediation within 6 months of being cut off my LTD and got me a settlement way beyond my expectations. I can't say enough good things about this law firm but I guarantee you that if you need a lawyer to fight for you David is your guy! . Believe me when I say this is the law firm for anyone dealing with personal injuries especially LTD denial claims. Thank you so much to David, Ingrid and Melissa you truly don't know how much I appreciate all you did for me and how this will help me get back on track with my life. Keep helping others you guys are doing amazing work! I wish you all the best!
Rose RegazziRose Regazzi
21:15 11 Oct 23
I sustained a relatively painful injury, affecting me long term.I wouldn't otherwise had pursued it, as it involved a relatively large corporation, but felt it necessary to do so. However, many lawyers were daunted, with one, who actually referred me to HIMPRO.I was connected with Dan Holland, who reviewed the case, provided with me realistic expectations, sound advice and had a willingness to move forward and represent me.His calm and professional demeanor, brought me to a place of reassurance. His ease in addressing all facets of this process, clearly demonstrated a wealth of experience. There was never any hesitation, when being challenged, and felt my best interest was always in the forefront.This case has since been resolved, to my complete satisfaction.Without reservation, HIMPRO (and Dan Holland, in particular), would be the only firm I would recommend for these type of cases.
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HIMPRO BY HIMELFARB PROSZANSKI LLP

HIMPRO is a leading law firm with full service personal injury and disability insurance lawyers. We have been recognized by Best Lawyers and assigned the highest rating, AV Preeminent, from Martindale-Hubbell. We provide a combined century of trial experience which has led to the successful settlement of over 10,000 cases with combined settlement value in excess of 3/4 billion dollars. Our mission is to win your case. At HIMPRO by Himelfarb Proszanski LLP we build winning cases. That’s the HIMPRO Advantage™.

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Toronto Disability Lawyers
480 University Ave
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Toronto ON
M5G 1V2
(416) 599-8080

Brampton Disability Lawyers
2 County Ct Blvd
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Brampton ON
L6W 3W8
(905) 595-6760

Hamilton Disability Lawyers
1 Hunter St E
Ground Floor
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Kitchener Disability Lawyers
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Kitchener ON
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(519) 772-7659

Oshawa Disability Lawyers
21 Simcoe St S
Oshawa ON
L1H 4G1
(289) 634-5554

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