If you’ve suffered a serious injury as a pedestrian, you’re likely experiencing physical, emotional, and financial hardships you never imagined. In addition to costly medical bills, you may face lost income at work or even permanent disability.

The good news is that a pedestrian injury claim may help you recover some of your expenses. Unfortunately, you may have to wait months or years for compensation. This post addresses common questions about Texas pedestrian injury cases, including “How long does it take to settle a pedestrian accident?”

5 Factors Affecting How Long It Takes To Settle a Pedestrian Accident Case

No one can predict how long it will take to resolve a personal injury claim. Simple cases may wrap up in a few months, while complicated cases can take several years to resolve. However, the following factors influence how long it takes to settle a pedestrian accident case.

1. The Severity of Your Injury

It is more difficult to estimate the value of your case until your condition stabilizes. Many attorneys suggest you wait until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) to file a claim. Only then will you know whether you’ll need further treatment, if and when you can return to work, and how the injury has affected your life. The more severe your injury, the longer this may take.

2. The Nature of the Evidence

All successful legal claims rely on strong evidence to support them. The more evidence you have in your favor, the easier it is to prove your claim. Evidence in pedestrian accident cases often includes the following:

Medical bills and records
Employment information
Witness statements
Photos and videos of the accident scene
Surveillance footage of the car accident or the events preceding it

Although your claim may move faster if you have plenty of convincing proof, complex cases with complicated evidence may take longer to investigate and analyze.

3. Insurance Negotiations

When asking, “How long does it take to settle a pedestrian accident?” consider that interactions between the parties involved in an accident often entail several rounds of negotiation. Your attorney will write a demand letter to the insurance company requesting compensation. They may deny your claim outright or ask for more time or information. In some cases, they could delay the case intentionally.

When the insurance company makes a settlement offer, it may be much lower than you think is fair. Your lawyer will likely make a counteroffer. This back-and-forth can drag out the process further.

4. The Legal Process

One of the biggest factors in how long it takes to settle a pedestrian accident case is whether your claim goes to trial. Most personal injury claims are resolved before seeing the inside of a courtroom. If the insurance company refuses to negotiate further or denies your claim outright, you may have to file a lawsuit. This may extend the timeline for months or years.

5. Post-Settlement Medical Bills

Even if you reach a settlement agreement, you may not see the full amount or receive anything immediately. That’s because medical providers can often legally demand repayment for services related to your injury. If they agreed to deferred payment or have a lien on your claim, you may have to pay those bills before accessing your remaining settlement amount.

Need Help After a Texas Pedestrian Accident?

Now that you know the answer to “How long does it take to settle a pedestrian accident?” you may be interested in filing a claim. The legal team at The Dow Law Firm can help. Call us at (512) 240-9951 or contact us online to schedule a case evaluation.

How Long Does It Take To Settle a Pedestrian Accident in Texas