One of the most common—and most difficult—questions we hear from clients is: “How long will my personal injury case take to resolve?” At Goldstein & Handwerker, we understand this concern. Unfortunately, there's no one-size-fits-all answer, because every case is different.

Why Is There No Clear Timeline?

No two personal injury cases are exactly alike. Even if two people are injured in the same type of accident, factors like the severity of injuries, the amount of available insurance, and how the case is handled by the insurance company will vary. Some cases can resolve in 8 to 12 months, while others may take two to five years—or more.

Fast-Track Cases

Cases with clear liability, significant injuries, and low insurance limits often resolve the quickest. For example, if you're rear-ended, the other driver is clearly at fault, and there's only $25,000 in available insurance coverage, a settlement may happen quickly—because both sides know what the limits are.

Why Do Some Cases Take Years?

If your case cannot be settled before a lawsuit is filed, it enters a much longer legal process. Once in litigation, the insurance company hires defense attorneys, who will scrutinize your entire history—from your medical records to your credibility. The court process includes discovery, depositions, and hearings, all of which are often spaced out over months due to court backlogs.

What You Can Do to Help

While your attorney works to resolve your case, you can help by:

• Promptly providing medical history and updates
  
  

• Informing your lawyer of any new doctors or treatments
  
  

• Keeping your contact information up to date
  
  

• Being transparent about past injuries or claims
  
  

Trust the Process

At Goldstein & Handwerker, we want to resolve your case as quickly as possible—but not at the expense of achieving the best outcome for you. Delays are often due to factors beyond anyone's control, not a lack of effort.

If you have questions about your case's timeline, we're here to talk. Call us or visit www.ghawnyj.com to learn more.