Why Do Lawyers Work So Slowly?

We all heard the old story that slow and steady wins the race like a marathon runner. Although we never thought of a runner hitting a wall right? Similarly a personal injury case can lose momentum as it nears the finish line leaving many in wonder, why their case is taking so long to settle.

Settlement of a case is not like negotiating for a sofa for a better price. This can stretch weeks but mostly it takes months. Unfortunately, in a few cases, lawyers work slowly because they don’t pay attention to a case. Age-old excuses, like being overworked and understaffed, explain much of this delay. However, they only go so far.

Delay is frustrating for everyone. In most cases, though, delay is a necessary part of the process. Fundamentally, many people question the efforts of a Los Angeles personal injury attorney because they don’t trust the lawyer to do what’s right. Experienced attorneys who are dedicated to the practice of personal injury law almost never let you down.

Ongoing Medical Treatment

After an accident, healing from injuries takes time and sometimes it is difficult to just heal from injuries which are not visible. Before winning a lawsuit, it is crucial to cover the entire range of medical demands because conditions like whiplash and shattered bones often call for extended treatment and specialized treatments. Let’s tear apart this depth.

Whiplash:

• A common head and neck injury after car accidents.
• Early symptoms like soreness and confusion are often mistaken for shock, delaying proper treatment.
• Without prompt care, whiplash can worsen, potentially leading to severe outcomes like paralysis.

Broken Bones:

• Falls often cause severe fractures requiring invasive procedures like metal implants.
• These surgeries can complicate recovery, leading to prolonged physical therapy and permanent issues like frozen shoulder (restricted joint movement).

Future Costs and Compensation:

• Advanced treatments may result in ongoing expenses or future pain and suffering.
• Settlements must account for these to prevent victims from bearing unexpected financial burdens.

Settlement negotiations should only begin once medical treatment is substantially complete. This ensures all future costs and emotional impacts are accurately included, protecting victims from potential financial and emotional strain later on.

Best Evidence Unavailable

In the wake of an injury, only basic evidence, like the police accident report, is usually available. Such evidence may be strong enough to establish a bare-bones negligence claim. Victim/plaintiffs must only establish negligence, or a lack of care, by a preponderance of the evidence, or more likely than not. However, a minimal amount of evidence is usually enough to obtain minimal compensation. Most injury victims aren’t willing to settle for the minimum.

Moreover, bare bones evidence usually isn’t enough to refute some common insurance company defenses, like comparative fault and assumption of the risk. In many cases, these defenses could torpedo damage claims, meaning that the victim filed suit for nothing.

The best evidence, like electronic evidence in a car crash claim, usually surfaces during discovery. This lawsuit stage happens well after a victim/plaintiff files legal paperwork and the insurance company files procedural motions.

Patience usually pays off. Once the best evidence is available, a claim’s settlement value usually increases. Even the most stubborn insurance company lawyers typically face the fact that they cannot win the case, so they’re willing to make a deal.

Time Is On My Side

Late-stage evidence isn’t the only thing that drives up a settlement value. The calendar matters as well. The closer the trial date is, the more motivated an insurance company is to settle.

Additionally, if cases remain unresolved late in the game, most SoCal judges refer such matters to mediation. During mediation, insurance company delay tactics, like low-ball offers, are illegal. Negotiations need both sides to be honest and ready to compromise when needed to settle down quickly.

Since discovery has already occurred and the best evidence is available, the insurance company is usually the party that must compromise the most. In other words, thanks to mediation, victims don’t have to accept a second-rate offer an insurance company made earlier. Once again, patience pays off.Injury victims are usually entitled to significant compensation.

Contact Our Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys Today!

For a free consultation with an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, contact the Law Offices of Eslamboly Hakim. Lawyers can connect victims with doctors, even if they have no insurance or money.