Settling a bike accident lawsuit in New York City can be quicker than going to trial, but how much faster? New York City bike accident victims need to know how long it can take to settle a lawsuit and what goes into the expected timeline.
It can take months or years to settle a bike accident lawsuit in New York City. That being said, settling often allows victims to recover compensatory damages sooner than going to trial. This can appeal to bike accident victims, especially since they are likely to sustain serious injuries during a collision. There are many stages in the settlement timeline that can lengthen the entire process. Because of this, it’s important for victims to hire an attorney that knows how to quicken settlement negotiations for the benefit of their clients.
Our attorneys fight for bike accident victims in New York City who need fast access to compensatory damages. For a free case evaluation with the New York City bicycle accident lawyers at The Carrion Law Firm, call us today at (718) 841-0083.
What’s the Average Length of New York City Bike Accident Settlements?
Because there are so many steps within the settlement process, bike accident settlements can take months or years to complete in New York City. That being said, some claims can settle sooner than others. Generally, the length of your New York bike accident settlement will depend on the facts of your specific case.
If there is ample evidence to prove a driver’s negligence in your bike accident lawsuit, you may settle sooner than you expect. The threat of going to trial could be enough to convince a defendant to settle for a substantial sum.
However, if a defendant is stubborn and doesn’t want to give a plaintiff what they’re due, bike accident settlements can take years to complete. Generally, the average length of bike accident settlements in New York City is a several months to a year. Of course, the pace of each settlement will differ depending on the specific case. Sometimes, it can take years to reach a settlement in a bike accident lawsuit.
Our Long Island bicycle accident lawyers will attempt to quicken settlement negotiations by compiling compelling evidence that points to a defendant’s fault. That being said, we won’t advise you to accept a settlement quickly if it’s less than what you deserve.
At the end of the day, even a lengthy bike accident settlement will likely take less time than going to trial. It could be years for your bike accident lawsuit to reach the court docket in New York City. Once it does, it could take years to litigate. Often, it can be in your best interest to settle your bike accident lawsuit out of court so that you get access to compensatory damages sooner.
Timeline for Settling a Bike Accident Suit in New York City
If you know before you file a bike accident lawsuit in New York City that you would prefer to settle out of court, it’s important to know what to expect. Although settling generally allows victims to recover compensatory damages faster than going to trial, the process can still be lengthy. Therefore, it’s vital for victims to understand the general timeline for settling a bike accident suit in New York City.
Filing
Before you and your Bronx bicycle accident lawyer can even seriously consider settling, you must file a lawsuit first. To do so, you have to file your complaint and explain your reasoning for suing a specific defendant. Filing a lawsuit isn’t necessarily time-consuming by itself. However, it’s a vital step to take to settle and recover compensatory damages in the future.
In New York City, bike accident victims generally have three years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. The longer you wait to sue a negligent driver, it can appear that you don’t require substantial compensatory damages. This can lengthen your settlement negotiations in the long run, so quickly filing is important.
Preparation
Preparation is key to settling a lawsuit quickly and successfully. While preparing your case, your Brooklyn bicycle accident lawyer will compile all available evidence pointing to a driver’s negligence. For example, your attorney will gain access to a police report that contains vital details about an accident’s cause. A skilled Buffalo bicycle accident lawyer will also know to interview eyewitnesses and review any available security or traffic camera footage of your bicycle accident. Proper preparation is essential, as settlement negotiations may prove futile without it.
Mediation
When both parties agree to settle a New York City bike accident lawsuit out of court, they may use alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation. Mediation takes time and involves a third party to facilitate negotiations. It’s important to note that mediation is often non-binding, meaning you can walk away if talks aren’t progressing. The good news is that agreeing to enter mediation signals that a plaintiff will likely recover compensatory damages in their New York City bike accident lawsuit. A settlement might be right around the corner.
Negotiations
One of the most time-consuming parts of settling a bike accident lawsuit in New York City is the negotiations process, notably the counteroffers. If a defendant wants to settle the claim right away, they may put forth a settlement offer hoping that a plaintiff will accept it without countering. This is one of the reasons why hiring an experienced Queens bicycle accident lawyer is so important. Your attorney will likely begin to negotiate and put forth a counteroffer that better reflects your needs.
Because injuries in bike accidents can be severe, victims often require substantial compensatory damages. That being said, defendants might be hesitant to comply. Negotiating settlement amounts and receiving counteroffer after counteroffer is par for the course when settling a bike accident lawsuit out of court. It can be months before both sides agree to a settlement amount after negotiating for some time.
Call Our New York City Attorneys Today if You Were Injured in a Bike Accident
If you choose to settle your bike accident lawsuit out of court, you need an experienced New York City bicycle accident lawyer who will advocate for your interests during negotiations. For a free case evaluation with the Manhattan bicycle accident lawyers at The Carrion Law Firm, call us today at (718) 841-0083.