Why Is My Car Accident Settlement Taking So Long?

If you’ve been injured in an automobile accident, you know that the stress that results from injuries and complicated insurance claims can feel overwhelming. If you’re asking yourself, “Why is my car accident settlement taking so long,” you’re not alone—especially when bills pile up and what you are really wishing for is closure. The hard truth is this: most settlements take months, and serious-injury cases can take a year or more. 

Keep reading for a breakdown of what could be happening behind the scenes and what (if anything) you can do to move things forward.

How Long Does It Take for Car Accident Settlement Resolution?

There’s no single timeline, because many factors can come into play. However, most cases tend to follow these predictable patterns: 

• Minor injuries with clear fault often resolve within 3–6 months once treatment and records are complete. 
• More serious injuries typically take 6–18 months, especially if medical care is ongoing or future treatment is possible. 
• If a lawsuit is filed, cases often last a year or more, and complex cases can take 2–3 years. That’s because trials are usually scheduled a year after a suit is filed.

Doctors usually need about six months after a serious injury to understand long-term effects, so settling too early often means settling for less than the case is worth. Knowing the stages of a car accident claim can help you better understand what may feel like endless delays.

The Stages of a Car Accident Claim

Nearly every car accident claim follows the same progression: medical treatment comes first, then records and bills are gathered, a demand package is sent to the insurance company, and negotiations begin. If those talks break down, a lawsuit may be necessary. 

The slowest part of the process is often collecting medical documentation, which can take months. Delays aren’t always a sign that something is wrong, but a necessary step in building a claim that reflects the full impact of your injuries.

The Reasons Behind the Question: Why Is My Car Accident Settlement Taking So Long?

Insurance companies rarely explain why a claim is taking so long to process. That’s why an auto accident lawyer can be a helpful ally. Below are the most common reasons car accident settlements stall—and which delays are protecting your case, versus which ones may need to be challenged.

1) You’re still in medical treatment: If you’re seeing specialists, doing physical therapy, or waiting to learn whether surgery is needed, the insurance company will claim they can’t properly value your case yet. While the delay is frustrating, it can be beneficial because it keeps you from settling before the full impact of your injuries is known.

2) Medical records and bills are delayed: Many hospitals and providers take weeks—or even months—to send complete records and itemized bills. If anything is missing, settlement talks usually stall.

3) Liability is being challenged: If the insurance company questions who caused the accident, delays are common. This matters more in places like Maryland, Virginia, and DC because of strict contributory negligence rules. If insurance companies can prove you were even partly at fault, they may not have to pay you at all.

4) The insurer is dragging its feet: Sometimes delays are intentional. Adjusters may request repeated reviews, offer low settlements, or go quiet—hoping financial pressure pushes you to settle for less.

5) More than one insurance policy is involved: Claims involving multiple vehicles, commercial policies, or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage often take longer because more adjusters and approvals are required. Waiting can be frustrating, but it doesn’t mean you’re powerless. There are practical steps you can take now to keep your case on track.

What You Can Do to Speed Things Up (Without Hurting Your Case)

Some waiting is unavoidable, but there are smart ways to keep your case moving:

• Stick to your treatment plan—gaps in care give insurers an excuse to delay or lowball.
  
• Stay organized with your medical and work paperwork.
  
• Don’t wait to document lost income; get pay records and work notes early.
  
• Ask your insurance company for clarity: “Is the holdup medical records, bills, or negotiations?”

If you’ve done your part—followed treatment, gathered records, and waited patiently—and the insurer still won’t act, the delay may no longer be reasonable. That’s when filing a lawsuit can shift the balance and force real movement in your case.

When to Consider Filing Suit

Sometimes the only way to stop the delays is to file a lawsuit. This often makes sense when the insurance company keeps dragging its feet, questions fault, undervalues a serious injury, or when time is running out to file.

As an auto accident lawyer, I prefer a practical approach: if I think an insurer is going to play games, I don’t wait around to file suit. Filing puts the case into a structured legal process with deadlines everyone has to follow. While lawsuits can take a year or more to reach trial, many cases resolve sooner once the pressure is on.

Car Accident Settlement FAQs

When Waiting Turns Into Worry, Get Answers

It’s normal for car accident cases to take time—but it’s not normal to feel ignored or confused. If your claim in Maryland, Washington, DC, or Northern Virginia feels like it’s going nowhere, a Northern Virginia auto accident lawyer can help you understand what’s happening and what a realistic timeline looks like.

The lawyers at Gammon & Grange genuinely care about getting you clear answers. Your consultation is free, and there’s no obligation—just straightforward guidance so you know where you stand.

This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and deadlines vary by jurisdiction and facts—talk with a licensed attorney in your state about your specific situation.