Car accident settlements take longer because insurers delay negotiations, dispute fault, or wait until you reach maximum medical improvement. Ongoing treatment, missing medical records, multiple insurance policies, or serious injuries also extend timelines. Settling too early can reduce compensation, so delays are often necessary to fully document damages and protect your case’s value.
Waiting on a car accident settlement in Las Vegas can feel exhausting, especially when medical bills and lost income keep piling up. Many people expect the process to move quickly, only to find weeks or months passing with no resolution. Ongoing medical treatment, unanswered calls from insurers, and uncertainty about fault can make the delay even more stressful. Victims often worry that something is wrong with their case or that they are being ignored. The lack of clear answers adds frustration at a time when financial stability matters most.
The reality is that insurance companies often slow the process on purpose. They may dispute liability, question medical treatment, or drag out negotiations to pressure you into accepting less than your case is worth. Settling too early, before treatment is complete, can permanently reduce your compensation. At the same time, complex cases with serious injuries or multiple parties simply take longer to evaluate properly.
In this article, you will discover why car accident settlements take so long, what factors commonly cause delays, and how a car crash lawyer can help move your case forward while protecting the full value of your claim.
How Long Do Car Accident Settlements Take in Nevada?
Most people want to know exactly how long their settlement will take, but the timeline depends on several factors specific to your case.
Simple cases involving minor injuries and clear fault often resolve more quickly than complex claims. These involve straightforward medical treatment and insurance companies that don’t dispute who caused the accident.
Moderate injury cases often take several months to resolve, depending on the extent of treatment and the complexity of negotiations. These cases involve more serious injuries requiring extended treatment, physical therapy, or specialist care.
Complex cases involving severe injuries, disputed liability, or the need for a lawsuit can take one to two years or longer. Nevada’s two-year statute of limitations gives us time to properly develop your case without rushing into a bad settlement.
Why Your Settlement Is Taking So Long
Several specific factors can slow down your settlement, and understanding these helps you know what to expect as we work toward your compensation.
Ongoing Treatment and Maximum Medical Improvement
Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) is the point where your condition has stabilized and doctors can predict your future medical needs. We cannot settle your case until you reach MMI because settling too early risks leaving money on the table.
For example, a herniated disc might seem stable but could require surgery months later. Traumatic brain injury symptoms can evolve over time, affecting your ability to work or enjoy life.
We work closely with your doctors to track your progress and time settlement negotiations perfectly. This ensures we capture all your current and future medical costs in your settlement demand.
Disputes over Fault under Nevada’s Comparative Negligence
Nevada uses a modified comparative fault rule, which means your compensation gets reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing.
Insurance companies exploit this rule by claiming you were speeding, texting, or failed to brake properly. They do this even when evidence clearly shows the other driver caused the accident.
As former insurance defense attorneys, we know exactly how insurers build these arguments. We gather evidence early to minimize any fault attributed to you and protect your full compensation.
Insurance Company Delays and How We Push Back
Insurance companies are businesses focused on profits, and delaying your claim is a common tactic to pressure you into accepting less money.
We see these delay tactics regularly:
- Repeated document requests: Asking for the same medical records multiple times.
- Slow investigations: Taking months to review clear liability cases.
- Lowball initial offers: Hoping financial pressure forces you to accept inadequate compensation.
- Communication blackouts: Ignoring our calls and demand letters.
Our aggressive approach combats these tactics through documented demand letters, bad faith claims, and litigation threats when necessary.
Medical Records and Billing Delays
Building your claim requires collecting extensive documentation from multiple medical providers. Hospital records, specialist reports, diagnostic imaging, therapy notes, and billing statements all must be gathered and organized.
Each provider has different processing times, with some taking 30 to 60 days to release records. We handle all record requests and follow-ups, using our relationships with Las Vegas medical facilities to expedite the process whenever possible.
Multiple Insurance Policies and Coverage Layers
Your case becomes more complex when multiple parties or insurance policies are involved. Multi-vehicle accidents, commercial vehicles, or inadequate insurance coverage can create multiple layers of claims.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is additional insurance you carry to protect yourself when the at-fault driver has insufficient coverage. We might pursue the at-fault driver’s policy, your UM/UIM coverage, employer liability, or multiple policies simultaneously.
Each insurance company requires separate negotiations, which can extend your timeline but often increases your total recovery.
Expert Witnesses and Case Investigation
Serious injury cases or disputed liability often require expert witnesses to strengthen your claim. Accident reconstruction experts analyze how the crash occurred, while medical experts explain your injuries and future needs.
Life care planners calculate the cost of your future medical treatment, surgeries, and assistive devices. Economic experts determine your lost earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job.
These expert reports take time to prepare but provide crucial evidence that justifies maximum compensation for your injuries.
Settlement Negotiations and Counteroffers
The negotiation process involves strategic back-and-forth communications between our firm and the insurance company. We submit a detailed demand letter outlining your injuries, treatment, and damages.
The insurer responds with an initial offer, which is typically far below what you deserve. We counter with evidence supporting our demand, and this process continues until we reach a fair settlement.
Each negotiation round can take several weeks as insurance adjusters seek approval for higher settlement amounts from their supervisors.
Litigation Timelines and Court Schedules
If the insurance company refuses to make a reasonable offer, filing a lawsuit becomes necessary. While this extends your timeline, it often motivates serious negotiations and better settlement offers.
The litigation process includes filing the complaint, written discovery requests, depositions, and potential trial preparation. Las Vegas courts sometimes experience scheduling delays that can prolong the time before a case goes to trial.
Most cases settle during litigation when insurance companies face the real possibility of a jury trial and potentially larger verdict.
High-Value Claims Require Extra Scrutiny
Insurance companies examine large claims more carefully because they represent significant financial exposure. Insurers may subject higher-value claims to additional adjuster reviews and corporate committee approval.
Catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases undergo intense scrutiny, with insurers hiring their own experts to challenge your medical treatment and damage calculations. We’ve secured numerous seven-figure settlements by building cases that withstand this examination.
Medical Liens and Subrogation Issues
Before you receive your settlement check, we must resolve all liens and subrogation claims. A lien is a legal right for medical providers or insurance companies to be repaid from your settlement.
Common lienholders include hospitals, health insurance companies, Medicare/Medicaid, and medical funding companies. We negotiate these liens down to maximize the money you keep from your settlement.
Resolving these liens can require additional time, but the negotiation often helps you keep more of your recovery.
What You Can Do to Move Your Case Forward
While we handle the legal complexities, you can take specific steps to protect your case value and avoid delays.
You must attend all medical appointments because gaps in treatment give insurance companies ammunition to argue your injuries aren’t serious. Follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations completely to show you’re committed to recovery.
Document everything related to your accident and injuries. Keep receipts for medical expenses, transportation costs, and other accident-related expenses. Maintain a daily journal documenting your pain levels, limitations, and how injuries affect your daily activities.
Avoid social media posts about your accident, injuries, or activities. Insurance companies monitor social media for photos or statements that contradict your injury claims.
Let us handle all communications with insurance companies. Forward any calls, letters, or requests directly to our office without responding. One wrong statement can damage your claim significantly.
When Filing a Lawsuit Makes Sense in Nevada
Most car accident cases settle without filing a lawsuit, but sometimes litigation becomes necessary to secure fair compensation.
We recommend filing suit when the insurance company denies liability despite clear evidence, makes unreasonably low settlement offers, or engages in bad faith tactics. Approaching the two-year statute of limitations deadline also requires immediate legal action.
| Settlement Negotiations | Filing a Lawsuit |
| 3-12 month timeline | 12-24+ month timeline |
| Lower legal costs | Higher costs (we advance all expenses) |
| Less stressful process | More intensive discovery process |
| Private negotiations | Public court record |
| Best for clear liability cases | Necessary for disputed or high-value claims |
Filing suit often motivates better settlement offers because insurance companies face the uncertainty and expense of trial.
How Ladah Moves Your Case Forward and Fights Delays
Our firm is specifically designed to overcome insurance company delay tactics and move your case toward resolution.
Our background as former insurance defense attorneys gives us insider knowledge of how insurance companies handle claims. We know their strategies and use this knowledge to counter their tactics effectively.
We provide 24/7 client support so you’re never left wondering about your case status. Our team maintains regular communication about your case progress and any developments.
We’ve built strong relationships with Las Vegas medical providers to help expedite medical record requests. Our reputation for taking cases to trial, including our $15 million verdict, motivates insurance companies to negotiate fairly rather than face us in court.
Get Legal Help Today
Waiting for your settlement is stressful, especially when you’re dealing with injuries and mounting bills. You don’t have to navigate this complex process alone.
At Ladah Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Las Vegas, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. We offer free consultations to evaluate your claim and explain your options.
Contact us today to start building your case. The sooner we begin working on your claim, the sooner we can fight for the resolution and compensation you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Should an Insurance Company Take to Settle a Claim?
Nevada law requires insurers to acknowledge claims within 20 days and make coverage decisions within 30 days of receiving proof of loss, though complex cases often extend beyond these basic requirements.
Can You Sue an Insurance Company for Taking Too Long in Nevada?
Yes, Nevada’s Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act allows you to file bad faith lawsuits against insurers who unreasonably delay or deny valid claims without proper investigation.
Why Is My Lawyer Taking So Long to Settle My Case?
Most delays stem from medical treatment timelines, insurance company tactics, or court schedules rather than attorney inaction, which is why we maintain regular communication about your case progress.
How Long Can a Lawyer Hold Your Settlement Check?
Attorneys must distribute settlement funds promptly after resolving all medical liens and allowing checks to clear, typically within 2 to 3 weeks of receiving payment from the insurance company.
Should I Settle Before Reaching Maximum Medical Improvement?
Settling before MMI risks missing compensation for future medical needs, though severe financial hardship sometimes necessitates earlier resolution after careful evaluation of your situation.