A car accident settlement in Missouri typically takes anywhere from a few months to over a year, depending on the complexity of the case and whether a lawsuit is necessary. While some claims are resolved quickly, others involve extended medical treatment, insurance disputes, or litigation that can add significant time to the process.
Understanding how long a settlement takes helps injured drivers and passengers manage expectations and make informed decisions early on. If you’ve been hurt in a crash, speaking with a Kansas City car accident lawyer can help you avoid unnecessary delays and navigate the process with clarity.
At Foster Wallace, We Move Cases Forward While You Focus on Healing
At Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, we represent car accident victims throughout the Kansas City area and across Missouri. One of the most common questions we hear is: how long is this going to take? The answer depends on many factors, but our goal is always the same—to move your case forward as efficiently as possible while protecting your right to full compensation.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect.
1. Medical Treatment and Recovery
Your medical recovery often drives the pace of your case. Until your condition stabilizes or you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), it’s too early to accurately calculate the long-term costs of your injuries.
This phase can take:
- A few weeks for minor injuries
- Several months or longer for more serious or complex medical conditions
We stay in close contact with your medical providers and help track the full scope of your treatment, including future care needs if applicable.
2. Investigation and Evidence Gathering
While you focus on recovery, we begin building your case. This includes:
- Reviewing the police report and crash scene documentation
- Interviewing witnesses
- Gathering medical records, bills, and proof of lost income
- Identifying all applicable insurance coverage
- Preserving photo or video evidence
This documentation is essential for establishing fault and proving damages. The stronger your evidence, the smoother the negotiation process tends to be.
3. Demand Letter and Insurance Negotiation
Once treatment is complete or your condition is stable, we prepare a demand letter outlining your damages. This includes:
- A summary of the crash and who was at fault
- A full record of your medical care
- Lost income or reduced earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional impact
The insurance company usually takes 30 to 60 days to respond. If liability is clear and your injuries are well-documented, negotiations may move quickly. But if they challenge fault or undervalue your injuries, additional rounds of negotiation may follow.
4. Filing a Lawsuit (If Needed)
Most cases settle without going to court, but some require litigation. This adds time to the process, but may be necessary if:
- The insurer refuses to make a fair offer
- There are disputes about who caused the accident
- Your injuries involve long-term or permanent disability
Even after a lawsuit is filed, the majority of cases still settle before trial. However, filing suit may add several months to a year or more, depending on how quickly the court schedules move.
5. Settlement and Payout
Once a settlement is reached, we help finalize the paperwork and process the payout. This typically takes 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the insurer’s processing time and whether any medical liens need to be resolved.
We ensure that all outstanding medical bills and legal costs are paid and that you receive a full breakdown of your compensation.
What Factors Influence the Timeline?
Every case is unique, but some of the most common factors that affect how long a car accident settlement takes include:
- Severity of injuries: More serious injuries usually require longer treatment and a more complex calculation of damages
- Medical uncertainty: If future surgeries or care are needed, we wait until those costs can be included in the claim
- Disputed liability: If fault is unclear, investigation and negotiations often take longer
- Multiple parties: Cases involving more than one at-fault driver or commercial vehicles may require more time to coordinate
- Insurance tactics: Some insurers deliberately delay to pressure victims into accepting less than they deserve
At Foster Wallace, we work hard to avoid unnecessary delays and move each case forward without sacrificing results. Our attorneys maintain regular contact with clients and keep you updated every step of the way.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
Should You Wait to File a Claim?
Missouri law gives you five years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. But that does not mean you should wait.
Insurance claims should be filed promptly, and the sooner you involve an attorney, the stronger your case will be. Early involvement allows us to:
- Preserve time-sensitive evidence
- Prevent communication mistakes with insurers
- Monitor your medical care for proper documentation
- Avoid missing deadlines or overlooking key damages
As your Kansas City car accident lawyers, we help protect your legal rights from day one and ensure you stay ahead of the process—not behind it.
Get Clarity on Your Case Timeline Today
So, how long does a car accident settlement take? It depends on your injuries, the complexity of your case, and how the insurance company responds. Some claims settle in a few months. Others may take a year or longer. But with the right legal guidance, you can avoid delays and focus on recovery while we handle the rest.
At Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve recovered over $1 billion for clients and have more than 45 years of combined experience navigating Missouri car accident cases. We’ll give you a clear path forward, keep your case moving, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Call today to schedule a free consultation with a trusted Kansas City car accident lawyer who can answer your questions and get your case on track.
