What Our Skilled Plano Catastrophic Personal Injury Lawyers Want You to Know About Settlement Timelines
Another specialist appointment. Another round of therapy. Another stack of medical bills. As you progress along the challenging road to recovery after a catastrophic accident, time seems to move painfully slow. The insurance adjuster's calls are becoming more frequent, pressing you to accept their offer even though you're not sure if you'll need additional surgeries or face future complications.
Our team at Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group understands your frustration. Catastrophic injury claims take time to resolve properly—usually two to three years in most cases. But rushing to settle could jeopardize your future financial security. Let us explain what to expect throughout this process.
Initial Medical Treatment and Assessment Phase
The first crucial phase in your Texas car or truck accident case begins immediately after the incident and typically lasts three to six months. During this time, you'll receive emergency care and start working with specialists to understand the full scope of your condition. This phase is critical because:
- Your doctors need time to determine if injuries are permanent.
- Treatment plans and rehabilitation goals must be established.
- Complications or secondary conditions may develop.
- Future surgical needs should be identified.
- Long-term disabilities must be documented.
Your health is your first priority. However, we advise you to reach out to our Plano or Houston office as soon as possible for a free consultation about your claim.
Each state has a different deadline, known as a statute of limitations, by which you must file a personal injury claim. For example, in Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas, it’s two years from the date of the accident, but in Missouri, it’s five years.
But you don't want to wait. Allowing us to get started on your case right away is one of the most critical steps you can take after suffering a catastrophic injury.
Investigation and Evidence Gathering
While you focus on recovery, our legal team launches a thorough investigation that often takes two-to-four months. We take over many aspects of this process, such as:
- Obtaining police reports and witness statements
- Gathering medical records and bills
- Documenting the accident scene
- Reviewing surveillance footage
- Interviewing eyewitnesses and potential expert witnesses
- Collecting employment and wage information
This process needs to be thorough so we can prove causation and the other party’s negligence beyond a doubt.
Achieving Maximum Medical Improvement Is Essential
Before considering settlement negotiations, you must reach maximum medical improvement (MMI)—the point where your condition has stabilized. This can take up to 18 months depending on:
- The severity of your injuries.
- Your response to the assigned treatment protocol.
- Rehabilitation progress.
- The development of complications.
- The need for additional surgeries.
At Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group, we stay in close contact with your health care providers about your recovery. We wait until they determine MMI before evaluating all your economic and non-economic losses. This ensures your potential settlement results account not only for your immediate needs but for future financial stability as well.
Establishing Your Case Value
Once MMI is reached, we spend another two or three months calculating your complete damages, which often include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and benefits
- Diminished earning capacity
- Home modifications
- Ongoing care needs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
This is a methodical process, as we’ll ensure there’s comprehensive evidence to back up all the numbers. We don’t want to give insurers any leeway to deny your claim or further complicate your catastrophic injury settlement timeline.
The Settlement Negotiation Stage
Initial negotiations typically last three-to-six months as we:
- Present a detailed demand package.
- Counter lowball offers.
- Address liability disputes.
- Work with insurance adjusters.
- Consult additional experts if needed.
As former insurance company defense attorneys, our experienced legal professionals know exactly how insurers evaluate catastrophic injury claims as they attempt to minimize your compensation. Not only can we anticipate their tactics, but we also won’t hesitate to take your case to court if negotiations stall.
Your Financial Security Is Worth The Wait—We’ll Help You Every Step of the Way
Every week that passes without a settlement can feel like an eternity when medical bills are mounting and you’ve maybe lost the ability to support yourself and your family.
But remember—catastrophic injuries often have lifelong implications that aren't immediately apparent. At Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group, we've seen how rushing to settle can leave people struggling unnecessarily. While the settlement timeline for most catastrophic injury cases is 18–36 months, we focus on pursuing fair compensation rather than accepting an inadequate offer. Moving too quickly could mean:
- Underestimating future medical needs.
- Overlooking potential complications.
- Missing hidden damages.
- Losing the right to future claims.
We understand the challenges you're facing—and we know the clock is ticking. Let our skilled legal team protect your interests throughout this complex process.
