Healing from a car crash is hard enough without having to chase down the money you’re owed. But if you’re like most car accident victims in Washington, there’s one question that keeps coming up:
How long does it take to settle a car accident claim?
The answer depends on what happened, how badly you were hurt, and what kind of fight the insurance adjuster wants to put up. Sometimes, the process is quick. Sometimes, it feels like it drags on forever.
The sooner you understand how this timeline works, the better decisions you can make about your care, your finances, and your next move.
Let’s walk through what to expect, step by step.
Step 1: Get Medical Care and Keep Getting It
Before anything else, take care of yourself.
That’s not just good advice—it’s the foundation of your claim. Your medical records show your type of injury, how serious it is, and what you’re doing to recover. Without medical records, your case can’t move forward.
But don’t rush the process. Settling too soon, before you understand the full extent of your injuries, can cost you. Once that agreement is signed, you don’t get a second chance to go back for more.
This phase can take several weeks or longer, depending on your injuries.
Step 2: The Investigation and Documentation Phase
Once you’re stable and your doctor understands your prognosis, it’s time to put the pieces together. This includes:
- The crash report;
- Your complete medical records and bills;
- Pay stubs that show lost income;
- Photos, videos, witness statements; and
- Notes or communication from the insurance company.
This phase generally takes a few weeks, but more complex cases, particularly those involving multiple vehicles, disputed liability, or long-term injuries, may take longer.
Step 3: The Initial Settlement Demand
Once the evidence is in order, your car accident attorney sends a “demand package” to the insurance carrier. The demand lays out what happened, the damages, and how much you’re seeking in compensation.
Under Washington law, insurance companies must investigate and respond to claims within 30 days of receiving a claim, but legal deadlines don’t always prevent delays. Insurers often stall at this stage by requesting additional paperwork or testing the waters with a lowball offer.
Only after they respond does the real negotiation begin.
Step 4: The Negotiation Period
Negotiation is where back-and-forth conversations with the insurer happen, and serious progress can be made.
In some cases, the insurance company responds with a fair offer. But more often, they come in low or begin digging through your medical records, looking for reasons to reduce your claim. They might even request recorded statements they can twist to their advantage.
Our role is to challenge those tactics head-on, responding point by point and keeping pressure on until the insurer offers a fair number.
A straightforward negotiation might resolve a claim in a few weeks. However, if the insurer continues to delay or dispute liability, a more complex negotiation can take months.
Step 5: Filing a Lawsuit (If You Have To)
If the insurer refuses to negotiate in good faith or denies responsibility, your attorney may recommend filing a personal injury lawsuit.
This doesn’t mean your case is going to trial. Most claims settle long before reaching the courtroom. However, once you file a lawsuit, the process follows a more structured legal timeline, with steps like discovery, pre-trial motions, and possible mediation.
It’s also worth noting that you typically have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim.
A court-involved case can take a year or more to fully resolve, depending on the court’s schedule and the case’s complexity.
Step 6: Getting the Money After It’s Settled
Once a number is agreed on and you sign the release form, the insurer cuts the check. That part usually takes two to six weeks, depending on how fast the claim is processed.
But you’re not handed the whole amount up front. Before your money gets to you, the attorney will:
- Resolve any liens (like unpaid medical bills or insurance offsets),
- Deduct case costs and legal fees, and
- Finalize paperwork to close the case.
The remaining settlement money will be sent to you only after your attorney handles those steps. That usually happens within 30 to 60 days from the case’s settlement date.
So, if you’re asking, how long does it take to get settlement money from a car accident, the answer is: a few weeks after the settlement finalizes. But the hard work happens before that point.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident?
There’s no definitive answer. In Washington State, a typical car accident claim generally settles within six months to a year, depending on the severity of the injuries and the insurer’s cooperation.
Some cases move faster, and others take longer, especially those involving permanent injuries, contested liability, or an uncooperative defendant.
No matter how long it takes to settle a car accident claim, the goal stays the same: build a strong case, apply constant pressure, and work relentlessly toward the best resolution.
Signs It’s Time to Call a Washington Car Accident Attorney
If the insurance company keeps giving you excuses.
If your medical bills are stacking up with no resolution in sight.
If you still don’t know what your claim is worth.
That’s the time to get help.
At Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, we’ve advocated for injured Washingtonians since 1977, helping clients recover physically, financially, and emotionally. We understand where claims slow down and know exactly what to do when insurers stall, delay, or ignore the law.
When you’re ready to move your claim forward, we can help you do it.
Still Waiting on a Settlement After Your Car Accident?
Waiting on insurance isn’t just frustrating—it can leave you stuck with bills you should never have to pay. Our team at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner knows how these timelines work and how to keep cases moving in the right direction.
If you were hurt in a Washington State car accident and still aren’t getting clear answers, let’s change that.
Call us today for a free consultation. Let’s talk about where you are in the process, where it may be getting held up, and how to get you closer to the compensation you deserve.
