How long does it take for a Golf Cart Accident Case to Settle?

Golf carts are commonly associated with fun and leisure, though they also have functional uses at places like airports. These vehicles are small, compact, and easy to operate. Plus, you don’t need a license to drive a golf cart, which means just about anyone can use them regardless of their driving record or lack of one. That can spell trouble, as golf carts lack safety mechanisms like doors, bumpers, and air bags. It doesn’t take much to crash or hit someone with these vehicles, and unfortunately, such accidents are very common in California.

If you or a loved one suffered a golf cart accident injury, it’s essential to speak with a lawyer right away. You may already have one at this point, and hopefully, they’re doing all that they can to recover your damages. But no matter where you are in your case, it can be hard to find answers to questions like “How long does it take to get paid on a golf cart injury claim?”

This is a complicated question, as there are many elements that affect the amount of time it will take to recover a client’s damages. The extent of your injuries, the complexity of your accident, and the other side’s willingness to admit liability are just some of the issues that will affect the length of your golf cart injury case. While we can offer general information regarding settlement timelines, you will need to consult a personal injury lawyer for answers that are specific to your own case. Call Normandie Law Firm and schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.

Average length of time to Settle a Golf Cart Accident Case

When clients ask us for an average length of time to settle a golf cart accident claim, we stress the fact that each case is different. Your case has its own set of injuries and personal circumstances, which determine what you will lose from the accident and how those losses affect your life. Thus, it’s impossible to give an average time period that works for every golf cart accident case.

However, we can provide some general timelines based on the average of cases that were resolved by our attorneys. Generally, claims with minor injuries, meaning no permanent damage like disability or job loss, are settled in 3 to 6 months. Serious injury claims, on the other hand, can take up to several years, especially if the case goes to trial. To help you understand why a golf cart injury case may take so long, let’s talk about the process a personal injury claim needs to go through.
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Negotiating a Settlement with the Insurance Company

Though we often refer to lawsuits when talking about accident claims, the compensation process actually begins with the at-fault party’s insurance company. If you’re working with a lawyer, a demand letter will be sent to the insurer to request payment for your bodily injuries, lost wages, emotional distress, and other qualifying losses. It can take several weeks to hear back from an insurance adjuster, who will a) deny your claim; b) agree to pay the requested amount; or c) offer a lower amount than what you asked for.

The vast majority of responses are counteroffers, meaning they will try to get away with paying you as little as possible. This will initiate the negotiation process, in which your attorney and the insurance company will exchange settlement offers back and forth. In some cases, it can take up to a year to negotiate a settlement that’s agreeable to both sides. Your case may be settled faster, but that will largely depend on the insurance company’s response time and their willingness to play fair.

But what happens if you can’t come to an agreement with the insurance company? Or, what if they reject your claim, though you have a clear case for monetary compensation?

Filing a Lawsuit against the Responsible Parties

If your claim is denied without a valid reason or you’re unable to negotiate with the insurance company, the next step is to file a lawsuit. The timing of a lawsuit is important, as you only have two years from the accident date to sue the owner, business, or any other responsible party.

That seems like a lot of time, but keep in mind that you may spend up to a year trying to work out a settlement with the insurance company. Additionally, there is a lot of evidence your lawyer will need to gather before a lawsuit can be filed. This is known as the discovery process, and it usually takes around 6 months to get through the needed procedures. When you look at it that way, 2 years is not much time at all to file a lawsuit with the civil courts.

Once discovery is concluded and the lawsuit is filed, you will need to request a court date. The civil courts are extremely busy in California, and you can expect to wait a year or more to bring your case to trial. However, a trial doesn’t happen for around 95% of all lawsuits, which are typically settled through mediation. This is a last opportunity for both sides to agree on a settlement, and they are generally successful as most people want to avoid the trial process. But if going to court is the only option, it can be a long wait before your trial wraps up and the jury reaches their verdict.

Please be aware that this is a simplistic description of the lawsuit process for a golf cart accident injury. To learn more about your rights and legal options, please give us a call at our office.

What can I do if my Lawyer is taking too long to Settle my Case?

Even with a skilled attorney, it can take many months to recover a fair settlement for a golf cart accident injury. But what if incompetence or lack of commitment by your lawyer is behind why it’s taking so long to settle your case? If you are feeling this way, it’s important to take a deep breath and not react out of anger or frustration. The next step is to give us a call and schedule a free second opinion.

One of our lawyers can sit down with you and go over the work that’s been done on your case. They will give you an honest assessment of your lawyer’s service, including red flags that can end up hurting your case. If, at the end of your consultation, you decide to switch to our law firm, we’ll take care of the transfer process from start to finish.

If you’re ready to schedule a free second opinion, contact our law firm at your earliest convenience.

Speak to a California Golf Cart Accident Lawyer

As golf carts grow in popularity, there’s an inevitable increase in golf cart crashes and other serious accidents. We’ve seen our share of long-term, debilitating injuries from these accidents and know how insurance companies can cheat victims out of the settlement they deserve. Our lawyers are here to ensure that you are properly compensated for your damages.

A guiding principle here at Normandie is that victims should never pay to retain high quality legal representation. That’s why we’ve always offered a Zero fee guarantee, where you pay nothing upfront for our services. In fact, you won’t pay us anything at all, even if we have to take your case to trial. We ask for our legal fees to be paid along with your settlement, so the only way we get paid is if you get paid. And if we don’t win your case, you are not responsible for a single penny of our expenses.

Are you in need of legal advice from an experienced golf cart accident attorney? Are you ready to start an injury claim or continue a lawsuit that was filed with another law firm? Our lawyers are ready to assist you, so please give us a call and schedule a free case evaluation.

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