Time it takes for an Insurance Company to Respond to a Demand Letter

Have you been asking yourself, “How long does it take for an insurance company to respond to a demand letter on a car accident case?” If so, you’ve clearly had a car accident and filed an injury claim with the responsible party’s insurer. You’ve sought help from an attorney and they’ve sent a demand letter to the insurance company on your behalf. Alternatively, you’re at the very beginning of the claims process and need information on how long it will take to settle your car accident injury case.

Either way, there is no universal answer to this question, since there are many factors that affect how long it will take an insurance company to address your claim. However, we can provide insight on the average timeline to hear back from an insurance adjuster based on our many years of experience. Additionally, we will advise you on other questions you may have, such as:

• What is the length of time it may take to settle a car accident injury case?
• What can I do if my lawyer isn’t doing anything to settle my case?
• Is it worth it to switch to another lawyer in the middle of an insurance claim?

When you’re in the midst of the car accident insurance claim process, you need a lawyer that will fight diligently for your rights. Our attorneys have the skill and experience to get you results. Contact the lawyers of Normandie and schedule a free case evaluation.

Why have they not Responded back to my Demand Letter?

First, we want to stress that the average insurance company is dealing with a staggering volume of car accident claims. An insurance adjuster can only work through so many claims in one day, so you can expect a wait time of 3 to 6 weeks before you receive a response. Second, the insurance company has a right to conduct their own investigation into your accident. How long this takes depends on the extent of your injuries and the damages you are asking for.

On the other hand, an insurance company has to be transparent about the status of your case. They can’t just hold up the claims process or not get back to you in some way without a good reason. Of course, if you have a lawyer, this is something they should be taking care of. Hopefully, your lawyer has the experience to get things moving on your claim or get answers as to why things are taking so long. Furthermore, a good attorney should have a contingency plan for what to do if the insurer is purposely stalling your case.

If you’re not getting this level of service from your lawyer, you may need to consider other options to ensure a favorable outcome to your case. We will talk about those options in a later section, but for now, you may be interested in learning how long it takes to settle a car accident insurance claim.

How long do Car Accident Claims take to Settle?

If your case is fairly straightforward with no severe injuries or property damage, it will probably take 3 to 6 months to receive your car accident insurance claim settlement. Much of this time has to do with the back and forth process to negotiate a settlement. As a general rule, the insurance company’s first offer will be much lower than what you asked for. Your lawyer will send back a counter offer, which will begin the negotiation process.

There’s no limit to how long this process can take, but you can only negotiate if the other side is acting in good faith. If they’re playing games to delay payment or refusing to meet you in the middle, it may be time to file a lawsuit. Or, if your car accident claim exceeds insurance limits, that would be another reason to proceed with a lawsuit. Accidents resulting in multiple and/or serious injuries usually fall into this category.

Once you’re in the lawsuit phase, it can take up to several years to settle your case. However, a lawsuit may persuade the company to be more reasonable and work towards a fair settlement. But if your case goes to trial, that can add two or more years to a case settlement timeline. The good news is that 95% of cases do not go to trial, and instead, are settled through mediation. However, we want you to be aware of all the possibilities when it comes to your car injury case.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements

Can I Fire my Lawyer if they don’t Respond back to Him?

Technically, you can fire your lawyer at any point during an injury claim or lawsuit. But you should start the process by asking yourself, “What can my lawyer do if we’re not getting a response?” This way, you can get a true sense of whether your lawyer is acting in your best interest.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to force a response out of an insurance company. However, your attorney should be contacting them on a regular basis to learn about the status of your claim. They can also file a complaint with the California Department of Insurance, which is the regulatory agency for insurance companies operating in California. This action alone may get the insurer to take you more seriously and respond back to your demand letter.

Another option is to file a lawsuit, which normally happens if a claim is denied or you can’t negotiate a fair settlement. The problem is, you only have 2 years in California to file a personal injury lawsuit for a car accident. Your lawyer has to make sure that you don’t miss this deadline, or you will most likely forfeit your right to compensation. So if the insurance company is taking too long to respond, it may be best to move forward with a lawsuit.

In essence, there are actions your lawyer can and should be taking when an insurer fails to respond in a timely manner. But what can you do if your lawyer isn’t doing anything to make progress in your case?

Free Second Opinion Consultation

If you’re unhappy with the lack of progress in your case, it’s best to speak with another attorney and get their perspective. After all, changing lawyers with a pending car accident injury case is a big decision. To help you with this dilemma, the lawyers of Normandie would like to invite you to a free second opinion. This consultation is a chance for you to have your case reviewed by one of our attorneys. They will advise you of any red flags regarding your lawyer’s service and advise you on the terms of your contract if you’d like to change lawyers.

If retaining one of our attorneys is in your best interest, we’ll take care of transferring your case to our law firm. But if you decide to stay with your lawyer, the consultation is still free so there is nothing to lose either way. To schedule a free second opinion, please call our office at your earliest convenience.

Speak to a Car Accident Insurance Claim Lawyer

A car accident insurance claim should be simple, but that’s far from the truth as many of our previous clients can tell you. Unfortunately, insurance companies will often drag things out in an effort to avoid paying on a claim. In fact, most cases are not taken seriously unless you have an attorney, especially if you have significant bodily injuries and property damage. However, your situation won’t improve if you’re working with an inexperienced lawyer, or one that doesn’t see your case as a priority.

We have a different philosophy here at Normandie. Our clients are treated like family, meaning we will fight for you as hard as we would fight for our loved ones. Best of all, we offer a Zero fee guarantee for all our clients. That means we will assist you at no upfront cost to ensure that we do not add to your burdens. Our legal fees are factored into your compensation award, so we only get paid when you receive your settlement. The Zero fee guarantee is there for you even if you’re switching over to us from another law firm.

Our lawyers look forward to meeting you and reviewing your case during a free consultation. Please give us a call to learn about your rights and legal options.