How Long Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Take?

The honest answer: it depends. But data from large-scale studies can give you a realistic picture.

According to a Martindale-Nolo survey, the average personal injury claim takes about 11.4 months from accident to resolution¹. A separate analysis of national data found the average car accident settlement takes 15 months⁵.

It’s important to note that most cases never reach a courtroom. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, only 3–4% of personal injury cases go to trial⁴. The other 96–97% settle before trial.

For cases that do go to trial, the Bureau of Justice Statistics found the median time from filing to verdict is 22–26 months. The median time from filing to resolution for all cases is 13–14 months⁴.

Factors That Affect How Long a Car Accident Lawsuit Takes

• Severity of injuries – Cases with serious injuries requiring long-term care take longer
• Disputed liability – Fault disputes add significant time
• Multiple parties – Commercial trucks or corporate defendants add months
• Settlement vs. trial – Most cases settle, which is faster

If you’ve been injured in a Houston car accident, contact Attorney Steve Lee today for a free consultation. With over 50 years of experience and more than 100,000 clients served, we’ll fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

Sources

1. https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-much-can-i-get-for-my-personal-injury-case-and-how-long-will-it-take-new.html
2. https://investor.wedbush.com/wedbush/article/bizwire-2026-7-30-insurance-research-council-study-finds-rising-medical-costs-and-attorney-involvement-are-driving-up-auto-injury-claim-costs
3. https://www.iii.org/blog/attorney-involvement-hurts-plaintiffs-through-slower-settlements-smaller-net-payouts
4. https://www.bjs.gov/
5. https://www.rodriguezlawfirm.com/blog/how-long-does-a-car-accident-settlement-take-real-data/