Length of a Columbia Wrongful Death Case
When you file a wrongful death claim, you expect to receive compensation as soon as possible. Unfortunately, these cases are rarely straightforward. The variety of factors and nuances surrounding such lawsuits is significant. Each one of them can delay the desired outcome.
The length of a Columbia wrongful death case depends on the amount of available evidence, the actions of the at-fault party’s insurance company, and, most importantly, the skills of a dedicated wrongful death attorney.
Factors Affecting the Length of a Wrongful Death Case
Some factors that affect the length of a wrongful death case in Columbia can be influenced, while others remain the same for each claim. The most common are:
- Complexity of the Case: Cases involving multiple parties or disputed liability take longer to resolve due to the need for a thorough investigation.
- Amount of Evidence Needed: Gathering evidence, such as medical records, accident reports, and witness statements, may require significant time.
- Cooperation of the Parties Involved: If the at-fault party’s insurance company resists providing information or negotiating in good faith, the case may face delays.
- Expert Witness Involvement: Cases requiring testimony from experts, such as medical professionals or financial analysts, may lengthen a Columbia wrongful death case due to the time they usually need for preparations.
- Settlement Negotiations: Lengthy settlement discussions can prolong the case, especially if parties are far apart in their evaluations of the claim’s value.
- Appeals or Legal Challenges: If either side files an appeal or disputes procedural rulings, the case can take much longer.
In some situations, insurance companies may intentionally delay proceedings to pressure the grieving person into accepting lower settlement offers. That is why delegating all legal action to a skilled attorney is especially important.
How to Speed Up the Wrongful Death Case
Some wrongful death cases can be resolved without delays. The main approaches to reducing the length of a wrongful death case in Columbia are:
Working with an Experienced Wrongful Death Attorney
An attorney with experience in local wrongful death proceedings can streamline the process and prevent delays whenever possible. They can collect evidence, conduct an investigation, and negotiate a settlement with the insurance company. If the case proceeds to trial, a competent lawyer can present a robust argument to the judge and avoid verdict delays.
Gathering Evidence Early
The faster the plaintiff and their legal team begin gathering relevant evidence, the more chances they have of finding it fully intact. With time, some evidence degrades or becomes harder to discover.
Responding Promptly to Requests for Information
Cooperating with the legal team and the at-fault party can speed up the process. This includes sharing the requested documents and information as soon as possible.
Choosing Mediation
When possible, the attorney may suggest exploring out-of-court options, such as mediation or arbitration, to resolve the wrongful death case in Columbia more quickly. These methods often take less time than going to trial while still resulting in fair compensation.
Consult an Attorney in Columbia about the Length of Your Wrongful Death Case
If someone’s negligent actions led to the death of your loved one, you can claim compensation. The length of a Columbia wrongful death case depends on many factors, the most important one being the expertise of your legal team.
At the Law Office of Chris Miller, we are passionate about helping people who have lost their family members to negligence get the money they deserve. Call us to schedule a free consultation today.