When you are injured, you need to know what to expect in your case, including the answer to an important question: How long does a personal injury lawsuit take?
The experienced Houston personal injury lawyers at Haun Mena explain how long personal injury cases take.
Average Timeline for Personal Injury Lawsuits in Houston
While personal injury lawsuits in Houston usually take between six weeks and 18 months, there are exceptions.
How long do personal injury claims take? It depends. Straightforward cases can take about a month. In these cases, it’s a matter of identifying damages, compensation, and processing the claim.
If there are serious questions or disputes, a personal injury case can take a year or more to resolve.
The best way to understand how long a personal injury case takes is to discuss your case with a lawyer. An attorney from Haun Mena can provide a personalized consultation on how to process your claim efficiently.
Personal Injury Lawsuit Statistics in Texas and Houston
In 2024, plaintiffs filed approximately 72,000 new injury and damage cases in Texas municipal and justice courts. Neither claims that are settled without a court filing nor federal filings are included in this number.
Case filings are on the rise. According to data from the Texas Judicial Branch, filings involving motor vehicle injury cases in Texas district and county courts have increased by roughly a quarter over the past five years, with other injury and damage-related cases also seeing a significant rise during that same period.
The Texas Department of Transportation reported 423,953 total motor vehicle crashes in the state in 2024. Of those, 66,236 were in Houston alone. Motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, and other incidents can lead to personal injury lawsuits and settlements.
Factors That Affect How Long a Houston Injury Case Takes to Settle
Factors that may affect your Houston injury case settlement timeline include the following:
- Disputes about fault. When the fault isn’t immediately clear, you may need to build the evidence.
- Serious injuries. The more seriously you’re injured, the greater your damages. Additionally, it can take time to investigate medical expenses and pain and suffering.
- Future damages. If a party has permanent disability, disfigurement, or long-term medical needs, these damages can be compensated.
- Pre-existing injuries. You can receive compensation if you have pre-existing medical conditions, but it can take additional time to value the case.
- Multiple defendants. More than one defendant can make a case more complex.
- Insurance. Insurance to pay damages can help resolve a case.
- Court scheduling. Many Houston, TX, injury claims are filed in District Courts and statutory county courts. The court’s case load may impact how long your case takes.
Medical treatment can impact your settlement timing. It may take time to fully identify injuries and establish a course of healing. Medical experts may be helpful in your case.
Personal Injury Claim vs. Lawsuit: Which Takes Longer?
In general, lawsuits take longer than personal injury claim settlements. It can take more time to file the lawsuit, serve it, engage in discovery, and hold court hearings. However, lawsuits don’t always take longer.
A lawsuit can help a case move forward. When you file a lawsuit, the other side must respond or be held responsible by default.
Does filing a lawsuit speed up or slow down a settlement?
If the other party is willing to discuss the case in good faith, a settlement can be faster than a lawsuit. But a lawsuit can speed up a settlement by prompting movement in the case.
Typical Stages of a Houston Personal Injury Lawsuit Timeline
While each case varies, there are standard stages of a Houston personal injury lawsuit timeline.
- An injury occurs. The first step is getting medical attention. If insurance is involved, report the incident.
- The case is evaluated. Determine who may be liable and what your case is worth. Identify the basis for liability and which court has jurisdiction over the case.
- Preliminary negotiations begin. If appropriate, participate in preliminary negotiations. If negotiations are successful, put the final agreement in writing.
- File the claim in court. If there is no settlement, file the summons and complaint in court. Serve the other party with court documents.
- A court process is held. Before your case goes to trial, there will be preliminary court hearings.
- Final negotiations take place. You will have final settlement talks before trial.
- Trial begins. If the case is still unresolved, it goes to trial. There may be appeals after trial.
The amount of time for each stage depends on the case, the actions of the other party, and your case strategy. An attorney can help you create a custom strategy to present the strongest case possible.
Why Some Houston Injury Cases Settle Quickly While Others Take Years
In a Houston injury case, some factors in the timeline are beyond your control. For example, the speed at which the defense responds to court filings and the scheduling of court dates can vary. However, there are aspects you can manage, such as filing legal documents promptly. Our attorneys are experienced in identifying and avoiding mistakes d that can prolong your case.
How Insurance Companies Delay Personal Injury Settlements
Insurance companies can take steps to delay personal injury settlements. They may be slow to respond or misrepresent what the insurance policy covers. To ensure you are being treated fairly, contact our attorneys to discuss your case.
What Happens If a Houston Personal Injury Case Goes to Trial?
If a Houston personal injury case goes to trial, both sides present their case. The plaintiff starts, calling witnesses, presenting evidence, and making the case to the jury. The defense can then respond. The jury, or judge if it’s a bench trial, decides fault and the amount of compensation.
How an Experienced Houston Personal Injury Lawyer Can Move Your Case Forward
An experienced Houston personal injury lawyer understands the legal process, understanding the paperwork to file and how to pursue the court process efficiently. An attorney can give you an honest, confidential evaluation of the value of your case.
Contact us
Are you wondering how long a Houston personal injury lawsuit takes to settle? To discuss your case with a lawyer, contact our experienced attorneys at Haun Mena.
