How Long Does it Take for Geico to Settle a Case?
The aftermath of a car accident can be very challenging. If you sustain injuries and damages to your property, you often have a right to claim compensation from the at-fault party. If another driver is at fault, you may have to claim compensation from an insurance provider such as Geico, which can be another challenging process.
If you want to increase your chances of a fair settlement and avoid dealing with insurance companies, consider hiring a car accident lawyer in your area. Lawyers are familiar with the claims process and can help you better understand how long it will take for Geico to settle a case.
How Long Does It Take for Geico To Settle a Case?
Geico is a leading insurance provider in the United States. According to MarketWatch, Geico is known for its smooth and fast online and app experience. The insurance giant asserts that it can resolve claims within 48 hours. Though this might be true, it’s mainly applicable to accidents that involve light bruises and minor property damages.
Suppose the accident was severe and caused thousands of dollars worth of damages and injuries. In that case, you’ll need solid evidence to support the value of your claim, and this can take much longer than 48 hours.
A speedy settlement for severe accidents can also equate to a low ball offer. This is because the adjuster may want to quickly settle the claim before knowing the exact value of your damages.
How to File a Claim With Geico
The validity of your claim and the beginning of your journey to compensation starts at the scene of the accident. The evidence you gather and what you do immediately after the accident can affect your claim. Therefore, if you want to claim insurance compensation from Geico, you should:
- Call 911 and report the crash to the police immediately
- Collect witness information
- Get driver details and insurance information
- Gather evidence, such as pictures of the damages to the vehicles, your injuries, and the scene
- Seek medical attention
- Report the accident to your insurance provider
The police report, medical records, pictures, and witness statements prove that the accident occurred and you suffered injuries and damages. With the proof in place, you can contact Geico to start the claims process.
Once you file your claim with Geico, the case will be assigned to an agent, who’ll review it before sending it to an adjuster to begin investigations. Since insurance companies handle several claims simultaneously, you can expect this first process to take several days or weeks.
Factors That Affect How Long it Takes Geico to Settle a Case
The duration of settling a case with Geico depends on several factors. Depending on the specifics of your case, some of these factors could include:
- The severity of your injuries. Suppose you suffer severe and traumatic injuries that require extensive hospitalization or surgery and cost a great deal of money. In that case, you can expect negotiations to take much longer. Life-threatening or altering injuries are costly to compensate; Geico’s adjusters may take time to investigate and prove the injuries before giving a settlement offer.
- The effects of the injuries in your life. Accidents that result in paralysis or disability are expensive to treat because the victim must make several life adjustments, including the possibility of being unable to resume work. Additionally, severe injuries include non-economic damages like pain and suffering or trauma, which are more challenging to prove and value.
- The complexity of the case. An accident that involves several liable parties can also take longer to settle. In such accidents, every responsible party will most likely compensate the victim according to their percentage of fault. In some cases, establishing each party’s percentage can be challenging, and this can cause delays.
- The possibility of going to trial. If you or your lawyer feels that Geico is giving a low ball offer and negotiations fail, you often have a right to take the case to trial. This means filing a lawsuit, going through mediations, and waiting for a court date. This can take up to a year or more.
The length of time it takes to settle a case varies. If the issue is more complicated, it can take a few months or years to be resolved. If the accident only resulted in minor damages to your car, you can resolve that quickly online.
Contact an Attorney to Determine How Long it Will Take Geico to Settle a Case
If you want to protect your rights and ensure you get a fair settlement, consider working with a car accident lawyer. At the Dolman Law Group, we’ll use our resources to gather all the evidence needed to support your claim and negotiate a fair settlement with Geico adjusters. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.