How Long Does a Personal Injury Case Take in Aurora, Illinois?
Did you get hurt in an accident in Aurora? Then you must be wondering how long your personal injury case will take to give results. It really depends. Some cases wrap up in a few months, whereas others drag for up to three years. However, knowing what affects the timeline can help you to plan ahead and set realistic expectations.
How Long Does a Personal Injury Case Take in Illinois?
Most personal injury lawsuits in Illinois take anywhere from six months and two years. Cases that involve minor injuries and clear liability may close as quickly as three months. Cases with disputed liability or long-term injuries typically take twelve to eighteen months. Add another one to two years if your case goes to trial.
What Factors Affect the Timeline?
Things can move faster or slower depending on a variety of circumstances. These are the main ones:
- The extent of your injuries.
You’ll want to wait until you’ve reached “maximum medical improvement” before settling. That means your doctor will assert that your condition cannot improve any further with treatment. Settling too early can cost you valuable money. Serious injuries can take months to reach this stage.
- Liability.
Cases are resolved faster when fault is obvious to both sides. If liability is questioned, each side will spend more time researching police reports and investing in expert witnesses. If either side disputes who was responsible for causing the accident, it takes longer.
- The insurance company.
Insurance companies can play ball or drag their heels. Lowball offers are unfortunately common. So are insurers who take far too long to return calls and evaluate claims. Your lawyer may need to file a lawsuit just to get the insurance company to move.
- Filing a lawsuit.
Many cases settle before a lawsuit is ever filed. However, filing a lawsuit is sometimes necessary to get the other side to offer a fair settlement. After a lawsuit is filed, both sides must go through the discovery phase. Each side requests documents and information from the other party. They must also take depositions and prepare their legal arguments. Discovery can take six months to a year.
- Court calendar.
Even if both sides are ready to go to court, you’re forced to wait for an open trial date. Courts throughout Illinois have extensive backlogs. Waiting for a court date in Kane County (where Aurora is located) can prolong your case.
A More Detailed Timeline
If your case falls into one of these categories, here’s roughly how long it will take:
- Small injuries, limited liability: 3-6 months
- Moderate injuries, some liability issues: 6-18 months
- Severe injuries or liability issues: 1-3 years
- Trials: 2-4 years+
Don’t Wait Too Long
You have two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit in Illinois. That’s established by Illinois Statute 735 ILCS 5/13-202. After that point, you lose your right to sue forever. If your injury was caused by a government vehicle or city property in Aurora, you may only have one year to file.
Waiting also risks your ability to gather evidence. Witnesses lose memories. Video footage vanishes. If you wait too long, you hurt your ability to build a strong case.
Get Help From a Local Attorney
Working with an experienced Aurora personal injury attorney gives you a real advantage. A local attorney knows the Kane County court system, understands how local insurers operate, and can move your case forward without unnecessary delays. They handle the legal work so you can focus on recovering.
Every case is different, but one thing stays the same: the earlier you get legal help, the better your chances of a full and fair recovery.
