If you’ve recently been injured in a car accident in California, you’re probably wondering: “How long will it take to settle my case?” It’s a valid and very common question — and the short answer is: it depends.

Every car accident case is unique. Some settle within a few months, while others can take a year or more. The timeline depends on many factors, including the severity of your injuries, the clarity of fault (liability), and how cooperative the insurance companies are. Understanding what to expect can help ease the uncertainty and prepare you for what’s ahead.

Below, we break down everything that goes into the car accident settlement timeline — and what you can do to make sure your case is handled efficiently and fairly.

Key Factors That Affect Your Car Accident Case Timeline

1. Determining Liability

Before any insurance company pays out a settlement, they need to know who was at fault for the accident. California is a comparative negligence state, meaning liability can be shared between drivers. If the other party’s insurance company disputes who caused the crash, it can lead to delays in settlement.

In many cases, establishing fault involves gathering:

• Police reports
• Witness statements
• Traffic camera footage
• Photos of the scene and vehicle damage
• Expert analysis or accident reconstruction

If fault is clear (such as a rear-end collision), the process may move faster. But if it’s a multi-car accident or involves conflicting stories, it can take weeks or even months just to sort out liability.

2. Completing Medical Treatment

This is one of the most critical phases of your case. You should never settle a claim until you’ve completed all your medical treatments or reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) — the point where your condition is as good as it’s going to get.

Why? Because your settlement should reflect the full extent of your injuries, including:

• ER visits
• Surgeries
• Physical therapy
• Long-term care needs
• Pain and suffering
• Future medical costs

If you settle too early, you risk not being compensated for ongoing issues like chronic pain or future surgeries.

Depending on the severity of your injuries, this stage can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months — or longer.

3. Gathering All Necessary Evidence

Once treatment is complete, your attorney will collect the evidence needed to prove the value of your claim. This typically includes:

• Medical records and bills
• Proof of lost wages or reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering documentation (e.g., personal journals, photos)
• Property damage estimates or invoices
• Insurance policy details

This process can take several weeks, especially if medical providers or employers are slow in providing documentation.

4. Preparing and Sending a Demand Letter

With all the evidence in hand, your attorney will prepare a demand package. This is a formal letter sent to the at-fault driver’s insurance company, outlining:

• The facts of the accident
• The injuries you sustained
• The medical treatment you received
• The economic losses you’ve suffered
• A demand for compensation

Once the demand letter is submitted, the insurance company will need time to evaluate the claim — usually 30–45 days, though it can vary.

5. Negotiating the Settlement

This is often the most time-consuming part of the process. After reviewing your demand, the insurance adjuster will likely respond with a low initial offer. From there, negotiations begin.

Your attorney will go back and forth with the insurance company until a fair settlement is reached — or it becomes clear that no agreement can be made, at which point a lawsuit may be filed.

Negotiations can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on:

• The strength of your evidence
• The willingness of the insurer to negotiate
• The complexity of your injuries and damages
• Whether liability is disputed

6. Filing a Lawsuit (If Necessary)

If a settlement can’t be reached through negotiations, your attorney may recommend filing a personal injury lawsuit. In California, the statute of limitations for car accident injuries is generally two years from the date of the crash.

Once a lawsuit is filed, the timeline may extend significantly. Discovery, depositions, mediation, and court scheduling can add several more months — or even a year or more to your case.

How Long Do Car Accident Settlements Typically Take in California?

Here’s a general breakdown of common timelines: