How Long Will It Take to Settle a Motorcycle Accident Claim?

Posted on April 17, 2025 in Motorcycle Accidents

Getting into a motorcycle accident can have a significant impact on your life. Whether the crash was minor or major, it can cause a significant upheaval. It is normal to want your motorcycle accident claim to be resolved as quickly as possible so that you can move forward. However, it is important not to rush the process and accept less than you deserve.

Average Settlement Times for a California Motorcycle Accident Claim

From start to finish, a motorcycle accident claim in California can take a few months up to one year or longer to be resolved. Motor vehicle accident claims in Los Angeles are not on one shared timeline. The exact amount of time depends on the case and circumstances.

One of the main determining factors in how long a motorcycle accident settlement will take is whether or not the case goes to trial. A simple insurance settlement that is achieved outside of court through negotiations between the insurance provider and the claimant typically takes a few months (around three to six, on average).

Complicated cases, however, can take longer. If a case cannot reach a settlement that is fair for the victim, for example, it may go to trial. A motorcycle accident trial can take many months or even years, depending on the length of the discovery phase and court date availability.

Factors That Can Affect Settlement Timeline

How long your motorcycle accident claim takes relies on factors that are unique to your case. Some motorcycle accident cases are straightforward, with clear-cut fault and mild to moderate physical injuries. Other cases have challenges that can make them take longer.

Things that can affect settlement times include:

• Injury severity. It may be in your best interest to wait to reach your point of maximum medical improvement (when your doctor believes you have reached your furthest level of recovery) to accept a settlement. Otherwise, you may not fully understand the future costs of your injury. Cases involving severe injuries with ongoing treatments may take longer.

• Liability disputes. If an insurance company is refuting its policyholder’s fault for your motorcycle accident, this can lengthen the amount of time it takes to reach a resolution. The investigation and discovery phases may be extended. 

• Court scheduling. Sometimes, the timeline of a motorcycle accident claim comes down to how long it takes to get an open court date to schedule your personal injury trial. In busy jurisdictions like Los Angeles County, there may be a long wait.

Reducing the amount of time it takes to achieve a motorcycle accident settlement may be possible with help from an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in LA. A lawyer will know how to make the legal process as efficient and productive as possible without compromising your rights.

Avoid Pressure to Settle Too Early

It is critical not to jump into a fast settlement offered to you by an insurance company in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident. Initial offers are often intentionally set low to save the insurance company money. Before signing anything, contact an attorney to discuss the true value of your claim and what a law firm can do to help.

A case that takes longer than a few months to be resolved does not mean that something is wrong or that you should give up on your claim. It simply means that your case has complications that need to be worked out. The best thing you can do for your future is to try to be patient while your injury lawyer in Los Angeles handles negotiations and litigation for you.