Have you been involved in a car accident in Texas, just had your deposition taken, and now you are wondering how long it might take for your case to settle? If so, you’re not alone. The answer isn’t always straightforward as it depends on several factors, such as discovery and mediation attempts by both sides of the dispute. In this blog post, we will discuss how long it may take for your Texas car accident case to settle after taking your deposition. We will also provide information about other steps that can be taken during the process such as mediation attempts and settlement negotiations.
The time to resolution varies depending on the type of case and a lot of other factors, but a typical car accident case will often settle within a few months after the Defense counsel takes your deposition. After a deposition is taken in a Texas car accident case, settlement negotiations may begin almost immediately.
The Most Common Way to Settle Your Case After a Deposition is Mediation
A common way car accident cases are settled is by using a process called mediation. Mediation is a process by which two parties can attempt to reach an agreement without taking their case to court. It involves the use of a neutral third party, known as a mediator, who helps each side to negotiate and come to an agreement. Mediation is considered one of the most effective ways for settling disputes as it allows both sides of the argument present their cases before a neutral third-party mediator who then facilitates discussions between them until an agreement is reached. This form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) often yields favorable results when all participants cooperate and remain open-minded throughout each step of negotiations.
Defense counsel will usually insist on taking your deposition before agreeing to go to a mediation. This is so the Defense counsel can evaluate you as a witness and get more details about your case. Perhaps more cynically, it is also because Defense counsel is paid by the hour, and as such needs to bill at least some work to their client.
Sometimes mediation can be delayed several months after your deposition because of mediator availability. Really good mediators are booked one to two months out on average, and if the Court has ordered a particular mediator handle your case, then you have to wait until that mediator is available before you can schedule a time to mediate your case.
Conclusion
In most car accident cases, you can expect to settle a few months after your deposition is taken. Keep in mind, however, that every case is unique and has it’s own special circumstances that can shorten or delay your settlement. And then some cases never settle at all and have to be tried in front of a jury.
At Westbrook Law, we understand the complexities of car accident cases and can help you navigate this process in order to get the best outcome. If you or a loved one has been involved in an auto-related incident, please don’t hesitate to book an appointment with us for a free consultation. We will work tirelessly on your behalf throughout every step of the process!
