How Long Does It Take To Settle A Pedestrian Accident?

If you’ve been hit by a car while walking, you’re probably wondering how long it’ll take before your case is settled and you can move forward. 

It’s a fair question. Nobody wants to be stuck in limbo, waiting for insurance companies, doctors, and lawyers to figure things out. 

The good news is that you’re not alone. A lot of people are in the same boat, and once you understand what actually affects the timeline, the process feels a lot less confusing.

In this post, we’ll shed some light on how long it takes to settle a pedestrian accident.

Average Timeline For Pedestrian Accident Settlements

Pedestrian accident claims usually take anywhere from a few months to a couple of years to settle.

That’s a pretty wide range, right? That’s because it depends on the details of the case.

If the injuries are minor and fault is crystal clear, the settlement could happen in as little as three to six months. But if the injuries are more severe or the insurance company drags its feet, you could be looking at a year or more. 

Cases that end up in court can stretch past two years before everything is resolved.

Quick cases are usually straightforward. Complicated ones need more time to sort out.

Also Read: When Is A Pedestrian At Fault For A Car Accident?

Factors That Affect How Long It Takes To Settle A Pedestrian Accident

There are several moving parts that determine how quickly or slowly your pedestrian accident case gets resolved. Let’s look at the big ones:

#1 Liability Disputes

If everyone agrees the driver was at fault, things move much faster. 

But if there’s any debate like if the driver claims you were jaywalking, or another car may have contributed, expect delays. Insurance companies love to argue about liability because it gives them a reason to hold onto their money longer. 

Sorting this out often means gathering more evidence, witness statements, and sometimes even accident reconstruction experts.

#2 Severity Of Injuries

The more serious the injuries, the longer the case tends to take. 

If you’ve got broken bones, a traumatic brain injury, or something that requires surgery, doctors need time to see how you’ll recover. 

Lawyers and insurance adjusters don’t want to finalize a settlement until it’s clear what your long-term needs are. 

Minor injuries, on the other hand, are easier to calculate.

Also Read: How Long Should Swelling Last After Injury?

#3 Medical Treatment & Recovery Time

Medical treatment is one of the biggest reasons pedestrian accident claims take longer than people expect. 

Insurance companies and lawyers want to know your full medical picture before putting a dollar amount on the case. That means waiting until you reach maximum medical improvement, or MMI.

MMI is basically the point where doctors believe your condition won’t improve much more, even with continued care. For some people, that happens within a few months. 

For others with more serious injuries, it could take a year or longer. 

Settling too early risks underestimating future costs like additional surgeries, physical therapy, or even long-term caregiving.

#4 Insurance Company Response

Insurance companies have a reputation for dragging their feet, and honestly, it’s often true. 

Some adjusters move quickly and negotiate in good faith. Others intentionally stall, hoping you’ll get frustrated and accept a low offer just to be done with it.

They might take weeks to respond to calls or emails, or they’ll keep asking for more documents before reviewing the claim. In some cases, they even deny fault entirely, forcing your lawyer to push harder. 

These tactics can add months to the process. 

The more persistent and experienced your attorney is, the harder it is for insurers to play games.

#5 Legal Process

If negotiations don’t get you anywhere, the case might head to court. 

Filing a lawsuit doesn’t mean you’ll automatically go to trial, but it does mean a longer timeline. 

Discovery, depositions, motions – it all takes time. 

Sometimes, just the threat of trial pushes insurance companies to make a reasonable settlement, but it’s never an overnight thing.

Common Reasons Settlements Get Delayed

Even when both sides want to settle, things can slow down for lots of reasons. Some of the most common include:

• Ongoing medical treatment or waiting to reach MMI.
  
• Multiple parties being involved, like if several drivers share responsibility.
  
• Insurance companies making low offers that don’t reflect the true cost of injuries.
  
• Needing expert opinions to strengthen the case.

It’s kind of like waiting for all the puzzle pieces to fall into place. Until everything lines up, the settlement can’t move forward.

How To Speed Up The Process

While you can’t control every part of the timeline, there are a few things you can do to keep your pedestrian accident case moving.

First, stay on top of your medical care. 

Follow doctor’s orders, keep appointments, and hang on to all paperwork. Gaps in treatment give insurance companies an excuse to question your injuries.

Second, respond quickly when your lawyer or the insurance company asks for information. 

Delays on your end can add unnecessary time to the process.

Third, work with a lawyer who knows pedestrian accident cases inside and out. Experienced attorneys know how to cut through the insurance company’s stall tactics and push for faster results without sacrificing the value of your claim.

Also Read: How Long After an Accident Can You File a Claim in Pennsylvania?

When Cases Go To Court

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to negotiate, the insurance company just won’t play fair. 

That’s when cases head to court. This doesn’t mean your case is doomed to drag on forever, but it does mean you’re looking at a longer road ahead.

Court cases have their own timeline, filled with procedures and deadlines that can’t be rushed. There’s discovery, where both sides exchange evidence. There are depositions, where witnesses and experts give sworn statements. 

There may even be motions filed back and forth before a trial date is set.

It’s not unusual for court cases to take a year or more, but they can also lead to better outcomes. Juries often award higher compensation than insurance companies are willing to offer upfront. 

It’s a trade-off: more time, but often more money.

Bottom Line

Some pedestrian accident cases wrap up in a matter of months, while others take years to resolve. How soon it settles depends on the severity of injuries, how clearly fault is established, and how cooperative the insurance company decides to be.

The most important thing to remember? Patience usually pays off. 

Settling too early can leave you short on compensation, especially if you discover later that your injuries are more serious than you thought. 

Plus, working with an experienced lawyer helps keep things on track and makes sure you’re not leaving money on the table.