How Long Will Your Personal Injury Case Really Take?

Understanding New York Personal Injury Timelines and Delays

After an accident, most people feel extremely stressed out. You may be juggling doctor appointments, missing work, and wondering when life will feel normal again. One of the biggest questions that comes up after a personal injury in New York is: How long is this going to take?

You deserve a clear answer. While no two cases move at exactly the same pace, there are patterns we see all the time. At Horn Wright, LLP, we’ve guided clients through personal injury cases across New York State. Whether your injury happened in Syracuse, Albany, or Queens, we’ll explain the process and help you understand what to expect from the very beginning.

Immediate Steps After an Accident in New York

Time starts ticking the moment your accident happens. What you do in those first hours and days can affect how quickly your personal injury case moves. In New York, you’ll need to report the accident, get medical care, and start collecting evidence right away.

If you’re injured in a car crash on the Long Island Expressway or fall on a wet floor inside a store in Buffalo, document everything. Take photos if you’re able. Request a copy of the police report. Get medical attention, even if you feel okay at first. You can visit an urgent care center or major medical facilities like NYC Health + Hospitals or Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. Delaying treatment can weaken your claim.

We’ve seen cases slow down because the injured person waited too long to report the accident or skipped that initial ER visit. You don’t need to gather every detail yourself, but starting the paper trail early helps speed things up later.

How Case Complexity Affects Your Timeline

Not all personal injury cases in New York unfold the same way. A minor fender bender in Yonkers with clear fault usually moves much faster than a construction injury involving multiple parties near Hudson Yards.

The more complex the case, the longer it tends to take. Here’s what can slow things down:

• Liability is unclear or contested
• There are multiple people or companies involved
• The injury requires long-term medical care
• There’s no video, photos, or credible eyewitnesses
• The injured person didn’t follow up with treatment
• Insurance companies refuse to negotiate fairly

If liability is denied, companies shift blame, and there’s no clear evidence, your attorney must investigate, gather records, and possibly bring in expert testimony. That takes time. It’s a necessary part of building a strong case.

The Role of Medical Treatment in New York Personal Injury Claims

Your medical treatment plays a major role in how long your case takes. In most cases, your lawyer can’t begin serious settlement discussions until your treatment ends or your condition stabilizes.

Doctors call that Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). That means your injury won’t likely improve with further treatment. For some people, that happens in weeks. For others, especially after surgeries or physical therapy, it can take months or longer.

Many of our clients receive care from places like Mount Sinai in Manhattan or Rochester General in Western New York. These records must be reviewed, organized, and sometimes explained by experts before they go to the insurance company. If you miss appointments, switch doctors frequently, or delay follow-up care, your case might take longer.

A steady, well-documented treatment plan helps move your case forward.

Insurance Company Timelines in New York

In New York, no-fault insurance laws add another layer of timing to personal injury claims. For car accidents, your own insurance company typically covers medical bills and lost wages, regardless of fault, up to a certain limit. That doesn’t mean they always pay quickly.

Insurance carriers often delay for weeks or months, especially when larger amounts are involved. Some offer quick, low settlements hoping you’ll accept before understanding the full cost of your injuries.

Here’s how insurance timelines usually play out:

• File a claim immediately (ideally within 30 days)
• Receive initial benefits for basic medical expenses
• Exchange documentation with the insurer
• Begin negotiation (can take 2–6 months or more)

If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair amount, your case may need to move toward litigation, which increases the timeline. That doesn’t mean a trial is guaranteed, but it does bring more formal steps into the process.

When Personal Injury Cases Go to Court in New York

Filing a lawsuit can sound intimidating, but sometimes it’s the only way to get real compensation. In New York, lawsuits go through the state’s civil courts, including local county courts and the New York State Supreme Court.

Once a lawsuit is filed, your case enters what’s called discovery. Both sides exchange information, take depositions, and review medical records. Discovery alone can take 6 to 12 months depending on how cooperative each side is.

Here’s a general breakdown of court-related timelines:

• Filing and response: 30–60 days
• Discovery: 6–12 months
• Trial scheduling: 12–24 months, depending on county backlog

Counties like Bronx and Kings have especially full dockets, which may push trial dates out even further. Many cases still settle before trial, but preparing for court stretches the process out.

Settlement vs. Trial: What Usually Happens in New York Cases

Most personal injury cases in New York settle before reaching a courtroom. Trials are time-consuming and costly. If both sides agree on the facts and damages, a settlement can happen in months. If there’s major disagreement, especially over long-term injuries, your case may head toward trial.

Mediation and arbitration are options, too. These forms of alternative dispute resolution can save time and reduce stress. New York courts sometimes even require them before trial.

Settlements are usually faster, but not always better. If the offer doesn’t reflect your full losses, both physical and financial, it might be worth holding out.

What You Can Do to Speed Things Up

There’s no magic trick to make a personal injury case go away faster. But you can take simple steps that help your lawyer move things forward more smoothly.

• Go to all your medical appointments
• Keep detailed records of expenses, symptoms, and missed work
• Respond quickly to questions or document requests
• Don’t post about your injury online
• Avoid switching doctors unless necessary
• Stay in regular contact with your attorney

The more involved and organized you are, the more efficiently your legal team can work. You don’t need to control everything, just stay informed and cooperative.

Average Timelines for Personal Injury Cases in New York

So what’s the average timeline for a personal injury case here in New York? While every case has its own rhythm, we can give you some realistic ranges:

• Simple rear-end collisions with minor injuries: 6 to 12 months
• Moderate injury cases needing rehab or surgery: 12 to 24 months
• Complex or disputed liability cases: 2 to 4 years

Cases involving multiple parties, ongoing treatment, or significant damages often take longer. Minor claims with clear documentation and cooperation may settle more quickly.

There’s no single timeline, but patterns do emerge. The more severe the injury and the more disagreement around fault, the longer it usually takes.

Stay Informed, Stay Patient

Waiting on a personal injury claim can test your patience. Bills pile up. You may feel stuck in limbo. But understanding the process gives you back some control. You’ll know what’s coming, how to prepare, and when to push for answers.

Trust the steps. Stay involved. Ask questions. Your case is about getting the time, care, and recovery you deserve. You don’t have to go through it alone.

Horn Wright, LLP, Can Help You Move Forward

If you’re dealing with an injury anywhere in New York State, the attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, are here to help. We’ve represented clients from Buffalo to Brooklyn and understand how personal injury cases move through local courts, medical systems, and insurance companies.

Our team stays focused on moving your case forward while protecting your rights at every stage. We can’t promise quick fixes, but we can promise honesty, responsiveness, and a legal strategy that fits your life.

Call today to speak with someone who understands what you’re up against and knows how to help you through it.