The honest answer: it depends
Most personal injury cases resolve between six months and three years from the date of the injury. Soft-tissue cases that settle pre-suit often close in six to nine months. Cases involving surgery, disputed liability, or filed lawsuits commonly take 18 to 36 months. A small percentage that go to trial can take three years or more.
What drives timeline
Three things primarily determine how long your case takes: how long you treat (a case cannot really be settled until you reach maximum medical improvement), how clearly liability is established (disputed cases take longer), and the local court's docket if a lawsuit must be filed.
Phases of a typical case
Investigation and treatment usually run two to nine months, depending on the severity of the injury. Demand and pre-suit negotiation typically takes one to four months. If a lawsuit is filed, the discovery phase generally takes 9 to 18 months. Mediation usually happens 60 to 120 days before the trial date. Trial itself is usually two to ten days.
Why faster is not always better
Insurance adjusters often pressure injured people to settle quickly. The first offer comes early because the case is worth less to you when you do not yet know the full extent of your injuries. Be patient. Settle when you understand what you are giving up — not before.