When you’re hurt in a car accident, waiting for a fair settlement can feel like salt in the wound. You expected to get help with medical bills, car repairs, and lost wages quickly, but weeks or even months have passed, and your claim still isn’t resolved.

In California, many claims with clear liability and minor injuries can be settled within months, while more complicated cases routinely stretch beyond a year.

Unfortunately, delays are common in California car accident cases. Sometimes, they happen for legitimate reasons. Other times, they’re the result of insurance company tactics to wear you down and pressure you into accepting less than you deserve.

Here’s why car accident claims take longer than expected, and what you can do to keep your case moving forward with the help of a car accident attorney.

Insurance Company Tactics That Slow Down Your Claim

Insurance companies know accident victims are under financial stress and use that pressure to their advantage. They often hope you accept a lower settlement by delaying your claim.

Tactics they use include:

Requesting Unnecessary or Repetitive Documentation

You may be asked for the same forms, medical records, or statements multiple times. This paper-chase approach allows insurers to stall the process while appearing to act diligently.

Claiming They Need More Time to Investigate

Even when liability is clear, like in rear-end collisions, adjusters may insist they are still reviewing the case. This delay can stretch for weeks, especially when multiple departments or supervisors get involved.

Dragging Out Communication

Insurers sometimes go silent for long periods, claiming staffing shortages or internal review processes. Each unanswered call or email means more time before you get paid.

Pressuring You to Settle Early and Cheap

Delays often serve as leverage. The insurer might make a lowball offer, hoping you accept just to get things over with.

If your claim seems stuck in limbo, these may be signs that the insurance company is intentionally slowing things down. Working with our experienced California car accident attorneys can help get your claim back on track.

Legitimate Factors That Can Extend Settlement Timelines

Not every delay is the insurer’s fault. Some parts of the claims process simply take time, especially when your case involves serious injuries or disputed facts.

Common legitimate reasons include:

  • Ongoing Medical Treatment and MMI: If you’re still undergoing treatment, it’s often best to wait until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), where your condition has stabilized, to settle your claim. Settling too early could mean missing out on compensation for future medical expenses or lasting disabilities.
  • Disputes Over Fault: When there’s disagreement about who caused the crash, insurers may hire investigators, reconstruct the accident, or gather witness statements. This process can take weeks or months, but it’s crucial to establishing liability.
  • Incomplete or Missing Documentation: Claims can’t move forward without medical records, police reports, or wage statements proving lost income. Delays can occur when hospitals, employers, or government agencies take time to release necessary records.
  • Multiple Parties or Commercial Vehicles: Multiple insurers may be involved if your accident involved a rideshare vehicle, delivery truck, or company car. Each party’s legal team needs to review evidence and negotiate, which adds complexity and time.
  • Expert Testimony and Evidence Gathering: In cases involving severe or permanent injuries, your attorney may work with medical experts, economists, or vocational specialists to prove the full extent of your damages. While this adds time, it also increases the value and strength of your claim.

These legitimate steps ensure your case is thorough and you receive compensation reflecting the actual cost of your injuries, not just the insurer’s estimate.

How to Keep Your Claim Moving Forward

While some factors are out of your control, you can take steps to help move the process along, such as:

  • Respond Quickly to Information Requests: The sooner you provide documents or updates, the less opportunity insurers have to stall.
  • Keep Detailed Records: Save every bill, prescription, and email related to your accident.
  • Follow Medical Advice: Completing treatment shows the insurer that your injuries are serious and ongoing.
  • Work With Experienced California Car Accident Attorneys: A skilled lawyer can counter delay tactics, file proper documentation, and pressure insurers to act in good faith.

Don’t Wait in Frustration—Take Control of Your Claim

Delays are frustrating, but they don’t have to derail your recovery. Whether the insurance company is stalling or your case involves complex medical or liability issues, Berg Injury Lawyers can help. Our experienced California car accident attorneys know how to hold insurers accountable and push your claim toward a fair resolution.

If your car accident claim has been delayed, don’t wait any longer. Contact Berg Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless you win your case.