Why Is My Car Accident Settlement Taking So Long in Arizona?

You were hurt in a crash weeks—or maybe even months—ago. You got medical treatment, reported everything, and even started working with a lawyer. But now? You’re just waiting. And waiting. And waiting.

So what gives?

Why is your Arizona car accident settlement taking so long?
And more importantly—what can you do about it?

Whether your crash happened in South Tempe, on a freeway ramp, or in a rideshare, you’re not alone. Many Tempe residents feel like their claim is “stuck in limbo.” But most of the time, there are good (though frustrating) reasons behind the delay.

In this post, we’ll break down what slows the process down, what red flags to watch for, and how a Tempe car accident attorney who’s dealt with slow claims and stubborn insurance companies can keep your case moving.

First—How Long Should a Settlement Actually Take?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But here’s a rough outline:

• Minor, straightforward claims with clear fault and low medical bills: 1–3 months

• Moderate injuries that need full recovery before settling: 3–9 months

• Severe injury claims involving long-term care (like spinal cord injuries or TBI): 6–18 months or more

• Litigated cases that go to court: potentially 1–2 years

That sounds long. And it is. But in many cases, waiting is actually in your best interest—because if you settle too soon, you can’t reopen the claim if symptoms worsen.

Reason #1: You’re Still Treating or Haven’t Reached MMI

MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement) means your condition is as stable as it’s going to get—whether you’ve fully recovered or not.

Until you hit MMI, your lawyer can’t accurately calculate:

• Future medical needs

• Ongoing therapy or assistive devices

• Long-term wage loss or job changes

• Pain and suffering tied to chronic issues

For example, let’s say your crash was months ago in Escalante, and your back still aches after sitting too long. If your treatment isn’t finished, your final damages haven’t been determined. Settling too soon means you could be stuck paying out of pocket down the road.

Reason #2: The Insurance Company Is Delaying (On Purpose)

Insurance companies aren’t just slow. They’re strategic.

They know that if you’re out of work, in pain, and waiting on bills to be paid, you might get desperate—and accept less than your claim is worth.

Here’s how they slow things down:

• Requesting “more documentation”—even if they’ve had it for weeks

• Shifting your claim to new adjusters

• Ignoring or downplaying medical records

• Blaming you for delays by questioning treatment timelines or injuries

If you’re handling the claim alone, it’s hard to push back. But with a Tempe personal injury lawyer on your side, delays can be addressed directly—with legal consequences if necessary.

Reason #3: Liability Is in Dispute

Even if the crash seemed straightforward, liability can get messy in Arizona.

Because this is a comparative negligence state, fault can be split between drivers. That means even if the other person caused the crash, your settlement could be reduced if the insurance company convinces a jury you were 20% at fault.

Common dispute scenarios:

• T-bone accidents at left turns

• Lane change collisions with no witnesses

• Parking lot crashes with no police report

• Distracted driving without direct phone records

Until fault is clearly established, your settlement is likely on pause.

Reason #4: There Are Multiple Insurance Policies Involved

Did your crash involve:

• A rideshare driver on the clock?

• A commercial vehicle?

• A government-owned vehicle?

• A multi-car pileup?

If so, multiple layers of insurance coverage may need to be sorted out before anyone can issue a check. In some cases, one policy may pay first (e.g., the rideshare company’s coverage), while others only kick in later.

Government-related claims also have shorter filing windows and special protocols, which you can read about on tempe.gov or azcourts.gov. But navigating them requires legal help if you want full compensation.

Reason #5: You’re Waiting on Documentation—or Didn’t Know You Needed It

It’s surprisingly easy to miss a key piece of documentation that stalls your entire claim. Common issues include:

• Missing or incomplete medical records

• No written diagnosis of long-term impact

• No proof of lost wages from your employer

• Incomplete pain journal or symptom tracking

• Lack of formal estimates for out-of-pocket expenses

A Tempe legal resource can help you gather these, but many people don’t realize what’s missing until months have passed and nothing is moving.

What You Can Do to Speed Things Up

Here’s what we recommend if you’re stuck in claim limbo:

1. Follow through with your treatment. Gaps in care are a red flag for insurers.

2. Track all expenses. Save receipts, co-pays, parking costs, lost wages—everything.

3. Ask your attorney for updates. A good one should be proactively checking in.

4. Don’t accept a quick offer. If it feels rushed, it’s probably because it’s too low.

5. File formal complaints if needed. az.gov allows you to report bad faith insurance practices.

If you haven’t yet hired an attorney—or if you’re working with one but still feel in the dark—consider a second opinion. Not all firms push aggressively. Some are just waiting like you are.

When to Be Concerned About a “Too Long” Delay

Delays are one thing. Being forgotten is another.

Red flags your case may be falling through the cracks:

• You haven’t heard from your lawyer in over 30 days

• The insurance company says they “never received” documents

• You’re done treating, but no demand letter has been sent

• No one has explained next steps or settlement expectations

• The statute of limitations is less than 6 months away

You can confirm your time limits using azcourts.gov or Tempe’s local court portal, but don’t wait too long. Arizona’s injury claim deadline is typically two years from the date of the crash—but shorter if government vehicles are involved.

Still Waiting? You Don’t Have to Be Powerless.

If your Arizona car accident settlement is taking longer than it should, you’re not out of options. But you do need to act—because time won’t work in your favor forever.

A Tempe car accident attorney who knows how to pressure insurers and file cases when needed can help you move things forward—or take over if things have stalled entirely.

You don’t pay unless we win. And you’re not committing to anything by reaching out. But you are giving yourself a shot at clarity, closure, and compensation that matches the real impact this crash had on your life.