Quick Answer A car accident case in New York typically takes 6 months to 2 years to resolve. Timeline depends on injury severity, treatment duration, whether surgery is needed, and litigation complexity. Cases settle faster with strong medical documentation from the start.

The Typical Timeline

Most New York No-Fault and PI cases fall into one of three categories: cases that settle through No-Fault arbitration within 6 to 18 months; cases that settle through PI litigation within 18 to 36 months; and cases that go to trial, which can take 3 to 5+ years from the accident date depending on court calendars.

Factors That Extend the Timeline

  • Ongoing medical treatment — you generally cannot settle until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI)
  • No-Fault disputes and IME denials requiring arbitration
  • Disputed liability (who caused the accident)
  • Complex injuries requiring multiple specialist evaluations
  • Court backlogs in New York City

What Accelerates Resolution

The single most important factor in case resolution is the quality and completeness of the medical record. Cases with comprehensive, objective, consistent clinical documentation from a facility like MAIC — MRI findings, specialist evaluations, functional impact data, and a strong causation narrative — are more likely to resolve at a fair value without protracted litigation.

The medical evaluation process begins at (888) 991-5290 — the sooner the better.