Guide · Settlements · All states

How long does an injury settlement take?

Updated October 9, 2026By Spencer, editorEvery fact cites a source

In the newest large study, people with a lawyer waited a median of nearly 440 days for an injury claim to close. In New Jersey, the other driver's insurer must generally pay or explain an injury claim within 90 days. Once you agree, it must pay within 10 working days. Checked October 9, 2026.

Sources: Insurance Research Council, Auto Injury Insurance Claims: A Study of Increasing Claim Severity (July 2026); N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.6(b), (e); N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.7(a), (b), (c)(2), (c)(3), (e), (f)

What the data shows

The Insurance Research Council studied more than 7.4 million auto injury claims closed with payment from mid-2017 to mid-2022. People with a lawyer waited a median of nearly 440 days for their claim to close. The council is supported by insurers, and a median can't tell you how one claim will go.

Source: Insurance Research Council, Auto Injury Insurance Claims: A Study of Increasing Claim Severity (July 2026)

NJNew Jersey's clock for insurers

New Jersey doesn't set a deadline for the whole settlement. It sets deadlines for each step the insurer takes.

Acknowledge your claimN.J.A.C. 11:2-17.6(b)10 working days
Start investigatingN.J.A.C. 11:2-17.7(a)10 working days
Pay or explain your PIP medical claim, once your insurer has the billsN.J.A.C. 11:2-17.7(b)60 days
Pay or explain an injury claim against the other driverN.J.A.C. 11:2-17.7(c)(3)90 days
If it needs longer, say why in writingN.J.A.C. 11:2-17.7(e)Every 45 days
Pay a settlement you've agreed toN.J.A.C. 11:2-17.7(f)10 working days

Source: N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.6(b), (e); N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.7(a), (b), (c)(2), (c)(3), (e), (f)

What can stretch it

A clear justificationIn New Jersey, the insurer's limits can stretch when a clear justification exists. It must then tell you why in writing, every 45 days.Source: N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.6(b), (e); N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.7(a), (b), (c)(2), (c)(3), (e), (f)
Having a lawyer changes the lettersIn New Jersey, the every-45-day letters stop for the parts of a claim where you have a lawyer.Source: N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.6(b), (e); N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.7(a), (b), (c)(2), (c)(3), (e), (f)
A child's settlement needs a judgeIn New Jersey, a judge decides whether a child's injury settlement is fair and reasonable before it's final.Source: R. 4:44-3; R. 1:21-7(c)(6)
No agreementIf you and the insurer can't agree, only a judge or jury can decide how much another person owes you.Source: New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Filing an Auto Damage Claim with Another Insurer, FAQ 22 and 23

Source: N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.6(b), (e); N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.7(a), (b), (c)(2), (c)(3), (e), (f); R. 4:44-3; R. 1:21-7(c)(6); New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Filing an Auto Damage Claim with Another Insurer, FAQ 22 and 23

NJThe deadline that doesn't wait

Talks with an insurer don't stop the clock on a lawsuit. You must either accept a final settlement or file a lawsuit within the time the statute of limitations allows. In New Jersey, that's generally 2 years after the injury.

Date of the injury

Notice to a public entity: 90 days after: January 7, 2027N.J.S.A. 59:8-8
Late notice, only if a judge allows it: 1 year after: October 9, 2027N.J.S.A. 59:8-9
Lawsuit, the general rule: 2 years after: October 9, 2028N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2(a)

This is date math from the general rules, not your deadline. The exceptions on this page, and how the last day is counted, can change the real date. A lawyer can tell you yours.

Source: New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Filing an Auto Damage Claim with Another Insurer, FAQ 22 and 23; N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2(a)

Sources

Insurance Research Council, Auto Injury Insurance Claims: A Study of Increasing Claim Severity (July 2026)Claims closed from mid-2017 to mid-2022, including time to close. Checked October 9, 2026.
N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.6(b), (e)Cornell Legal Information Institute, New Jersey Administrative Code. Checked October 7, 2026.
N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.7(a), (b), (c)(2), (c)(3), (e), (f)Cornell Legal Information Institute, New Jersey Administrative Code. Checked October 9, 2026.
R. 4:44-3New Jersey Court Rules, via Court Rules Network. Checked October 7, 2026.
R. 1:21-7(c)(6)New Jersey Court Rules, via Court Rules Network. Checked October 7, 2026.
New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Filing an Auto Damage Claim with Another Insurer, FAQ 22 and 23New Jersey's insurance department on claims with the other driver's insurer. Checked October 9, 2026.
N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2(a)Justia, 2025 New Jersey Revised Statutes. Checked October 7, 2026.
N.J.S.A. 59:8-8Justia, 2025 New Jersey Revised Statutes. Checked October 9, 2026.
N.J.S.A. 59:8-9Justia, 2025 New Jersey Revised Statutes. Checked October 9, 2026.

General information, not legal advice. We don't know the facts of your claim. A lawyer can review them, and most injury lawyers offer a free consultation.

Questions people ask

How long does a car accident settlement take?

In the newest large study, people with a lawyer waited a median of nearly 440 days for an injury claim to close. A median can't tell you how one claim will go.

How long does an insurance company have to settle a claim in New Jersey?

The other driver's insurer must generally pay or explain an injury claim within 90 days. If it needs longer, it must say why in writing every 45 days.

How long after a settlement do you get paid in New Jersey?

Once a settlement is agreed, the insurer must pay within 10 working days of getting the agreement, or of you meeting its conditions if that's later.

Does the statute of limitations stop while I negotiate with the insurer?

No. New Jersey's insurance department says you must either accept a final settlement or file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations. Generally that's 2 years after the injury.