Your case may go through several different phases before it is finally resolved. If a settlement cannot be agreed to within a reasonable amount of time, your attorney would file a lawsuit on your behalf. The Florida rules of civil procedure govern the amount of time that it takes to fully litigate and try a personal injury case in civil court. This time can be lengthy based on factors such as the jurisdiction, the caseload of the judge, and complexity of the cause of action, so there is no easy answer.