There is no set time for the legal process of a car accident. Every accident has unique circumstances that will, along with other factors, affect how long the legal process takes. A serious car accident that caused extensive damage and personal injuries will take longer to settle than a small fender-bender. At a minimum, a simple case may take a few months to resolve, whereas a complicated one can go on for several months or even years. This discussion explains how the legal process for a car accident typically plays out in Washington DC.