At this point, the settlement negotiation between you and the insurance company begins. Once you receive a low settlement offer, your lawyer will review it and advise you to reject it. Then, you will make a counteroffer for less than your initial claim. This back and forth is how negotiations work. You may end up exchanging multiple offers and counteroffers with the insurance company. They do not have much financial incentive to settle your case quickly, but they know you do. Eventually, the gap between the two parties may begin to narrow. The timing of your case may also depend on the size of your claim. You can expect a more detailed negotiation when your claim is more significant. The insurance company is more cautious about writing large checks, but there is also more room for a difference of opinion when the numbers are more significant. The timing of your settlement may also depend on what steps you have to take to get your money. Your settlement may be quicker when you file a claim and negotiate directly with the insurance company to agree. Even when you file a claim, there is no guarantee that things will happen quickly. A settlement can also happen when you file a lawsuit against the responsible driver. Your lawyer may advise you that the best thing for your case is to go straight to court. When you file a lawsuit, you are still dealing with the insurance company because they have a legal duty to defend their driver.