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How Long Does a Car Accident Trial Last?

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Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C.

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Written/Reviewed By:

Barry S. Kantrowitz, Esq.

Last Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Read Time: 4 mins

The trial for a car accident lawsuit generally lasts a day or two, though some trials may require several more days to complete. If you were injured in a car accident and file a lawsuit against an at-fault driver or other negligent party for compensation to cover medical bills, property damage, and other losses, your claim will most likely resolve in a settlement without the case ever going to trial. If the at-fault party is unwilling to agree to a fair settlement, however, the case may go to trial. Car accident lawsuits may not reach the trial stage until months or even over a year after the initial claim is filed.

The New York and New Jersey car accident attorneys at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. can explain what to expect when you file a lawsuit and give you clear, realistic expectations for how long the process will take. Our goal is always to procure the largest available damages amount for our clients in the most efficient and expeditious manner possible. While the great majority of car crash cases resolve with a settlement, we have the experience and skills to take your case to trial if necessary to ensure you receive the full and fair settlement you deserve.

What Happens Before a Car Accident Lawsuit is Tried?

After you file your lawsuit, the defendant (the party who is alleged to be negligent) in your case will file a written response to your claims. The parties can then file motions to dismiss some or all of each other’s claims or proceed directly into discovery, where the parties exchange information about their theories of liability and damages. At any time in this process, either party can offer to settle the case.

If the case does not settle, the court will set a date for the trial to begin. That date is typically several months or more after the initial filing date of the lawsuit. Judges have substantial leeway to schedule trials as they see fit in accordance with the volume of cases that are in their courts. When a court docket is unusually busy, the judge might not schedule a trial until well after the accident or lawsuit filing dates.

How Long Will the Car Accident Trial Last?

A jury trial will last a day or two longer than a bench trial, where only the judge evaluates the facts of the case. The parties will generally agree on the issues that will be addressed at trial, and the testimony from eyewitnesses and experts and other evidence presented will focus on those issues. Most car accident cases revolve around one or both of two matters:

The relative liability of the parties — Each party will present evidence on how the accident happened and who bears primary responsibility for losses and injuries
The injured party’s damages – The party that filed the lawsuit will present evidence of hospital invoices and doctor bills, lost wages and diminished earnings opportunities, accident-related expenses, and pain and suffering associated with injuries.

When Will Damages Be Paid If You Win?

Car accident damages are often paid by the liable party’s insurance company. If a judge or jury rules against a defendant and awards damages to the plaintiff, the insurance payment for those damages will probably be paid out within two to six weeks after the lawsuit ends. The same is true if the case settles prior to trial, with damages being paid two to six weeks after the settlement agreement between the parties is signed.

Damages payments will be delayed if either party appeals the verdict in the lawsuit. Keep in mind that several months might elapse between the filing date of your lawsuit and the date on which damages are agreed upon or awarded.

You can improve your chances of receiving a timely compensation payout by reaching out to an experienced lawyer to handle your matter as soon as is possible after your accident.

Call the Car Accident Lawyers at KGG

Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. represents injured car accident victims in Rockland County, Bergen County, and elsewhere in New York and New Jersey. Please use the online form or call us to consult with a seasoned car accident lawyer at our firm as soon as possible after your car accident. Many factors affect how quickly a case will be resolved, whether the case will go to trial, and how long a trial will last. We understand how important this information is for our clients and we pledge to maintain open lines of communication with you through every step of the process. Call us today to get started with a free, no-obligation case review.

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Client Reviews

    
 
 
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   LWelsh 
 1 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Clever and efficient.
  
 
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   Kenny Perlow 
 22 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. KGG Law, and Barry Kantrowitz in particular, set the bar high for what a thorough, practical, strategic, compassionate and smart lawyer can be. Everything about Barry's advice and representation was exemplary and the stress mitigation that resulted was invaluable. On top of that, the ultimate result Barry achieved was beyond what was reasonable to expect and we are forever grateful. Often, people say that you hire a lawyer to prevent a problem. Sometimes, unfortunately, you need an attorney to solve a problem and I could not recommend Barry and his firm any more highly in that regard.
  
 
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   Aliza Ali 
 86 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My dad had a great experience with this law firm. From the very beginning, the team was professional, knowledgeable, and always willing to answer our questions. They kept us informed throughout the entire process and made what could have been a very stressful situation much easier to handle. We truly appreciated their dedication, honesty, and hard work. Thanks to their support, my dad felt confident every step of the way. We are very grateful for everything they did and would highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for reliable legal representation.
  
 
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   Jana Montero 
 89 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a wonderful experience working with Sam Smith. He was very responsive, thorough, and easy to work with from start to finish. He walked me through everything clearly and made what started as a very stressful situation for me into something completely manageable. I would not hesitate to recommend him and the firm!
  
 
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   Mike Sakmann 
 95 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I sought legal advice regarding an employment matter and had an excellent experience working with Sam Smith, Esq. at KGG Law. Sam was thorough, attentive, and took the time to listen carefully to my concerns before providing clear, thoughtful guidance. I appreciated the professionalism and care shown throughout the process, and I would confidently recommend KGG Law to anyone in need of legal assistance.
  
 
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   Liz Hecker 
 101 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can't say enough about this firm. They manage to comfort you during the whole legal process while staying professional and doing what is right. I would recommend them to anyone and also hire them again if I need legal help.
  
 
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   Brandy Miller 
 124 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate is the best. She helped me very quickly, and was very attentive with all of my needs. So thankful for her
  
 
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   Mike Greenspan 
 137 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate Carballo is a dedicated, passionate, and creative attorney whom I had the pleasure to lecture with at a state trial lawyer's conference. Kate's lecture demonstrated how she uses her innovative and "out-of-the-box thinking" to achieve outstanding results for her injured clients. That Kate is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney is a testament to her skills, experience and commitment to excellence.
  
 
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   Jonathan Sampson 
 144 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Was referred to KGG law by a friend and could not have asked for better legal representation. They walked me through every step of the process after my accident and began every call with “ how are you feeling” which was just one example of how much they care about their clients. They handled my case very efficiently, professionally and courteously. My attorney Kate Carballo was a rock star! So clearly experienced, she consistently made me feel at ease with the process. Highly recommend
  
 
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   Vinnie Kung 
 147 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great experience with the team at KGG Law. While it was a traumatic time for our family, they made it very easy for us and explained all of our options. They even performed due diligence to make sure that after our settlement, there would be no further issues which I think is even more important than the settlement itself. Thank you!

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How Long Does a Car Accident Trial Last?

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