{"id":353027,"date":"2017-03-27T14:19:27","date_gmt":"2017-03-27T19:19:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/car-accidents\/car-accident-arbitration-process-and-timeline.html"},"modified":"2025-12-04T23:53:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T04:53:00","slug":"car-accident-arbitration-process-and-timeline","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/car-accidents\/car-accident-arbitration-process-and-timeline.html","title":{"rendered":"Car Accident Arbitration Process and Timeline"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Car Accident Arbitration Process and Timeline<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Ty McDuffey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Car accident arbitration is an out-of-court process where a neutral arbitrator decides your insurance dispute. It\u2019s faster and less expensive than a trial. Arbitration awards are usually legally binding, so preparation and strong evidence are key to maximizing your settlement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

You just received the car insurance carrier’s final settlement offer. It’s far lower than the amount you requested. You firmly believe your car accident insurance claim is worth more. Now what?<\/p>\n

Most car insurance policies let you resolve your dispute through an\u00a0out-of-court process called arbitration<\/a>. Less formal than a courtroom jury trial, arbitration is a legal proceeding where you and the insurance company present information about your claim to a neutral referee, known as an arbitrator. Arbitration awards are generally legally binding and not appealable.<\/p>\n

Arbitration can be a good choice for resolving settlement disputes. It can save you time and money. If you live in a\u00a0no-fault insurance state<\/a>, you may be required to arbitrate your car accident settlement disagreement. Read the insurance policy to see if car accident arbitration is an option for you.<\/p>\n

You’re not required to hire your own attorney for arbitration. However, the process can be adversarial and the decision is often final. A car accident attorney<\/a> can offer valuable guidance and increase your chances of an ideal outcome.<\/p>\n

Arbitration Timeline<\/h2>\n

A benefit of auto accident arbitration is that it can be scheduled much quicker and will usually cost less than a trial. Although each personal injury claim involves a unique set of circumstances, the following is a typical timeline in car accident arbitration:<\/p>\n