Map milestones, not a promised date
Useful milestones may include completing an initial investigation, obtaining records, reaching a medical-information checkpoint, receiving a coverage position, exchanging a demand and response, or reaching a court deadline.
Identify dependencies
Timing can depend on access to records, the development of injuries, disputed responsibility, multiple parties, insurance questions, expert analysis, or a court schedule.
Distinguish claim time from court time
Before filing, much of the schedule may be informal. After filing, procedural rules, scheduling orders, discovery, motions, and trial availability can affect the sequence.
Ask for the next checkpoint
Instead of asking only how long the entire matter will take, ask what happens next, who is responsible, what information is missing, and when the next status review will occur.