There is no set timeline for settling a truck accident lawsuit, as each case varies greatly. As such, various aspects can affect its timeline, such as:
- Your injuries and the extent and intensity of your medical care
- The parties involved
- Settlement negotiations
- The statute of limitations
A Boca Raton truck accident lawyer at our law firm can help streamline your case, assuming all related tasks. They will collect evidence, identify liable parties, engage in settlement negotiations, and ensure your case is filed within the legal deadline. Your attorney will offer these services on a contingency fee basis.
Injury Severity and Medical Care Impact Your Truck Accident Settlement Timeline
Because of the weight and size of trucks, victims often suffer severe injuries in a crash, such as:
- Fractures or broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries
- Chest injuries
- Abdominal trauma
- Lacerations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal bleeding
In most cases, the more serious your injuries are, the longer and more intense your medical treatment will be. For example, if you only sustained soft tissue injuries in the crash, you might just need to rest, take over-the-counter medications, and follow up with the doctor a few times.
On the other hand, should you have broken your leg, you might need physical therapy, medical devices, and several doctor’s appointments. As a result, your lawsuit could take longer to settle than had you incurred soft tissue injuries.
Why Prompt Medical Attention Matters for Truck Accident Victims
It is crucial for you to get medical attention as soon as possible after a truck crash. If the situation calls for it, you could call an ambulance to take you to the hospital or see your primary care doctor. A prompt visit will help ensure your safety and well-being. Delaying medical attention increases the risk of injuries worsening over time.
On top of that, you will protect your right to monetary compensation. The more time that goes by between the crash and seeing a doctor, the more difficult it can be to link the two events. In that case, the insurance company might claim that you are not as hurt as you say you are or that something else caused your injuries. Their resistance to compensating you could drag out your case.
Make sure you follow your doctor’s advice, too. If you stray from their plan, you could set back your recovery, and the insurer might blame you for making your injuries worse. Then, as with the previous scenario, it might take longer to settle your case.
How Multiple Liable Parties Can Affect Your Truck Accident Claim
There tend to be multiple parties involved in truck accidents. Even if the truck driver was responsible for the crash, it is more than likely that they would not be the one liable for your damages. Instead, you would probably sue their employer, the trucking company. Under the principle of vicarious liability, employers are often financially responsible for their employees’ negligent actions.
However, there are times in which multiple parties could have played an active role in the truck accident, such as:
- The cargo company, if they did not properly load or secure cargo on the truck.
- The parts manufacturer, if they produced and sold a defective truck part, caused the truck to malfunction and the trucker to lose control of the commercial vehicle.
- Another driver, if they were speeding, making unsafe lane changes, or driving while fatigued.
- A government agency, if they did not address any road hazards.
Should the truck driver have been negligent and caused the crash, your case could go more quickly as opposed to the cargo company, trucker, and the trucking company all bearing fault. A Boca Raton commercial truck accident lawyer at our firm can collect evidence to determine all liable parties so that you can recover fair compensation.
Negotiations Affect How Long It Takes for Your Truck Accident Lawsuit to Settle
After your lawyer has assessed your damages and built your case, they present it to the liable insurance companies, requesting compensation from them. The insurance adjuster does not always offer a fair amount at first. Their reasoning could be:
- Insufficient evidence
- Missed deadlines
- Liability disputes
- Pre-existing conditions
- Your unsafe driving history
- Policy exclusions
If that happens, your attorney can enter into negotiations and fight for a fair settlement on your behalf. The timeline of these negotiations varies case by case. Once your attorney submits a counteroffer, the insurer may accept it and agree to pay the settlement, concluding the case. Then, the case is closed. However, settlement negotiations can take longer, or the insurer might even refuse to settle.
In that event, your Boca Raton personal injury lawyer can take your case to trial. This route is rare, as it is expensive and time-consuming, and insurance carriers generally prefer to resolve the case out of court.
Understanding Filing Deadlines in Your Truck Accident Case
The statute of limitations helps keep personal injury cases on track. According to Florida Statutes § 95.11, there generally is a two-year deadline to file a truck accident lawsuit. If you are filing for personal injury, the clock starts on the day of the trucking accident. However, if you are bringing a wrongful death action, it begins on the day of death.
It is vital for you to submit your lawsuit before the applicable deadline. Otherwise, your case could be rejected, and you might not have any more opportunities for financial compensation. Having a lawyer in your corner from the beginning can help you avoid this unfortunate outcome. They can get to work on filing and settling your truck accident lawsuit in a timely manner.
Get Help with Your Truck Accident Lawsuit Settlement by Contacting Our Firm Today
Although we cannot say exactly how long it will take to settle your truck accident lawsuit, you can count on GED Lawyers to protect your rights and fight for a proper compensation amount. With a proven record of successful outcomes, we are ready to assist. Connect with us today. We provide free consultations.
