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How Long Does It Take to Settle a Truck Accident Case?
A truck accident case may take 6 months to 2 years or more to settle. However, this is just an estimate. The exact timeline depends on the severity of the injuries, the clarity of the fault, and the time it takes to gather medical records and evidence.
This guide explains the duration truck accident cases take to settle, why they may take long, and reasons for unexpected delays. More about our truck accident attorneys in Washington D.C. here
Click below to jump right in:
- How Long Does It Take to Settle a Truck Accident Case?
- Why Truck Accident Cases Take Time to Settle
- Other Factors that Affect How Long a Truck Accident Case Takes to Settle
Read on to learn these and more.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Truck Accident Case?
A truck accident case can take 6 months to 2 years or more to settle. This is just a rough estimate. It is impossible to predict exactly how long it will take to settle. Some simple cases can be resolved in a few months. But serious cases involving major injuries, commercial trucking companies, or multiple parties can take much longer.
The timeline depends on the severity of the injuries, how clear the fault is, and how long it takes to gather and review the evidence. It also depends on whether the case settles out of court or goes to trial.
Why Truck Accident Cases Take Time to Settle
Truck accident cases take time to settle because they are more complex than regular car accidents. They often involve serious injuries, large insurance policies, and multiple companies or people who could be responsible. To reach a fair result, truck accident cases require more proof, experts, and investigation.
- Truck Accidents Usually Involve Severe Injuries
Truck accidents often cause more damage than car crashes. Trucks are bigger and heavier, so they hit harder. People often suffer serious injuries like broken bones, spinal injuries, or brain trauma in truck crashes. These injuries take time to treat. You might need months of care, surgery, or rehab.
Lawyers wait until doctors understand how bad your injury is. This helps ensure that the money you get covers both today and the future.
You may need to reach a point called maximum medical improvement before settling. This means your condition has stopped changing.
- Trucking Companies Use More Than One Insurance Policy
Truck drivers often work for large companies. These companies may use several insurance plans. Each one may try to avoid paying.
Some companies insure the driver. Others insure the trailer or the cargo. Still others insure the truck itself.
Lawyers need time to figure out who is responsible. Each insurance company will do its investigation.
- Federal and State Trucking Laws Add More Steps
Truck companies must follow strict safety rules, which are made by the government and are different from the rules for regular drivers.
Lawyers may need to check driver logs. They may also need to look at repair records or drug test results.
These steps take time. Sometimes, companies refuse to share documents right away. Lawyers may have to ask a judge to order them to share.
- Insurance Companies Often Delay on Purpose
When truck accidents cause serious injuries, the insurance company may slow things down. They know the case could cost them a lot of money.
They may ask for extra paperwork. They may say the injury isn’t serious. They may blame you instead of the driver.
They hope you will settle quickly for a small amount. A truck accident lawyer can help protect you from this.
- Multiple People May Be Injured in the Same Crash
Trucks can hit more than one car. That means several people may be hurt in the same accident.
Each person needs medical care and files a separate case. Insurance companies must look at every case before paying.
When this happens, your case moves slowly. The company needs time to assess the severity of each person’s injuries.
- Some Cases Go to Court and That Takes Time
Sometimes, the insurance company won’t pay a fair amount. If that happens, your lawyer may file a lawsuit.
A lawsuit adds more time to your case. The court has rules to follow and schedules to keep.
You and the other side must share information before trial. This is called discovery, and it can take months to finish.
Most cases still settle before a trial starts. However, preparing for court still takes time.
Other Factors that Affect How Long a Truck Accident Case Takes to Settle
Other factors can affect the timeline. These issues don’t come up in every case, but when they do, they can add weeks or even months to the process.
- Delays in Getting Medical Records or Bills
Before settling a case, your lawyer needs all your medical records and bills. These documents show your injuries and how much money you’ve already spent on treatment.
Sometimes, hospitals or clinics take a long time to send these records. They may require special forms or charge fees for copies. If your treatment involves many doctors or long-term care, it may take weeks just to gather all the paperwork.
Without this information, your lawyer cannot make a complete demand, and the insurance company will not negotiate seriously.
- Missing or Conflicting Accident Reports
Police reports help show what happened in the crash. But sometimes, they are missing, incomplete, or have errors. In these cases, lawyers may have to get extra documents or speak with officers to clarify things.
If there are witnesses who gave different stories, your lawyer may also need to track them down and take recorded statements. All of this takes time. The insurance company won’t move forward until the facts are clear.
- Claims Involving Government Vehicles or Agencies
If the truck involved in your crash was owned by a city, state, or federal agency, your case may face special delays. Claims against the government must follow strict legal steps.
In many states, you must file a formal notice of claim before you can sue a public agency. There are deadlines for this process, and the agency may take months to review the claim before any lawsuit can start.
Because of this, government-involved cases often move slower than regular cases.
- Ongoing Medical Treatment or Future Surgeries
If your doctor says you will need surgery or therapy in the future, your case may stay open until those treatments are finished or at least scheduled. This is important because your lawyer wants to include all future costs in your claim.
The longer your treatment plan is, the longer the settlement may take. Your lawyer needs a clear medical plan so the insurance company understands how much care you’ll need moving forward.
- Liens from Health Insurance or Medicaid
Sometimes, insurance companies or Medicaid pay your medical bills while your case remains active. You may have to pay that money back if you get a settlement.
Before receiving your full payment, your lawyer may need to negotiate with the health insurance company or Medicaid office. This process is called resolving medical liens, and it can take several weeks or longer.
Until the liens are cleared, you may not be able to collect your final settlement check.
- Disputes Over Pre-Existing Injuries
If you had back pain, neck issues, or other health problems before the crash, the insurance company may argue that your injuries weren’t caused by the truck accident.
In this case, your lawyer must show the difference between your old and new injuries. This often requires doctor letters or expert opinions, which can take time.
Proving this is important so you don’t lose part of your settlement.
- High-Value Claims Often Take Longer
Your case is worth more money if your injuries are severe or permanent. Large settlements mean more risk for the insurance company, so they will look for ways to lower the payout.
They may request extra reports, second opinions, or even surveillance. While these steps slow things down, they’re common in cases worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.
Waiting longer in these cases often results in a better outcome.
FAQs
How long does it take to negotiate a truck accident settlement?
It may take a few weeks to several months to negotiate a truck accident settlement. It depends on how strong the evidence is, how severe the injuries are, and how quickly the insurance company responds.
What is the longest a settlement can take?
A truck accident settlement can take up to 2 or 3 years or longer if the case goes to trial. Complex cases with serious injuries or disputed fault often take the most time to resolve.
How fast can you get truck accident settlement money?
After a settlement is reached, you can get the money within 30 to 60 days. The timeline depends on the state laws, the insurance company’s process, and whether there are liens or legal steps to complete.
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