Every auto accident case is unique, however, with truck accidents there are some variables that will almost always come into play that won’t in a regular fender bender. Truck accidents can more easily result in multiple vehicle crashes with serious injuries. When there are more people involved and more serious injuries, this will usually make cases last longer. It is hard to put an exact number on just how long a truck accident case will take because these variables, along with others, all come into play. If a lawsuit has to be filed, more complex cases can last 2 years or more.
Truck accidents can happen in an instant and your life is forever changed. The most important thing immediately following an accident is your health. Injuries from truck accidents can be serious and life threatening. This will require medical treatment and you may be trying to decide if you need an accident attorney to help with your claim. With medical treatment for serious injuries, these bills can increase quickly, you may be missing time from work, and also may be wondering what damages you’re entitled to . In California, you have two years to file a personal injury claim from the date of the accident.
What can affect the length of a truck injury accident case?
Unless the case is clear as to who is at fault and the injuries are resolved fairly quickly, the case will take some time. Because truck accident cases are usually more complex, it is a safe bet they will take 1-2 years, if not longer. Here are some things that will affect how long a truck accident case lasts:
• How serious are the injuries? It’s likely that the injuries are going to be very serious. This will require a medical diagnosis, treatment, and then seeing how the victim responds to that treatment. Typically, attorneys will not file a case until the victim has fully recovered or gotten to maximum recovery because it gives a clear picture on what the damages are. However, in some cases, the injury will require medical treatment into the future and is something that is ongoing. The more severe the injury, the longer things will take because attorneys will want to make sure nothing is missed in your claim.
• Is the insurance company willing to negotiate in good faith? Insurance companies don’t like to pay a lot, but they also don’t like to go to court. After maximum recovery has been reached by the victim, attorneys will have a better idea of what amount to demand from the insurance company. This process will take some time because the insurance company will be evaluating the claim and requesting more information. Your attorney will try to settle the case for you before filing a lawsuit, but if the insurance company isn’t willing to pay a fair amount, you will have the option to accept it or file a lawsuit. This amount of time is added on to the time it takes to recover because this process doesn’t usually start until maximum recovery has been reached.
• Do you need to file a lawsuit? If the insurance company isn’t willing to give a fair settlement amount, you have the option to file a lawsuit for damages in the truck accident. This must happen within 2 years of the accident. If a lawsuit is filed, the parties will likely go through further investigation including discovery and depositions. If the case goes to trial, it will probably take close to 2 years to get there. This is on top of the recovery time and any time spent negotiating before filing a lawsuit.
Unfortunately, nothing with the courts is quick. A truck accident that results in serious and life-changing injuries is not something that should be dealt with lightly from any angle. This includes how the claims process and lawsuit is handled. Your truck accident attorney’s job is to do the best they can to get you compensated for the injuries you’ve sustained. It is important to know that this may take some time to get you there.
Many cases can be concluded in two years, but every case is different. There is no formula to put on how long an individual case will take. If you’d like a free case evaluation, please contact us at (916) 619-5452 or fill out our form on our website.
