How Long Does an 18-Wheeler Lawsuit Take?
If you have been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, you might be wondering how long it might take to settle your claim and get the compensation you need from the at-fault party. The answer is – it depends on a wide range of factors. On average, an 18-wheeler claim can take anywhere from six months to two years – or even longer in some cases – to settle and of course no outcome can ever be guaranteed.
Factors That Can Impact How Long it Takes to Settle Your 18-Wheeler Claim
Severity of Your Injuries
Personal injury claims are usually settled only after the victim makes a full recovery or reaches what doctors call maximum medical improvement. It is because only after you recover or reach the point of maximum medical improvement can your attorney calculate the value of your claim.
If your injuries are catastrophic in nature, which is extremely likely in truck accidents, it can take several months – or more than a year – for you to recover. Because we want to make sure we know the full scope of your injuries and future needs, the settlement process can also go on for several months or even longer until we have this information from your doctors and you.
Number of Liable Parties
Depending on the circumstances, several parties including the truck driver, trucking company, loading company, shipping company, maintenance contractor, and truck and part manufacturer can be held liable for your injuries.
Your New York truck accident attorney can sort out the liability issues and find out who can be held accountable only after a detailed investigation, which can take months to complete.
The Willingness of the Insurance Company to Settle the Claim
In some cases, the at-fault party’s insurance company might make a reasonable settlement offer right off the bat, in which case your attorney might be able to settle the claim quickly.
In some other cases, they might refuse to negotiate in good faith and make lowball offers that might not even be a fraction of what you actually deserve, in which case your attorney might have to keep negotiating or choose to take the case to trial. Either way, it can take several months or more than a year to get the damages you deserve.
The Value of Your Claim
The higher the value of your claim, the longer it often takes to settle it, as the insurance company might try everything it possibly can to decrease its liability and reduce the value of your claim. Allegations of comparative negligence – wherein the insurance company might claim that you were also partly responsible for the accident – can also complicate the settlement process, as your attorney has to refute the insurance company’s allegations and get you the compensation you deserve.
Injured by an 18-Wheeler in New York? Our Truck Accident Attorneys Can Get the Compensation You Deserve!
Getting the compensation you deserve in an 18-wheeler accident claim can be an uphill battle. It is why you need a capable truck accident attorney on your side.
Attorney Michael S. Lamonsoff has extensive experience in handling truck accident claims and has a track record of obtaining substantial settlements and jury awards for his clients. His willingness to take on insurance companies and fight aggressively to get the best possible results for his clients has earned him the nickname ‘The Bull’.
We work on a contingency basis and you do not have to pay us a dime unless we recover compensation for you. Call our law firm today 212-962-1020 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with one of our New York 18-wheeler accident lawyers.