If you recently filed a truck accident claim or if you’re thinking about filing one, you may be wondering how long it will take to resolve your case. Unfortunately, there’s no set timeline for these claims, and there are dozens of factors that could influence the total duration of the proceedings.
Those factors include:
- The Severity of Your Injuries
The insurance adjuster may try to convince you to accept a settlement within a few weeks of your injury, but negotiations should not commence until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement. Accepting a settlement essentially releases the insurance company from having to cover any additional damages that arise, so it’s not something you want to do until you know the full extent of your injuries.
Unfortunately, that means if you were severely hurt, the time it takes you to recover could extend the proceedings considerably. Although your debt might increase over that period, putting off the settlement negotiations might serve your long-term interests.
- The Strength of Your Evidence
If you don’t have strong evidence of liability and damages, the insurance adjuster may be more likely to dispute your claim. Overcoming a dispute can take time and may increase the likelihood of ending up in alternative dispute resolution or court.
- The Opposing Party’s Willingness to Cooperate
In some truck accident claims, the liable party is simply uncooperative. Refusing to offer a fair settlement early in the proceedings is actually a common tactic used by insurance adjusters to get claimants to accept low payouts. They may also contest evidence and drag out the proceedings in other ways so your debt mounts and you have more incentive to settle.
- Whether the Case Goes to Trial
If the opposing party is refuses to offer a fair settlement despite compelling evidence of liability and damages, your case might end up in alternative dispute resolution or trial. Naturally, entering these proceedings will add to the total duration of your case.
If you go to trial, it could take months or even years to resolve your case. At the end of the day, though, litigation may be the best option to pursue the compensation you deserve. If you hire a seasoned trial lawyer, you can rest assured that if a settlement cannot be reached, you will have a reliable legal ally to represent your interests in court.
Call 800-770-7008 to Speak with a Truck Accident Lawyer in Minneapolis
If you were hurt in a collision with a tractor-trailer, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim against the truck driver, motor carrier, and/or another party. To discuss your case with a seasoned truck accident attorney and determine the most strategic way to proceed, contact Bradshaw & Bryant.
We will work closely with both the insurance adjuster and your healthcare providers to ensure you are being treated properly while your case receives the attention it deserves. Call 800-770-7008 or use our Online Contact Form to set up a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Minneapolis.
A founding partner with Bradshaw & Bryant, Mike Bryant has always fought to find justice for his clients—knowing that legal troubles, both personal injury and criminal, can be devastating for a family. Voted a Top 40 Personal Injury "Super Lawyer" multiple years, Mr. Bryant has also been voted one of the Top 100 Minnesota "Super Lawyers" four times.
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