The general timeline for settling a truck accident claim with State National Insurance is 6 to 18 months. We stress the word “general,” because at the end of the day, there is no way to predict just how long each case will take to settle.
Timelines for a truck accident injury claim depend on many factors, and it’s possible that less complicated cases with minimal injuries will settle within a few months. However, the vast majority of cases involve significant injuries, complex legal issues, and extensive medical treatments. Such accident claims will probably take between 1 and 3 years to resolve.
Why Do These Cases Take So Long to Settle?
It is incredibly frustrating for injury victims to wait on a settlement, and it doesn’t help that claims involving commercial trucks take considerably longer to settle than the average car accident case.
In this article, we will go over the variables that contribute to the settlement process when you file a claim with State National Insurance. That way, you can understand the reasons behind the extended timeline, and why it’s important to have patience and not rush into a settlement agreement.
We know this is easier said than done, and you are eager to put this matter behind you and move forward with your life. At the same time, your physical, emotional, and financial recovery depends on securing adequate compensation towards your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other monetary losses.
The truck accident lawyers of Normandie are here to help you through this challenging time in your life. You can count on us to fight tirelessly on your behalf and bring you the settlement you deserve if you were injured in a truck accident.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
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The Impact of Your Case Value on How Long It Takes to Reach a Settlement
Insurance claims that are based on permanent disability and severe injuries will take more time to investigate. The same principle applies in cases where the victim dies from the accident, which allows family members to seek wrongful death compensation. Aside from the investigation and review process, negotiating a settlement can take much longer than expected if your damages exceed $500,000.
How Long Do I have to File a Claim with State National Insurance?
It’s essential that you file an insurance claim as soon as possible if you or your loved one was injured in a truck accident. Please note that as a general rule, you have 2 years to file a personal injury lawsuit in California. A lawsuit can only be filed if the other party is unwilling to negotiate, meaning you have to file a claim and try to settle the matter privately with the insurance company. In short, there is a lot of ground to cover, and waiting to file a claim can put you at risk of running out of time for a lawsuit.
Starting Settlement Talks with the Negligent Party
In many cases, negotiations for a settlement begin soon after the accident. If you have an attorney, they will contact State National Insurance on your behalf with evidence of how the truck driver and/or trucking company is at fault and the damages you are seeking as a result. If the insurance company is willing to negotiate, the matter may be settled within 6 months.
If negotiation attempts do not work out, you have 2 years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. Whether a truck accident claim will progress to a lawsuit is another factor we can’t predict, which is why it’s impossible to say just how long it will take to settle a commercial truck accident claim.
Does Hiring an Attorney Speed up the Settlement Timeline?
Yes, hiring a truck accident attorney right away can absolutely speed up the settlement process, compared to handling an insurance claim on your own. A seasoned truck accident injury or wrongful death lawyer understands how to investigate these accidents and leverage evidence to maximize your compensation and settle the case faster.
Issues That can Slow Down the Settlement Process
Just like some factors can speed up the case resolution process, others can slow things down and add to the amount of time it takes to settle a State National Insurance truck accident claim. These variables include, but are not limited to:
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Insurance coverage limits
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Catastrophic injuries or death
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Multiple parties that are responsible for the incident
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If you have pre-existing medical conditions
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Comparative negligence, i.e., if you are partly to blame for the accident
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If your case proceeds to a trial
How Long Does It Take to Get Paid after the Claim is Settled?
Once you and the defendant agree on the amount to be paid, it can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks to get your settlement check. The wait time is needed to ensure that all the documents and releases for the settlement are reviewed and signed by both parties. Once the paperwork is processed, your settlement check is released by the insurance company.
Contact Normandie Law Firm
Settling a truck accident claim is a time-consuming affair, even when the details are relatively simple and straightforward. Working with a lawyer experienced in claims with State National Insurance is the most effective way to settle your case and obtain the funds you need in order to move on with your life.
Our law firm operates on contingency, so you pay $0 in legal fees when you agree to have us represent you. The settlement check at the end of your case includes the money that is owed to us, and this is how we get paid. If we fail to recover your damages, you owe us nothing, no matter how time and effort we invested.
If you have any questions or concerns about the claims process for a truck accident case, contact our office to schedule a free consultation.
