Sutter Insurance Company truck accident claims may take between 6 and 12 months to settle. Cases where the claimant has permanent, severe injuries can take around 1 to 2 years before compensation is issued to the victim of their loved ones. A small percentage of these cases are tried before a judge and jury, and that can bring the case timeline to 3 or more years. But it’s important to note that over 90% of all insurance claims – even when they reach the lawsuit stage – are settled out of court.
Why Does It Take So Long to Settle a Truck Accident Case?
Clearly, the length of time that is needed to settle a Sutter Insurance claim is hard to take when you are a victim of negligence or misconduct. After all, you are owed this money for expenses that were caused by someone else, and it’s difficult to be patient and wait out the weeks and months that go by. It may seem like nothing is being done for long periods of time, and that’s why it’s important to understand why these cases take so long to resolve.
Who is the Party at Fault?
With any personal injury, you have two sides – the people who are suing for bodily harm and devalued property, and those who are responsible for those damages. So, assigning liability for the accident is the first and foremost consideration when a truck insured by Sutter Insurance Company is involved in an accident.
Truck accident investigations involve many complexities, which include:
- If there were any violation of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations, either by the driver or the trucking company
- If a lack of maintenance and repairs could have played a role in the accident
- If the repairs / maintenance that was performed was not done properly (possible liability by the repair shop or dealership)
- If other drivers that were on the road at the same time caused or contributed to the accident
- If the accident was due to manufacturer negligence (defective parts, poor design, wiring issues, etc.)
The Investigation into the Accident
Compared to the average car accident, crashes and other events involving trucks have the potential to cause much more damage. That’s why accident investigation can take up to several months, and this is a necessary process to figuring out who is at fault and their degree of liability for the harm you suffered.
Coverage Limits Available for Injuries and Property Damage
The amount of coverage that’s offered under the policy terms can have a direct impact on settlement timelines. If the claimant’s damages exceed the defendant’s policy limits, there may be a longer dispute over what the victim is owed. Litigation may be needed in these cases (filing a lawsuit) in order to obtain the full value of their losses.
Achieving Maximum Medical Improvement
Recovery from an accident can mean you are fully healed from your injuries, or that you have achieved as much recovery as possible. For those with severe injuries, 100% recovery is unlikely, but there will come a point where they are at maximum medical improvement, or MMI. It’s essential that you hold off on any settlement agreements until you are at this point. Once you are at MMI, you can finally make an accurate determination of your medical needs, i.e., how much compensation you will need in medical expenses.
Negotiation a Settlement with Sutter Insurance
Negotiating a settlement can start at any time once you file a claim. Sometimes, insurance companies take the lead and make an offer to the claimant, even though the investigation has yet to conclude. This is a clever tactic, as victims are generally keen on recovering their losses and moving on with their lives. So, what is the problem with accepting a payment offer right away? Wouldn’t this be the quickest way to settle a truck accident claim with Sutter Insurance Company?
The problem here is that the insurance company is looking out for their interests, not yours. Frankly, it’s rare that an initial offer from the insurance provider is enough to cover the victim’s immediate and long-term needs. That means you run the risk of financial hardship in the future, while the insurance company gets away with paying you as little as possible.
Settlement negotiation talks can take weeks, if not months, and it’s important to be patient during this process. Each side needs time to review the terms of any proposed settlement and ensure that it’s in their best interest. If not, they will need to come up with a counteroffer and justify why the amount is appropriate. These exchanges can go back and forth multiple times, and this time period is a significant factor in how long a truck accident case takes to settle.
How Our Attorneys can Help
There is no legal requirement to hire a lawyer when you are the victim of negligence by someone else. Having said that, truck accident injury claims come with many challenges, and the legal process can be difficult to navigate on your own. Each little error or misunderstanding will make it that much harder to settle your case and move forward with your life.
By working with our team, you have the assurance of knowing that every aspect of your claim is handled with the care, knowledge, and experience we have gathered over the past several decades. This is the key to an efficient and favorable resolution when you are seeking compensation from Sutter Insurance Company.
Please note that we also provide second opinions on existing claims for truck accidents. If you have questions or concerns about your case and wish to discuss these issues with another attorney, don’t hesitate to contact our office. Your second opinion is completely free of charge, and there is no pressure to leave your current law firm or make any other commitments if you choose to speak with us.
Pay $0 to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer
Here at Normandie, we have a Zero Fee Guarantee that allows all clients to hire an attorney without paying a dime. To put it simply, you pay $0 upfront and agree that we will receive a percentage of the funds recovered from a claim against Sutter Insurance Company. So, if we fail to secure payment on your behalf, you owe us nothing, and we eat the costs associated with your case.
As you can see, there is nothing to lose by reaching out to us and learning about your rights and legal options. Please give us a call to schedule a free, confidential case review.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
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