Commercial truck accident claims may take anywhere from 3 to 24 months to settle, with the average case taking between 6 and 12 months. Claims that are especially complex will take over 1 year from start to finish, and more than 3 years if you take your case to trial.
Truck accidents have the potential to cause life-altering injuries and death to one or more people. As someone who was hurt in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress. Our law firm can help you understand your rights and walk you through the process of filing a claim with Great American Insurance Group. Legal representation is particularly important if you cannot resolve your claim directly with the insurance company and need to file a lawsuit against the party at fault.
We are ready to hear your story and help you determine the best course of action. Please schedule a free case evaluation by contacting our office.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$1.5 Million
$1.5 Million
$2 Million
$1.5 Million
$734,851
$600,000
What Factors Prolong a Settlement for a Truck Accident?
Many different factors can add to the length of time it takes to get paid from an insurance claim. Variables that may apply to your situation include, but are not limited to:
- Your injuries and whether you will have long-term or permanent complications. The more extensive your injuries and recovery needs, the longer it takes to settle a claim for monetary compensation.
- The evidence that’s available and how long it will take to review. Sorting through photos and videos, witness statements, accident scene recreations, medical records, and other evidence can take months, not counting the time that it takes to obtain the necessary information.
- If your accident involves complex legal issues, like third party liability or shared responsibility for the accident by multiple drivers, including yourself. The more parties that are involved, the more difficult it can be for everyone to agree on a satisfactory settlement.
- How much money is at stake, which may be in the 7-figure range for disabling injuries or death to one or more victims. Due to the high case value, there may be less willingness to compromise and more efforts to deny liability, which will certainly extend the case timeline.
- Bad faith negotiations, meaning the insurance company is using stall tactics and other manipulative means to hold out on paying and pressure the claimant into a low settlement. Many of these cases require further legal action in the form of a lawsuit, and possibly, a trial.
Steps to a Truck Accident Settlement Case
All claims for a truck accident with Great American Insurance Group involve several stages, which we have outlined below:
Hiring a Qualified Attorney
There is no law requiring you to hire a lawyer, but it is highly recommended due to the complex nature of these cases. Legal representation can help you achieve maximum payment for your injuries, while ensuring a timely resolution to your claim.
Filing an Insurance Claim
A truck accident lawyer will handle every aspect of your case, including the insurance claim with Great American Insurance Group. Based on the complexity of the case, the process of filing an accident injury claim can take anywhere between a few weeks to several months.
The Investigation Process
Your lawyer’s investigation will uncover evidence to support your claim and show how the other party is at fault for the accident. A truck accident investigation can take 3 months or longer, based on how difficult the evidence is to obtain. If there are multiple entities that may be liable, concluding the investigation can take up to 6 months on average.
Settlement Negotiations
The ideal solution is for both parties to negotiate the compensation that is owed to the victim. Insurance companies are often quick to offer a settlement early in the case, but usually at a cost to the claimant. Make sure to have your lawyer review all settlement offers to ensure that you are getting a fair shake. A lawyer that specializes in commercial truck accidents can also make a counteroffer on your behalf and negotiate the best possible settlement on your behalf. Keep in mind that negotiating an insurance settlement can take months, and possibly over a year for cases with catastrophic injuries.
Trying Your Case in Court
Trials are only necessary if it’s absolutely impossible for you and the insurance company to reach an agreement. This is very rare, so it’s unlikely that your case will go before a judge and jury. If it does, the case resolution process for a truck accident claim may take over 3 years.
Tips for Settling Your Case Faster
At this point, you are probably wondering if there’s anything you can do to speed up a settlement with Great American Insurance Group. Here are some tips that can help you streamline the process:
- Consult a lawyer with many years of experience in truck accident insurance claims.
- Cooperate with requests from your attorney and the insurance company when they ask for information and documentation.
- Organize medical records, repair bills, photos of your injuries, and other evidence related to the accident, so they are easy to locate and refer to.
- While you don’t want to accept a settlement that’s too low, keep an open mind and be willing to negotiate.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney
As you can see, there are many issues that are involved when we consider how long it will take to settle a truck accident claim. We fully understand the challenges that are involved, as we have decades of experience in truck accident insurance claims. With a proven record of recovered settlements and trial verdicts, we are more than ready to guide you every step of the way and help you reach the finish line as fast as possible.
We also represent clients on a contingency basis, and that means you won’t be asked to cover legal fees at your own expense. Our payment is based on a percentage of the compensation recovered from a Great American Insurance Group accident claim. So, if you don’t get paid from a successful claim or lawsuit, neither do we.
Please take a moment to contact our law firm and schedule a free case review.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Truck Accident Tower Ins. Co. of New York
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Truck Accident Sutter Insurance Company
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Truck Accident Claim with Sentry Insurance