A truck accident claim filed with PMA Insurance can take anywhere from 3 months to over 2 years to settle. If the injuries you suffered are mild to moderate, it’s possible a settlement will be negotiated in 6 months or less. But those with severe injuries and extensive property damage may need to wait 1 or more years before they receive compensation from an insurance claim. With commercial truck accidents, most claimants have fairly serious to catastrophic injuries, so 1 to 2 years is not an unusual amount of time to settle one of these cases.
Why is It Taking So Long to Settle My Case?
We understand all too well the frustration that our clients are dealing with as they wait on a settlement check from an accident that was caused by someone else. And having patience is easier said than done when you are left with exorbitant medical costs and other expenses.
Ultimately, accepting or declining a settlement offer from the insurance company is completely up to you. However, we implore you to take a step back and consult a truck accident lawyer before you agree to anything that’s offered by PMA Insurance. Far too many victims have rushed to accept the first offer and ended up regretting it when the money runs out entirely too soon. This is why it’s helpful to hire a truck accident injury lawyer right from the start.
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Case Values and Their Impact on the Timeline to Settle a Truck Accident Claim
The total sum of your damages can play a crucial role in how long it takes to reach a settlement. You must always keep in mind that insurance companies are profit-based businesses, and the best way to maximize profits is by denying claims or paying you the lowest amount they can get away with. So, the greater your case value, the more resistance you will face from PMA Insurance. But high value cases also take more time to investigate, and this is another factor that will prolong the settlement process.
What if the Insurance Company Refuses to Negotiate?
You as the claimant are not obligated to accept a settlement offer from PMA Insurance. In fact, it’s unwise to jump on the initial offer, as the company is testing the waters and seeing if they can get away with a lowball settlement. This is why settlement offers are exchanged back and forth in most cases, and hopefully, you and the insurance provider will eventually come to an agreement.
If the insurance company is refusing to negotiate in good faith, you can move on to litigation, i.e., filing a lawsuit. Many people are scared of this step, as they believe it will lead to a trial, meaning it can take several years to get paid from an auto accident claim. While this is true, over 90% of lawsuits are settled without any intervention from the court system. However, a case will take longer to settle once it’s in litigation, and this is another element than can affect how long your claim will take to settle.
Does Hiring a Lawyer Really Make a Difference?
Yes, for the vast majority of claimants, hiring a lawyer experienced in truck accident cases make a huge difference in how and when their case is settled. Unless you are one of the few lucky ones, there are various complications that will come up during a truck insurance claim, and this is largely due to the devastation that’s often associated with these accidents. These cases involve more destruction, complex federal regulations, and more intense scrutiny than the average car accident case. With that in mind, cases can be easily derailed or stuck in limbo, and the average victim does not know how to overcome these hurdles.
That’s why our law firm is here for you 24/7, and we are more than ready to guide you through the legal system, step by step. Just contact our office at your earliest convenience and talk to a California truck accident lawyer.
Variables That can Extend the Settlement Process
In this section, we will take a closer look at the factors that can slow down the settlement timeline. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list, but it will give you a good idea of the issues that you may need to deal with:
- If you have catastrophic injuries
- Case values in the 6 to 7 figure range
- Insufficient insurance coverage
- Liability for the accident is split between multiple parties
- You as the victim are partially at fault (comparative negligence)
- If the case proceeds to a trial
By working with a truck accident attorney, you can work through these issues much more efficiently and reach the finish line on a truck accident insurance claim with PMA Insurance
When will the Insurance Company Mail My Check?
Unless your case goes to trial (which is very rare), you and PMA Insurance will eventually come to an agreement on the amount you are owed. At that point, things still have to be formalized in writing, and the exchange of contracts and releases for the settlement, which must be reviewed and signed by all the involved parties, can take up to several weeks. So, you can expect a waiting period of 2 to 6 weeks before your check is mailed out from the insurance company.
Ways to Speed Up a Truck Accident Settlement
We have stressed throughout this article that truck accident settlement timelines are based on many variables, and some of these are beyond one’s control. But hiring a lawyer is completely up to you, and this is one of the most effective ways to accelerate the process of settling a PMA Insurance truck accident claim.
Our attorneys have a tried and true method of gathering evidence, building a compelling case, and negotiating for the highest possible settlement. By working with one of our legal experts, you can resolve your case in a timely manner without sacrificing the compensation you need and deserve.
Deadline to File a Truck Accident Claim in California
California imposes a statute of limitations on all personal injury claims, including truck accident cases. Please note that you have 2 years from the accident date to file a lawsuit against the trucking company or any other party that is liable for the incident. There are very few exceptions to this rule, so it’s crucial to get started on a claim with PMA Insurance right away. Otherwise, you could end up running out of time for a lawsuit and forfeiting the compensation you would normally be entitled to.
Zero Fee Guarantee
At Normandie Law Firm, we have a policy known as the Zero Fee Guarantee. We agree to represent you on a contingency basis, meaning that all legal fees are collected at the end of your case. In other words, instead of asking you to pay us upfront, a percentage of your settlement will go towards covering our expenses. That means we only get paid if you are compensated from a claim or lawsuit against PMA Insurance.
Taking advantage of this offer is easy; just contact our law firm and schedule a free consultation. Our legal team looks forward to fighting for you and securing the payment you deserve.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Truck Accident Claim with Century Insurance
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How Long Does It Take to Settle a Truck Accident Claim with National Truck Underwriting Managers, Inc.
