How Long Will it Take to Resolve an 18 Wheeler Accident Injury Claim in Alabama?

If you have been involved in a car accident with an 18-wheeler in Alabama, you may be wondering about the timeline for your personal injury claim. As an experienced Alabama personal injury lawyer, Stephen Thompson often tackles such concerns, and here, we aim to provide clear insights into this process. The objective is to guide victims as they navigate the seemingly complex personal injury legal terrain.

The time taken to resolve a car accident involving an 18-wheeler injury claim varies widely on a case-by-case basis. Multiple factors influence the duration, including the complexities of the case, the extent of injuries, the number of parties involved, and the insurance companies’ willingness to settle.

Complexity of The Case

Cases involving 18-wheeler accidents tend to be more complex than typical automobile accidents. The complexity arises from the detailed investigations required, involvement of various parties (like trucking companies, drivers, and insurers), and stringent federal and state regulations governing commercial trucks. Establishing liability may require in-depth examination of trucking logs, maintenance reports, driver health records, and more. This meticulous process can significantly lengthen the time required to resolve the claim.

Extent of Injuries

Severe injuries, common in car and 18-wheeler collisions, often need lengthy treatment and rehabilitation periods. Detailed medical records are vital to substantiate a claim and lawyers typically prefer to have a full picture of the victim’s health prognosis before negotiating a settlement. This way, they can ensure all future medical costs, lost income, and potential disability costs are considered, which contributes to the length of the claim process.

Number of Parties Involved & Negotiations with Insurance Companies

In an 18-wheeler accident, multiple parties such as the trucking company, truck driver, and the truck’s manufacturer might be held liable. Dealing with multiple parties, each with their own insurance companies, can complicate and extend the process. Moreover, insurance companies can be reluctant to offer fair settlements and could delay the proceedings with pushbacks and negotiation tactics. An experienced truck injury lawyer like Stephen Thompson can skillfully navigate these challenges, advocating for your rights, and reaching a fair settlement.

Legal Action & Trip to the Courtroom

While a majority of personal injury claims settle out of court, some necessitate litigation. Filing a lawsuit and going to trial can considerably lengthen the process, taking as long as two to three years or more. However, sometimes this route is necessary to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Patience is Key

Given these varied factors, settling a car accident claim involving an 18-wheeler could take anywhere from a few months to several years. Remember, quick settlements often don’t reflect a full and fair compensation for your injuries and losses, and patience often results in better outcomes.

Conclusion

Attorney Stephen Thompson, an experienced personal injury lawyer in Alabama, works diligently to resolve your case as quickly as possible without compromising on the compensation you're entitled to. While we understand the urge to settle quickly, we strongly recommend that clients prioritize comprehensive settlements over rapid ones. A swift resolution might relieve short-term anxiety, but it could leave you unsupported in the long run.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident involving an 18-wheeler in Alabama, we invite you to contact Stephen Thompson for a free consultation. With an experienced personal injury lawyer guiding you, you can navigate the claims process effectively and secure the full and fair compensation that you deserve.

Free Initial Strategy Session

All Initial Strategy Sessions are Free. If you would like to discuss your options, you are invited to fill out one of the Contact Forms. I will attempt to contact you if I think I can help you.

During your Initial Strategy Session, I will asist you in creating a strategy on how to best pursue your claim, whether it be the result of a Car Accident Claim, 18 Wheeler Injury, or, Alabama Workers' Compensation Claim. At your Initial Strategy Session, you will receive the following:

• First - I will listen to your story. You will have a chance to tell everything to someone who wants to hear what happened to you.
• Based on the information that you provide, I will give you my best advice on both what claims you have, and the next steps you should consider to proceed with your claim(s).
• If your claim is something that I think I can help you with, I will explain the services that I can provide for you, and what the next steps are that we should take. We will start working immediately.
• If your matter is something that I do not think I can help you with, then I will attempt to put you in contact with another lawyer that might be able to help you.
• Either way, what should happen is we will put to rest some of the unkowns that you may be experiencing. We will start to shed some light on what you can expect, and how to best pursue the benefits you deserve.

Don't delay getting the recovery you deserve! Contact us today for your free Strategy Session!