Thousands of people are injured or killed in crashes involving large trucks each year. If you suffered an injury, you may want to settle your claim as soon as possible so you can collect your money and move on with your life. However, you may leave money on the table if you settle too soon.

How long does an 18-wheeler lawsuit take? A Texas commercial truck accident typically takes one to two years to resolve. But the duration of a particular case is highly variable, depending on several different factors. Every case is different. Ultimately, it’s best to consult a skilled truck accident attorney about how long your case will take. 

Grossman Law Offices can be your trusted advocate whether your truck accident lawsuit resolves quickly or persists for several years. Call or contact us online today for a free, confidential consultation. 

Factors Impacting the Duration of a Truck Accident Lawsuit

Minor car accidents not involving traumatic injury or liability disputes can settle within a few weeks after the victim fully recovers. However, truck accident cases are much more complex. Several factors determine the duration of a truck accident lawsuit.

Liability for the Accident

Proving liability is critical if you are going to recover any compensation. You must prove that the truck driver or third party is responsible for the accident. When liability is clear, your case will generally proceed much faster. On the other hand, when there are factual disputes about liability, a resolution will likely take much longer. 

The Severity of Your Injuries

The extent of your injuries is one of the most significant factors determining the time it takes to resolve a large truck accident. The treatment period can range from months to years. 

While your attorney will get to work investigating your claim right away, you will typically wait to file your claim until you have recovered from your injuries (or at least reached a point of medical stability). That way you will have a better idea of your total damages and whether you are likely to have future costs relating to your injury. 

If you settle your claim before you know the full extent of your injuries or future damages, you may lose out on important compensation you will need down the road.

The Size of Your Settlement Demand

Insurers will do anything to avoid paying out large sums of money. Cases involving high dollar amounts take longer to settle. The insurance company will attempt to decrease its liability for the claim. In such cases, the insurance company will spend additional time investigating the cause to dispute liability and damages. 

Multiple Liable Parties 

Semi-truck accidents can be far more complex than most car accidents. It is not uncommon for truck accidents to involve multiple parties and several vehicles, too. Several parties can be responsible for an 18-wheeler accident, including:

• The truck driver,
• The trucking company,
• The shipping company,
• Road crews,
• Government entities,
• Drivers of other automobiles,
• Maintenance and repair companies, and
• Truck and part manufacturers and distributors.  

Different companies often own, lease, and load the truck. Another company may be responsible for transporting the cargo. Each party may share fault. 

Determining liability involves a thorough investigation to develop the evidence. Each party may try to deflect liability to another party. Your attorney or other entities may need to hire experts to help with the investigation. Sorting all this out takes time and adds to the lawsuit’s length. 

An Experienced Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help

If you suffered an injury in an 18-wheeler accident, Grossman Law Offices is here for you. With an attorney by your side, you’ll be well-positioned to determine whether any offer fairly compensates you to the fullest extent of your damages. While most claims settle, filing a lawsuit increases the timeline to resolve the case. Going to trial might not occur until more than a year after filing a lawsuit. In some cases, however, going to trial might be the best option to fully recover the compensation you deserve in a truck accident case. 

For over 30 years, our attorneys have helped accident victims recover the compensation they deserve. We have achieved successful case outcomes for thousands of clients and will put this experience to work for you. Call the Grossman Law Offices anytime for a free and confidential consultation.