How Long Will a Lawsuit Take If an 18-Wheeler Hits You?

When a truck accident survivor with serious injuries begins their recovery period after the initial trauma subsides, they may ask a truck accident lawyer in Seattle about the extensive damages associated with their injuries. About 70% of truck accident injuries occur to those in smaller vehicles, not the truck driver.

Large 18-wheeler trucks outweigh standard cars by as much as 76,000 pounds when fully loaded. When the truck driver, a negligent trucking company, or other entity associated with the truck causes an accident, an injured victim can recover damages through an injury claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party. 

When medical bills pile up at the same time an injury victim can’t return to work at their previous capacity—or at all—the question at the forefront of their mind is often, “How long does a lawsuit take after an accident with an 18-wheeler?”

The Typical Timeline for an Accident Claim After a Collision With an 18-Wheeler

No two accident claims are the same, just as no two accidents are identical. The time it takes for each step of the process depends on the complexity of the case. Typical cases take 6 to 18 months to end in a settlement, but some cases may take longer—especially if they require litigation in court.

The following process is the usual progression of an injury claim against an 18-wheeler truck driver or the trucking company:

• The accident survivor reports the accident to the police and their insurance company, obtains a copy of the police report, and often hires an attorney
• An insurance adjuster from the trucking company’s insurance company investigates the claim (with the goal of protecting profits) and the injury victim’s attorney also investigates to protect the injury victim’s best interests
• The investigation determines the cause of the accident and the source of the negligence to identify the liable party
• The attorney carefully calculates the injury victim’s damages to obtain the maximum compensation available
• The attorney presents a demand package to the insurance company with evidence of the trucking company’s liability (or the driver’s, truck maintenance company, or other entity, depending on the result of the investigation)
• Negotiation meetings take place to seek a settlement agreement
• If unable to reach an acceptable settlement agreement, the injury victim and their attorney may choose to pursue litigation in court

Only about five percent of truck accident cases require court litigation. A lawsuit in court takes longer than a settlement but often ends in a larger compensation amount through a jury verdict.

What Damages Can I Recover After an 18-Wheeler Accident?

Truck accidents are catastrophic scenes, particularly when they involve a collision between an 18-wheeler and a smaller passenger vehicle. Injury victims often suffer injuries with permanent impacts on their lives. These are their “damages” in a truck accident claim. Common damages recovered include:

• Property damage
• Medical expenses
• Future medical costs
• Lost earnings
• Future income loss
• Lowered future earning capacity
• Compensation for pain and suffering

Depending on the type and severity of injuries, the injury victim could also recover damages such as disfigurement, traumatic limb loss, loss of vision or hearing, or loss of enjoyment of life due to disability. If a loved one dies in a truck accident, their grieving family members may recover compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.

How Can a Washington Truck Accident Lawyer Help?

Determining liability can be a complex process in a truck accident claim due to multiple potentially liable parties, such as the truck driver, the trucking company, a truck maintenance company, or the manufacturer of a defective truck part. Often, those involved in the trucking company deny liability or point their fingers at another party.

Call the experienced Seattle, Kent, and Renton truck accident attorneys at Caffee Law to make a compelling case for your full compensation.