The timeline of a truck accident claim

What Is the Timeline of a Truck Accident Claim?

If you've been injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, along with other losses that you may have sustained. However, filing a claim and reaching a settlement can take time. Knowing the timeline of a truck accident injury claim helps you understand how long it will take to get compensation. Here's what you can expect.

Medical Treatment and Documentation

Your first priority after a truck accident should be to seek medical attention and get treatment for your injuries. You'll need to document all of your medical expenses in order to make a claim for compensation. If your injuries require ongoing treatment, such as physical therapy or other forms of rehabilitation, you'll need to keep track of those costs as well. Be sure to call an Allentown personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. They can help you with the paperwork and make sure that you don't miss any deadlines.

Determining Liability

With the help of your lawyer, you'll begin your claim by determining who is liable for the accident. This often involves gathering evidence from the scene of the accident, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing police reports. This process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on the complexity of the case. Your lawyer will also review insurance policies to determine the amount of coverage available and the type that applies. This can help you make sure that you are compensated for all of your eligible expenses.

Negotiation

Once liability has been established, your truck accident attorney will work with the responsible party or parties to negotiate a settlement. These often include the truck driver, their employer, the vehicle's manufacturer, and the owner of the cargo. This process can take several weeks and involves exchanging settlement offers. During this process, your attorney will communicate with the liable parties or their insurance company to try to reach an agreement. Your Allentown personal injury lawyer will use your documented medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages to argue for a fair settlement. The goal of settlement negotiations is to reach an agreement that compensates you for your losses without having to go to court. This can save a considerable amount of time and can often be more beneficial to you than proceeding with a lawsuit. The length of time it takes to reach a settlement depends on the other party's willingness to negotiate and the complexity of your case.

Trial

If an agreement cannot be reached during settlement negotiations, you may have to go to trial. This can add another year or more to the timeline of your case. During a trial, both sides present their evidence and the judge or jury will determine who is liable and how much compensation you should receive. Going to trial is a time-consuming and expensive process, so it's often best to aim for an out-of-court settlement. However, it's important to note that sometimes going to trial is necessary in order to achieve a fair outcome. Once the trial is over, a judgment will be rendered by the court. Even then, additional negotiations may be necessary to determine how the settlement money should be distributed and when it should be paid. However, you can generally expect to receive your compensation within a few weeks of the verdict. Ultimately, the timeline for a truck accident injury claim can vary greatly depending on the complexity of your case. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to provide you with a better estimate of how long your claim will take and what steps are necessary for you to receive compensation. If you're interested in exploring your legal options with the help of an experienced Allentown personal injury lawyer, contact Metzger and Kleiner at 215-567-6616 to schedule a free consultation.