Truck accident cases in San Antonio can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to settle. Understanding the legal process to get to a settlement and the factors that can affect your settlement timeline can give you a better idea of how long your personal injury case may take to settle.
Steps Involved in the Settlement Process fr Semi-Truck Wrecks
Various steps are involved before you would settle your San Antonio personal injury claim, including:
Filing an Insurance Claim
After a truck accident, you will contact the trucking company’s insurance provider to report the accident to it and begin the insurance claim process. During this interaction, you should stick to the facts, avoid giving a recorded statement, and only provide the limited information necessary to begin the claim.
Seeking Medical Attention
Truck accidents can cause serious injuries, so it’s important that you seek medical attention immediately. Many San Antonio auto wreck lawyers will recommend that their clients reach maximum medical improvement before attempting to settle their case. This is the point in their medical recovery where they have healed as much as is expected, and their future medical needs can be more easily identified.
Investigating the Case
Texas is an at-fault state for motor vehicle accidents, so you have to prove the other driver was at fault to recover compensation for your injuries. The insurance company will want to try to blame you for the accident or minimize your injuries. An experienced attorney can gather strong evidence, such as:
- Information from the black box in the truck and the event data recorder in your vehicle
- Accident reports
- Video footage from traffic cameras, dash cams, and CCTV cameras
- Photos from the accident scene
- Property damage
Preparing a Demand Letter
Your personal injury attorney can prepare a thorough demand letter that includes the following information:
- Details about the accident
- The legal basis for your filing a personal injury claim
- The damages you have suffered
- The amount of compensation you will agree to accept to give up your right to sue
Your personal injury attorney sends the demand letter to the insurance company.
Negotiating a Settlement
After the insurance company receives the demand letter, it may offer a settlement. If they offer a settlement before this point, it’s in hopes that you will accept their lowball offer before consulting with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer.
During negotiations, the insurance adjuster and your personal injury lawyer may go back and forth several times, with the insurance adjuster trying to settle the claim for as little money as possible, while your personal injury attorney tries to recover maximum compensation.
Factors That Affect How Long a Truck Accident Case May Settle
Your truck accident claim may take longer when your claim involves:
- More serious injuries
- A long recovery period
- Multiple parties or insurance companies are involved
- Liability for the accident is unclear
- The insurance company refuses to cooperate
- The case doesn’t end in a settlement
Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer for Help
An experienced truck accident attorney can expedite your case without settling for less than you deserve. Contact George Salinas Injury Lawyers for a free consultation today.