Why Do Truck Accident Cases Take Longer To Settle?
Truck accidents are among the most serious and complex incidents on the road. These accidents often lead to devastating injuries, significant property damage, and lasting financial hardships for those affected. After experiencing such a traumatic event, many people expect their cases to be resolved quickly. However, the reality is that the truck accident claims process can extend for months or even years. But why do truck accident cases take so long to settle? Below, we discuss some of the main reasons why truck accident cases take longer to resolve.
1. Determining Liability Takes Time
One of the main reasons truck accident claims take longer to settle is the complex process of determining liability. Truck accidents often involve multiple potential liable parties. Possible liable parties in a truck accident case include the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, a maintenance company, and even a parts manufacturer.
To determine who is at fault, your attorney needs to conduct a thorough investigation and collect critical evidence, including:
- Black box data
- Driver logs
- Company records, including maintenance and inspection reports
- Witness statements
- Police report
- Photos and videos of the accident scene
- Dashcam and surveillance footage
Obtaining all this evidence and analyzing it takes time. Defendants may also delay turning over documents, dragging out the investigation process even more.
2. Injuries Are Often Severe
Often, truck accidents lead to severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, major fractures, internal damage, and spinal cord injuries. Victims frequently require ongoing medical care.
Before your lawyer can accurately determine the value of your case, you must reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). This is the point where your condition has stabilized. Settling before reaching this stage could result in you accepting an amount that does not accurately reflect your needs. Waiting to settle ensures that you not only understand your current damages, but also any potential future damages, such as future medical expenses and lost future income.
3. Insurance Companies Use Delay Tactics
In truck accident cases, the defendants’ insurance companies usually use aggressive defense strategies aimed at delaying the process. For example, insurers may ask you for excessive documentation or challenge liability. An experienced truck accident attorney will handle communications with insurance companies and know how to push back against delay tactics.
4. Uncooperative Defendants
Truck accidents often involve multiple defendants, and not all of them are willing to cooperate. Truck drivers, trucking companies, and other defendants and their insurers may hide or refuse to release critical evidence that could prove fault. Others might argue that another party is responsible for the accident. This lack of cooperation can slow down the process.
5. High Stakes
Truck accident claims often involve life-altering injuries and substantial financial losses, meaning the stakes are usually extremely high for all involved parties. Damages in a truck accident case can easily reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Because of the huge amounts involved, insurers and defense attorneys thoroughly scrutinize every detail of the case before agreeing to a settlement.
Having a skilled truck accident attorney on your side can make the claims process smoother. An attorney can thoroughly investigate your case and gather evidence, identify all liable parties, and handle complex negotiations.
Contact Us for Legal Help
Our London & Southeast Kentucky truck accident attorneys at Cessna & George Law Firm can help you navigate the claims process confidently and maximize your chances of recovering the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
