How long a typical Fort Myers truck accident case takes to resolve depends on multiple factors. No two cases are the same. You could be in the same crash as another person and still take different paths to compensation. The insurance company’s cooperation, working with multiple at-fault parties, and the extent of your medical treatment all play into your case’s timeline.
It’s not easy keeping a claim on track as you recover from your injuries. That’s where a Fort Myers truck accident lawyer can help. You worry about getting better. Your attorney takes care of everything else! That means they’ll complete paperwork, adhere to deadlines, and meet other requirements while you heal.
Gathering Evidence to Identify Liability in a Fort Myers Truck Accident Case
Evidence is the foundation of every truck accident case. It tells the story of how the collision occurred and points to who bears responsibility. Typical forms of evidence in truck accident cases include the following:
- Dashcam video
- Traffic camera footage
- Black box data
- Photographs
- Damaged vehicles
- Medical records
- Driver logs
- Employment history
- Crash report
- Eyewitness statements
- Accident reconstruction analysis
Compiling and accessing evidence—especially evidence in the trucking company’s possession—can take time. In addition, further investigation is sometimes necessary. As such, multiple parties tend to be involved in truck accident cases. Maybe the trucking company didn’t maintain the truck or properly load cargo onto the truck, making the truck driver lose control of the vehicle. Getting to the root cause of this situation could lengthen the case timeline.
However, identifying fault would be straightforward if the truck driver violated traffic laws by exceeding the speed limit. Then, the legal doctrine of respondeat superior means the truck company is responsible for its employee’s mistakes. You could sue the trucking company for your damages. Still, at-fault parties dispute liability in many cases, and this back and forth could add more time to resolving the case.
Your Medical Treatment Following the Truck Accident
Getting immediate medical attention after a truck accident is crucial. Even if you don’t think you’re injured, you should take the ambulance to the hospital, have someone drive you there, or see your primary care physician to ensure you’re okay. Some injuries take a few days to show symptoms. By the time you address them, you could prolong your recovery, pushing back your case’s resolution.
Everyone’s treatment plan looks different. Some people sustain soft tissue injuries and lacerations and are back to normal within a few weeks. However, other truck accident victims incur traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, or severe burns that require lifelong treatment consisting of surgeries, physical therapy, mobility aids, and pain medications.
It’s often best to wait until you reach maximum medical improvement before you file your truck accident case. That’s when your doctors deem it impossible for you to get any better. This way, your Fort Myers personal injury lawyer will have a more accurate idea of what a fair settlement would be for you.
The Insurance Company’s Cooperation with Your Truck Accident Case
Truck accident victims can recover various damages, some of which include:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of income
- Future loss of earning potential
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death
When your attorney investigates your case, they’ll also analyze how the crash has affected your life. This assessment will help them determine how much and which forms of compensation would be appropriate for you. When your lawyer asks for a settlement from the insurance company, the adjuster might not offer a satisfactory amount. In that case, your lawyer will negotiate with them until they arrive at an acceptable figure.
Sometimes, cases settle in a few weeks. Unfortunately, negotiations can also go on for several months. It depends on the insurance company’s cooperation. While many cases settle out of court, there are times when victims must take their case to trial. Insurers want to avoid the latter due to high court costs and the substantial time investment—but if that’s what’s necessary, your attorney will have no issue moving in that direction.
Working with Our Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help Streamline Your Case
Filing a personal injury case after a truck accident when you’re hurt can prove tedious and frustrating quickly. Our team has handled injury cases since our founding in 2005, so we know how these processes work and the nuances that may arise. This experience and knowledge have taught us to work efficiently. In doing so, we provide these services:
- Ordering the crash report
- Sending you regular case updates
- Helping you schedule doctor’s appointments
- Assisting you with getting your car fixed
- Identifying responsible parties
- Handling all correspondence
- Negotiating a settlement
- Representing you at trial
Please contact our team as soon as possible after the truck accident. According to Florida Statutes § 95.11, most claimants must sue the liable party within two years. Waiting any longer might bar you from collecting compensation. If you give us enough of a heads-up, we can meet the deadline.
Better still, you pay no out-of-pocket, upfront, or hourly charges to work with us. Because we are a contingency-based law firm, we don’t get paid unless you do!
Allow Our Lawyers to Help Resolve Your Fort Myers Truck Accident Case
How long it takes to resolve a typical Fort Myers truck accident case isn’t a concern to us. Our commitment is to obtain fair compensation for you as soon as possible, but if the insurers draw out the process, we will go the extra mile for you. We won’t falter. We’ll offer responsive legal help focused on serving your needs and getting the money you need and deserve.
Reach out to the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today for a free consultation.
