Recovery time after a serious accident with a semi-truck can take a long time. The medical bills continue to mount, and you may be wondering, “How long does a semi-truck accident settlement take in Utah?”
Every case is unique. But understanding the specific factors that influence settlements can help you make better decisions about your case and post-accident care.
Immediate Aftermath
The number of semi-truck accidents and fatalities has increased in the past decade. The occupants of other vehicles in the accident remain the most impacted by these accidents. However, the timeline for resolving a semi-truck accident case varies based on many factors. Because determining liability can be complex, a thorough investigation must take place before compensation can be awarded.
In the immediate aftermath of a semi-truck accident, the first stage involves gathering evidence and creating the groundwork for your claim. The first matter of importance is your health. Be sure to seek medical care right away. Not every injury reveals itself at the moment of impact. Adrenaline can mask pain, and serious issues, such as internal bleeding, may not be obvious.
As for determining liability, there are multiple entities that may be liable. This includes:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Cargo loaders
- Maintenance contractors
An experienced semi-truck accident attorney begins investigating your accident immediately. This can involve gathering evidence, including police reports, dashcam footage, and maintenance logs from the driver.
Filing the Insurance Claim
Once evidence is gathered, your attorney files a truck accident claim against the at-fault party’s insurance carrier. Commercial trucks are usually covered by large liability policies. Therefore, insurers tend to be aggressively defensive.
They may offer a lower settlement that doesn’t cover your financial needs. Having a results-driven Utah truck accident lawyer on your side can protect you from these lowball offers.
An experienced attorney proves liability and establishes the full value of your claim. This can cover:
- Medical expenses, both current and future
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Settlement Negotiations
The next step involves settlement negotiations. After liability and damages are determined, these negotiations can establish how much the insurance company is willing to award you.
The duration of this phase varies by many factors.
- The severity of your injuries. If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury, such as brain or spinal cord damage, the settlement phase can take a long time. That’s because it’s too soon to really determine what your future medical needs will be. Neck injuries are the overwhelming majority of vehicle injury accidents, which can take a long time to recover from.
- Multiple defendants. Truck accidents often involve several liable parties. This can complicate the settlement process. Each insurance company may conduct an investigation and dispute its share of liability, which causes delays.
- Disputes over fault. Utah follows a modified comparative negligence rule. That means you can only recover damages if you are less than half responsible for the accident.
- Settlement strategy. It’s understandable to want a fast resolution, but there are benefits to holding out for a larger settlement. A skilled semi-truck accident attorney can evaluate both your immediate needs and your long-term recovery goals to ensure you get the compensation you really deserve.
Litigation
If a settlement is not possible, your case may go to trial. This involves both sides exchanging evidence. A judge then determines settlement awards. Going to court can be extremely time-consuming and emotionally taxing.
How Garner Law Firm Can Help
Choosing the right attorney makes a big difference in how your case moves through the legal system. Garner Law Firm combines legal excellence with results-driven strategies. Our team holds highly regarded accolades, such as the Super Lawyer and Utah Legal Elite awards.
Our team has a strong reputation for achieving substantial settlements in complicated Utah truck accident cases. Fluent in Spanish, our firm is accessible to Utah’s diverse communities. We also regularly host local outreach events as a way to give back.
FAQs
How Long Does a Truck Accident Settlement Take?
The time it takes for a truck accident to settle varies. It can depend on the injury severity, the complexity of liability, and insurance negotiations. Cases involving serious injuries or those with multiple defendants can take a long time to investigate and settle. However, if you are able to settle quickly, it could undervalue the full extent of your claim, such as not taking future medical needs into account.
How Long Does an Insurance Company Have to Settle a Claim in Utah?
Utah insurance companies must acknowledge your claim within 15 days of receiving your claim, and they have 45 days to investigate and issue a decision. Insurers must provide written explanations if there are any delays in this process. Unreasonable delays can result in penalties or legal claims against the insurer. Be sure to maintain communication and provide prompt documentation to streamline the process.
How Long Does It Take to Get Money From Settlements?
After reaching a settlement, it can take a while to receive payment. However, the actual timeline depends on the case. Insurance companies must prepare release forms, confirm payments, and issue checks. In personal injury cases, funds may go through your attorney first to cover medical liens or legal fees. If there are multiple parties involved, the timeline may be longer.
How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements?
Truck accident settlements vary widely. They often are higher than car accident payouts because injuries can be more severe, and these companies have higher insurance limits. Medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering all figure into the amount for the settlement. An experienced semi-truck accident attorney can thoroughly investigate your accident and help victims get the compensation they’re entitled to.
Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer
When you’re wondering how long a semi-truck accident settlement in Utah takes, don’t just let insurance companies dictate your claim’s timeline. Reach out to Garner Law Firm to schedule a free consultation. Let us help you better understand expected timeframes and what your legal options are for moving forward.
