If you have been involved in an 18-wheeler accident in Miami, FL, one of your first questions may be, “How long will it take to settle my case?” Every case is unique, but certain factors may
affect the timeline. Having an experienced Miami truck accident lawyer on your side who knows how these cases typically work can help.
At Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys, we use our decades of experience to fight on behalf of our clients to the tune of over $100 million in recovered compensation. If you’ve been in a truck crash, contact our law office in Miami at (305) 916-6455 to schedule a free consultation to get started.
How Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help After An 18-Wheeler Accident in Miami, FL
After a truck accident, victims often face overwhelming medical expenses, lost wages, and the stress of navigating complex insurance claims in Miami, Florida. A skilled legal team can step in to protect your rights, build a strong case, and pursue the full compensation you deserve.
If you hire Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys, you can focus on recovery while we handle your case’s legal complexities on your behalf.
Here are some of the key ways our Miami personal injury lawyers can support your claim:
- Investigate the accident and gather crucial evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and black box data
- Identify all liable parties, such as the truck driver, trucking company, or maintenance providers
- Work with medical and accident reconstruction experts to strengthen your case
- Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies to prevent lowball settlements
- File and manage all legal paperwork and court proceedings if a lawsuit is necessary
- Advocate for maximum compensation covering medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck accident, don’t wait to seek help. Contact our experienced Miami truck accident attorneys today for a free consultation and let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Key Factors That Influence Your Truck Accident Case’s Timeline
Several variables can either accelerate or slow down the process. These include:
Liability Disputes
Liability for your 18-wheeler accident may be disputed. If there is disagreement over who caused your accident, negotiations may be delayed for investigations and evidence-gathering. This is common when multiple parties may be potentially liable. Parties involved in the crash may need time to gather crash reports, interview witnesses, and evaluate other evidence.
Severity of Injuries
The more serious the injuries, the longer it may take to determine the full scope of your medical needs and long-term care.
Truck accident lawyers will typically encourage you to wait until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), or the point at which further recovery is unlikely, before pursuing a full-value settlement. This allows you to know what compensation is needed to cover your current and future losses.
Insurance Coverage and Policy Limits
Trucking companies are required to carry substantial liability insurance. Insurers may conduct thorough investigations and fight hard to minimize payout amounts. They may also attempt to delay negotiations to pressure you into accepting a lower amount or dispute the extent and cause of injuries.
Complex Investigations
As part of their investigation, a lawyer may need to obtain and review evidence such as:
- Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data
- Driver qualification files
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Cargo loading documentation.
Obtaining these records can be time-consuming, especially if a trucking company is reluctant to cooperate or the documents are incomplete. Commercial truck accidents also often involve complicated federal and state regulations.
Court Backlogs and Litigation
Many trucking cases settle out of court, but some end up in litigation, which can introduce
additional time-consuming steps like the discovery phase, motions filed back and forth, pre-trial conferences, and trial preparation, not to mention the trial itself. Appeals by either party can delay the case even further, sometimes by a year or more.
Typical Settlement Timeframes
The duration of an 18-wheeler accident case will depend largely on the complexity of the claim, but typically falls within the following ranges:
- Simple cases (3 to 6 months): Cases involving minor injuries, clearly established liability, and cooperative insurers are typically reached quickly without litigation.
- Moderately complex cases (6 to 18 months): Cases with more serious injuries, shared fault, or moderate legal disputes may require extensive medical evaluation and negotiation. Settlement may occur without a trial, but it takes longer.
- Complex or contested cases (1.5 to 3+ years): Cases with catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, or contested liability may proceed to litigation. Discovery, expert testimony, and litigation can significantly delay resolution.
Our Florida truck accident lawyers can evaluate your case and estimate the potential settlement
timeline.
Contact Our Miami Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Every 18-wheeler accident is unique. From proving liability to calculating damages, each variable plays a role in determining how long it may take to settle your case.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, a Miami truck accident lawyer can help you fight for compensation. Schedule a free consultation with Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys today.
