How Long Does it Take To Settle a Trucking Accident Case?

If you have been injured in a truck accident near Hobbs, New Mexico, you are likely considering legal action. On top of your injuries, an 18 wheeler crash can seriously impact your finances between the costs of medical bills, mechanic bills, and, depending on the extent of your injuries, lost wages. A personal injury claim can help you recoup these costs, but the process can seem overwhelming.

New Mexico attorney James Shaw is here to help. Mr. Shaw’s decades of experience speak to his ability to navigate clients like you through the complicated legal process of financial recovery.

If you’re wondering, “How long does it take to settle a trucking accident case?” remember that the process involves several steps, and thus several variables will affect the outcome. However, you can expect that generally, the minimum amount of time to wait before your claim is settled is a month or two.

Depending on the extent of the injuries that you are claiming, however, the stubbornness of your opposition, and several other factors, it can take years. Here are some of the steps that you will have to go through before your claim is settled, and that can affect the amount of time it will take.

• Hire an Attorney
  • Your personal injury claim will not get far without the counsel of an experienced New Mexico truck injury lawyer. While you are legally entitled to represent yourself, a good lawyer can help advise you at every step of the process and help you avoid any missteps that could endanger your case. If you are concerned about the cost, consider hiring someone who works on contingency; this means that they will only charge a fee if your claim is successful.
• Gather Evidence
  • This will help you determine what to expect to claim in damages. This includes filling out an accident report with police, collecting medical bills, and calculating other costs that you have suffered as the result of your accident. An experienced truck accident lawyer in Hobbs will guide you toward which evidence is the most crucial to collect.
• Negotiate
  • After you file your claim, you will begin negotiating with your opposition and their insurer over a possible settlement. This is the point of the process at which it is most useful to have a knowledgeable New Mexico truck injury lawyer by your side, as they will be able to negotiate for you and advise you on whether or not to accept any offered settlements.
• Timeline
  • Negotiation is the biggest factor in how long your case will take to settle. If your opponent is convinced that they are the negligent party and eager to avoid further legal action, they may settle almost immediately. However, they are more likely to initially offer lower-than-reasonable amounts, or deny responsibility for the accident entirely. This can lengthen your case, and your only option may be to pursue further legal action in the form of a lawsuit.
• Filing a Lawsuit
  • With a lawsuit, your claim becomes an official legal action and will be ruled over by a judge. The court date for your lawsuit will probably be over a year from the date that you file. However, you and your attorney will most likely continue negotiating with your opposition in the meantime. The majority of personal injury lawsuits are still settled out of court. As a further caveat, though, remember that lawsuits are not always settled “on the courthouse steps” within days of the trial. If your claim turns into a lawsuit, you should prepare to be in it for the long haul.

The process of pursuing a personal injury claim is long and complex, so it helps to have an experienced truck accident lawyer in Hobbs to see you through it. New Mexico attorney James Shaw offers free consultations by phone at 1-800-555-0101. Call today to see what he can do for you.