The dedicated Nashville Truck Accident Lawyers at the Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers can answer any questions you might have through a free consultation. Call us today at (615) 685-8546.
Most truck accidents will settle within six months to 18 months from the time of the crash, depending on the situation. If you were injured in an accident involving an 18-wheeler in Tennessee, you could have important legal rights, including the right to compensation. Often, 18-wheeler accident cases will be settled through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. An experienced Nashville 18-wheeler accident lawyer can help you navigate the path toward settlement after your accident.
The length of time it takes to settle an 18-wheeler accident case will not always be the same. Settlement timelines can depend on factors like the severity of the accident, the complexity of the case, the potential liability of a trucker’s employer or third parties, and the technical aspects of the crash itself. Settlement can also depend on an insurance company’s willingness to negotiate, collection of your medical bills, or other factors.
How Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Truck Accident in Nashville, TN
If you were injured in an accident involving an 18-wheeler in the Nashville area, you will need payment for your damages. Preferably, this would be paid out through a quick settlement. While we can’t guarantee when you’ll be paid and how much you’ll receive, a Nashville truck accident lawyer will carefully investigate your claim, go toe to toe with insurance companies, and do whatever is possible to maximize compensation through a fair settlement.
Some steps our Nashville personal injury attorneys will take for you include the following:
- Meeting for a free consultation to talk about your case
- Investigating the details of the accident and developing a strategy
- Filing an insurance claim and negotiating with insurance adjusters
- Fighting aggressively for a fair settlement
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit for you if the insurance company won’t settle
- Negotiating a settlement as your legal case proceeds. An estimated 95% of truck accident cases settle before going to a jury trial.
Contact Labrum Law Personal Injury Lawyers to set up a free consultation with a Nashville truck accident attorney today.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Nashville Truck Accident Lawyer?
In a personal injury case involving 18-wheel trucks, most attorneys will work on a contingent fee basis. Put simply, this means no attorney fees upfront for accident victims. Contingency arrangements allow truck accident victims to hire the quality legal help they need without worrying about attorney fees as their cases progress. Instead, you would only be responsible for your attorney’s fees if you win and receive a settlement payment.
Once a settlement is reached, your lawyer’s fees will be an agreed-upon percentage of your settlement award. Contact our legal team to learn more about how we can work on a contingency basis in your truck accident claim.
Factors That Influence How Long a Truck Accident Settlement Will Take
Not all 18-wheeler accidents are the same, and some settlements will take longer than others. Different factors will play roles in the time it takes to get your settlement check.
Medical Treatment
To maximize the value of an 18-wheeler accident settlement, you will need to reach a certain level of recovery from your injuries. You don’t have to be fully recovered (and unfortunately, you might not ever fully recover in a catastrophic injury case). However, a settlement might not be accurate until you’ve completed any required surgery, rehab, and follow-up procedures. When you’ve reached maximum medical improvement, your lawyer and the insurance adjuster will have a better picture of your full range of medical costs. Settling earlier can shortchange your settlement award.
Collection of Evidence
To support your claim after an 18-wheeler accident, your lawyer will rely on any of the following to prove negligence:
- Medical bills and statements: You will need to show documentation of your injuries and need for medical treatment after an accident. This includes any diagnosis for long-term injuries and the need for care in the future.
- Evidence from the crash site: Photos, video footage, police reports, and witness statements can all help describe how an accident happened. Video footage and black box recordings from the 18-wheeler itself can also be obtained and used.
- Records pertaining to the truck driver and the company owning the truck involved: Sometimes, a crash occurs because the driver was working more hours than allowed or the employer did not give proper training. Records can reflect these problems, and your lawyer will seek to obtain them.
During settlement negotiations, an insurance company will not just take your word for it and give you the amount you request. They’ll need solid evidence before sending a settlement check. Sometimes, the time to collect all evidence can take weeks or months – potentially delaying your settlement. However, it will be worth the wait.
Payment of Outstanding Expenses
Even after an agreement is reached, there could be a delay before you get your settlement check. Why is this? In many truck accident cases, you will have outstanding medical bills, property damage, and liens related to your costs from the accident. These get paid along with your attorney’s fees at the end of the case.
Your attorney will reach out to medical providers on any debts you owe and try to negotiate those down before paying. Once all of your costs are cleared, you will receive your settlement payment. Your truck accident lawyer will keep you informed every step of the way.
Contact a Nashville 18-wheeler Accident Lawyer Today
If you were injured in an accident involving an 18-wheel truck in Tennessee, you could be entitled to financial recovery through a settlement. Our dedicated legal team can answer your questions about the settlement process. Call Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule your free consultation.
