After a truck accident, you want to know how soon you can collect compensation. With recovery time keeping you out of work, perhaps permanently, and with medical bills and continuing costs piling up, your finances and sense of security are low.
So, how long does a truck accident lawsuit take? While we can’t promise you an exact duration, the Knoxville truck accident attorneys at Hotz & Associates can help you understand the timeline of a truck lawsuit. You can count on us for regular communication and updates so you aren’t left worrying about the status of your case.
Can you receive a settlement without going to court for a truck accident?
After getting the medical attention you need, your first call should be to a Knoxville truck accident attorney. Your attorney can negotiate a fair settlement with the at-fault party without going to court. To work toward this result, your attorney will:
- Investigate the wreck thoroughly.
- Gather evidence to prove the responsible party’s negligence caused the accident and your resulting damages.
- Calculate your losses and send a settlement demand letter to the at-fault party’s representatives.
- Negotiate with the at-fault party’s representatives, who will probably refuse your initial demand, until both sides agree to a settlement amount.
Investigation time varies depending on the complexity of the wreck, and negotiation time is affected by how cooperative the other side is. The team at Hotz & Associates is committed to moving things along as efficiently as possible and will hold insurance companies responsible for abiding by Tennessee’s fair practices and timelines. Still, there is no set time for settling out of court. The negotiation process can take weeks, months, or as long as a year, but it will still take less time than a trial.
What are the phases of a truck accident lawsuit?
If negotiations aren’t productive, the Knoxville truck accident attorneys from Hotz & Associates will advise you of your options and help you prepare for a truck accident lawsuit. You’ll need to file your injury claim with the Tennessee court, but your attorney will likely already have done this. Filing a claim tells the at-fault party you are prepared to take your case to court if necessary.
Both sides will conduct investigations and gather evidence for the “discovery phase” of the lawsuit. During discovery, each side shares evidence with the other. Depositions, where involved parties must answer questions, are often part of this process. While each side will have investigated the wreck and gathered evidence, they will refocus their efforts to prepare for the trial phase.
What’s involved in the trial phase?
Before entering the trial, each side may file pretrial motions to resolve specific aspects of the case or get a summary judgment. A summary judgment can decide the case, making a full trial unnecessary. Negotiations can continue throughout the pre-trial and trial phases, allowing sides to agree at any time.
Trials can last from a few days to a few weeks. However, delays are common, and it can take a year just to get a trial date. That date can change depending on the judge’s schedule. During the trial, each side presents evidence to the jury. Then, the jury deliberates and issues a verdict. If a side disagrees with the decision, it can appeal the verdict to a higher court, lengthening the resolution time required.
Hotz & Associates are with you from start to finish
For the most efficient, favorable outcome, promptly partner with a Knoxville truck accident lawyer from Hotz & Associates after your wreck. We will work to settle out of court but are ready to fight in the courtroom to get you the settlement you deserve. Call (865) 582-0042 or message to schedule a free consultation. We look forward to hearing from you.