How Long Will it Take to Resolve a Commercial Trucking Accident Injury Claim in Alabama?

As a prominent personal injury lawyer in Alabama, Stephen Thompson has dealt a fair share of commercial trucking accident injury cases. One of the most common inquiries made by clients pertains to the time it might take to resolve such a case. However, the timeline for resolution can greatly vary due to a multitude of factors associated with the case. This article aims to shed light on some of these variables and offer a possible baseline of time for the resolution of a commercial trucking accident injury claim in Alabama.

The Aftermath of the Accident

Immediately subsequent to an accident is when the ball gets rolling on the claim. It is of utmost importance to seek medical attention to ascertain your condition, irrespective of the apparent nature of the injury. Make sure to maintain records of all doctor and hospital visits, including medical bills. Simultaneously, it would be prudent to notify your attorney and inform them of all pertinent details regarding the incident. It's also advisable to reach out to the insurance company to initiate the insurance claim process.

Investigating the Accident

The complexity of the investigation process can significantly impact the length of the resolution of your case. Detailed analyses need to be conducted to establish the cause, person(s) at fault, the extent of the damage, etc. Often, witnesses need to be interviewed, video footage examined, and expert advice sought. This thorough and meticulous process usually takes weeks or even months.

Establishing Liability

In Alabama, the process of determining liability can be subjective and time-consuming. As a contributory negligence state, Alabama has laws that could completely bar you from recovering if you are partly to blame for the accident. If the trucking company contests their driver’s responsibility, it could further extend the timeline for a resolution.

Negotiation Phase

Once liability is established, the negotiation phase commences which can be lengthy and contentious. As the claimant, you need to determine a fair settlement amount that sufficiently compensates for your damages. If the insurance company offers a settlement that falls short of your expectations, you are within your rights to negotiate until both parties reach a mutual agreement. These negotiations could go back and forth for weeks, or even months.

Litigation Phase

If negotiations fail and both parties cannot agree upon a fair settlement, the case might proceed to trial. The litigation phase commences with the filing of a lawsuit and drafting a complaints document, followed by the discovery process wherein both sides gather evidence. This phase, being quite complex and involving multiple steps, can stretch over a period of a year or more.

The Trial

It's important to note that not all cases reach trial. In fact, many are settled out of court during the negotiation phase. However, if the case does proceed to trial, the timeframe becomes much more uncertain. Depending upon the complexity of the case, a trial can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks.

Conclusion

Being involved in a commercial trucking accident injury claim can be a long and arduous process without a fixed timeline. Factors at play include the complexity of the accident, determination of liability, extent of negotiations and whether or not the case goes to trial. Despite these variables, there is hope for a favorable resolution to your case. With a seasoned and experienced attorney like Stephen Thompson handling your legal proceedings, you will receive top-tier assistance and guidance throughout. 

Bear in mind that each case is distinct and it is essential to maintain open and consistent communication with your attorney throughout the entire legal process. Regardless of the length of the process, the focus should be on obtaining the justice and compensation you rightfully deserve. After all, the measure of success is not how fast a case concludes, but the satisfaction of the compensation received. If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial trucking accident in Alabama, Stephen Thompson is here to guide you through the complex legal process, providing the expertise that only years of experience in the field can offer.

Free Initial Strategy Session

All Initial Strategy Sessions are Free. If you would like to discuss your options, you are invited to fill out one of the Contact Forms. I will attempt to contact you if I think I can help you.

During your Initial Strategy Session, I will asist you in creating a strategy on how to best pursue your claim, whether it be the result of a Car Accident Claim, 18 Wheeler Injury, or, Alabama Workers' Compensation Claim. At your Initial Strategy Session, you will receive the following:

• First - I will listen to your story. You will have a chance to tell everything to someone who wants to hear what happened to you.
• Based on the information that you provide, I will give you my best advice on both what claims you have, and the next steps you should consider to proceed with your claim(s).
• If your claim is something that I think I can help you with, I will explain the services that I can provide for you, and what the next steps are that we should take. We will start working immediately.
• If your matter is something that I do not think I can help you with, then I will attempt to put you in contact with another lawyer that might be able to help you.
• Either way, what should happen is we will put to rest some of the unkowns that you may be experiencing. We will start to shed some light on what you can expect, and how to best pursue the benefits you deserve.

Don't delay getting the recovery you deserve! Contact us today for your free Strategy Session!