How Long Does It Take to Settle an Injury Claim After a Semi Truck Accident?

There is no exact answer to how long you need to work on securing a semi-truck accident settlement in Ohio. Each case is different. An injured victim could accept the first settlement offer within days or weeks of the crash, or the trucking company and at-fault truck driver could work with their insurance company to contest claims right up until a personal injury lawsuit starts more than a year later.

The truth is that a case can be settled at any time. The two parties just need to reach an agreement. Some clients find it possible to settle with insurance companies quickly, and others need to fight far too long before receiving compensation.

The decision to accept what the insurer offers is always up to the client. In my role as a personal injury attorney, I provide my client advice on what represents a fair and just dollar amount for past and future medical care, money lost while recovering and not working, and pain and suffering. It is then up to my client to decide whether the sum on the table meets their needs.

Much surer answers exist for two essential questions that victims of negligent or reckless commercial truck drivers have, specifically

• How long do I have to file an injury claim after a semi-truck accident in Ohio?
• How can I get compensation after a semi-truck accident?

A Strictly Enforced Statute of Limitations on Claims

Ohio law sets a 2-year statute of limitations on personal injury and wrongful death claims arising from traffic accidents. In practical terms, this means that an injured victim or a family member of a deceased victim has exactly 24 months from the day of the crash to file a claim.

Delivering official notice of intent to make a claim suffices to meet the statute of limitations. Actually filling out insurance forms or filing a lawsuit can be done in a timely manner after the notification is made. A 18 wheeler accident attorney can advise and assist at all stages.

Four Things Needed to Settle a Claim

To succeed with an insurance claim or to prevail in a lawsuit, the victim of the semi accident must prove all of the following facts:

• The truck driver or trucking company named as being at fault was more than 50 percent responsible for causing the accident;
• The at-fault driver or company acted negligently or recklessly in a way that led directly to the accident happening;
• The victim suffered injuries that required medical treatment or caused the death; and
• The injuries or death resulted directly from the accident.

Proof of these things can come from police reports, independent investigations and expert testimony, witness testimony, and medical records. Partnering with an experienced personal injury or wrongful death attorney will help the victim secure all those types of proof.

If you were hit and harmed by a commercial truck driver in Franklin County, consider contacting Westerville-based Heit Law Firm. Corey Heit handles all types of accident cases, and he offers free consultations to potential clients. You can schedule an appointment online or call Corey directly at (614) 898-5300.