Our DC truck accident attorneys have been handling truck cases since 1954. Having practiced tort law for more than a century, we understand precisely what is involved. We will walk you through a systematic, step-by-step approach to tackling a truck accident case in Washington, DC. While thorough, it is essential to note that this guide is not comprehensive. Each case is unique, so what works for one case might not work for another. You should still seek help from a seasoned truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. The truck accident timeline below cannot be exact because the length of each step depends entirely on the severity of your injuries and some factors outside anyone’s control, such as the insurance company representing the defendant.
This section requires no explanation. You are involved in a motor vehicle accident where the defendant, the party you are suing, is in a truck. The truck driver handled his truck negligently or intentionally, which injured you, the plaintiff. Keep in mind that we handle truck accidents involving bodily injury. This means that if you would like to sue a negligent truck driver who damaged your motor vehicle, but you are not hurt, we will not accept that type of accident as we are a personal injury law firm. You may go to the hospital immediately following the truck accident if you are seriously injured.
This is a crucial step, and it does several things to make your life easier. First, your lawyer can help you find reputable doctors. Having handled truck accidents for several decades, we know doctors in various cities from whom we have heard good things from former clients. Of course, this is a mere suggestion, and you are welcome to use a doctor you are familiar with if you would feel more comfortable. Additionally, having a wealth of experience, we are well-acquainted with this timeline. Accordingly, we can answer any questions you may have regarding next steps and how long each step will take based on the particular facts of your case.
At this step, you should know what your injuries are and what your treatment plan looks like. Again, this will depend entirely on you and your injuries. So, we cannot predict how long this will take. But generally, this step can take a few months to years. The most important thing to remember is that you need to get better. Your life may be drastically altered by the truck accident. Returning to normalcy is no easy feat and should be taken with a grain of salt.
By this point, you may or may not be fully healed. However, ideally, you have at least stopped regular therapy appointments following the truck accident or some surgery related to the accident. You may never get to the point of being fully recovered, but you may be at the end of maximum medical improvement. Once your attorney has received all your bills and records from your various medical providers and information from you and your employer regarding your lost wages, your lawyer can begin settlement negotiations. Going to court can take years.
Additionally, paying for expert witnesses can be expensive. Your personal injury attorney and the insurance company representing the defendant know this. Accordingly, settlement can sometimes be in the best interest of both parties to save time and expense. So, waiting is often in your best interest as the client and plaintiff. Suppose you have an experienced truck accident lawyer. In that case, he or she will quickly know if the defendant’s insurance company is making lousy settlement offers and when to ignore them and push forward with filing the suit.
The time estimation includes months because sometimes, once we have filed suit, the insurance company will take a better look at the merits of their case and decide to make a better settlement offer. If that is not the case, several steps are involved in filing the suit.
First, there is discovery. This involves the exchange of information from both sides. This can include depositions, interrogatories, and motions from both sides requiring court intervention. Then, the court may require mediation or a settlement conference. If it works, this can be to your benefit. However, it can also be a massive waste of time and money. Then comes the actual trial. This part of the process is relatively short for a truck accident case. The longest part of this step will be simply waiting for the trial date, which can take months or years. Also, there is no guarantee at trial. Even if the defendant made settlement offers, this is not an admission of liability and is not always even admissible in court that they made an offer.
By this point in the truck accident timeline, you have won your case, and the money from the settlement or judgment is in your lawyer’s trust account. The lawyer will then disburse the funds to the various parties, such as the medical providers, Medicare or Medicaid, and you, the plaintiff. Getting to this stage may take months or years, and success is never guaranteed. This is why it is essential to research when hiring a truck accident lawyer. Look for a lawyer with years of experience who effectively explains the process. You want a timely communicator should you have any questions. We have offices in Washington, DC, and Maryland.