Two Reasons Your Truck Accident Claim May Take Longer to Resolve
Tractor-trailers are much different from the other vehicles they share the roadway with. They are much heavier and much larger, and the insurance policies that cover them have a much higher value than those of passenger cars. These are just a few of the reasons why truck accident claims typically take longer to resolve. Below, our Miami truck accident lawyer explains why it can take longer to reach a settlement in these cases, and why it is important to remain patient.
Determining Liability Takes Longer
No-fault insurance laws govern auto accidents in Florida. Under these laws, you must carry at least $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. After a truck accident, you must file a claim with your own insurance company to claim these benefits. You can claim this coverage even if you contributed to or caused the accident, and you do not have to prove someone else was at fault.
The majority of drivers in Miami do not purchase any more than the minimum amount of PIP benefits required, in an effort to keep their insurance premiums low. Unfortunately, due to the immense size of trucks, $10,000 is not usually enough to fully cover the cost of injuries after an accident with one. When PIP benefits are not enough, Florida’s serious injury threshold law allows you to file a personal injury claim directly against the negligent party.
To be successful with a personal injury claim, you must establish that another person was at fault for the accident. This is a challenging task in any personal injury claim, but it is particularly difficult in truck accident claims. When two smaller vehicles are involved in a crash, the liable party is usually at the accident scene. This is not true in all truck accident cases.
Trucking companies, loading companies, and inspection and maintenance companies are just some of the potentially liable parties in a truck accident. It takes time to determine which party is liable and so, truck accident cases can take longer to resolve.
The Severity of Your Injuries
Due to the size of trucks, accident victims typically suffer the most serious injuries afterward. You can file a claim against a careless party to recover financial compensation for your injuries but before you do, you must understand the full extent of them. This is the only way to claim the full amount of damages you are entitled to.
You must understand the severity of your injuries, the prognosis, and what treatment will cost now and in the future. Your doctor may not be able to tell you all of this in your first few treatments and so, it is important to remain patient. If you file a claim before you understand the severity of your injuries and how they will impact your future, you may not include all of the damages you deserve. If the insurance company pays you a settlement, you cannot ask for more in the future just because you did not understand the full nature of your injuries.
Our Truck Accident Lawyers in Miami Can Handle Your Claim
Truck accident claims can sometimes take longer to resolve than other types of personal injury cases, but it is important to remain patient. At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, our experienced Miami truck accident lawyer will ensure your claim is resolved as quickly as possible without forfeiting any of the financial compensation you are entitled to. Call us now at 305-371-2692 or reach out to us online to request a free consultation.