Oregon is the home to major ports which supply the nation and the world – all powered by an increased number of trucks which travel on Oregon roads. These trucks, however, put Oregon drivers at a higher risk of being in a truck accident. When you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Portland, Oregon, it is understandable that you want to reach a settlement for your injuries as quickly as possible. You need compensation to handle your medical bills, make up for lost work, and to take care of your loved ones while you are in recovery. Oregon truck accident settlements vary in length from case to case, and can take anywhere from several months to many years.
“The complexity of the case typically determines how long it takes to reach settlement,” says Personal Injury Trial Lawyer Wm. Keith Dozier. Our law offices have settled dozens of truck accident cases, with many verdicts in the millions. To settle your truck accident case in the best time possible, we understand how crucial it is that you choose a personal injury lawyer that will have your best interest at heart and will produce the best outcome for you and your needs.
Factors that Determine the Timeline of Oregon Truck Accident Settlements
It is not advisable to trust personal injury attorneys who guarantee a specific timeline for settlement, as the length of time varies greatly depending on the case’s complexity.
Related Article: Four Common Causes of Oregon Truck Accidents
Lawyer Involvement
The closer that a lawyer’s involvement in a case is to the accident, the better chance that a victim of a truck accident has of reaching a settlement quickly. Personal injury attorneys move cases along efficiently by gathering the necessary evidence, and it is easier to gather information when the incident is recent. The sooner an attorney is involved with an incident, the sooner they can find the right solution for you.
Case Complexity
All truck accident cases require a skilled attorney that can guide you through the legal process, but some truck accident cases are simpler than others. Cases with only one injured party, or there is clear liability (meaning one party is 100% responsible) are typically simpler to settle. However, if there are multiple injured parties, if the defense is a large entity, or if there is unclear liability, those cases may take longer to settle.
Negotiation Vs. Trial Court
Typically, a case that is settled outside of court will conclude sooner than a case that has to go to trial. Cases that are negotiated outside of court can take months or years, especially if there are questions about the extent of damages, liability, or compensation. Court trials add to this timeline because civil litigation often must compete with both other civil litigation cases, as well as criminal cases.
Find the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Portland, Oregon
Trucking accidents are often uniquely complex in comparison to other vehicle accidents, due to the many hands of ownership involved. Therefore, when you are injured in a trucking accident, it is crucial to contact an attorney with years of proven success.
Keith Dozier and his associates have litigated personal injury and discrimination claims against defendants of all sizes, from multinational corporations to large insurance companies. We have proven results, including a unanimous jury verdict for $19 million. We have achieved numerous recoveries in excess of a million dollars for severely injured clients. Contact us today to request a free case evaluation.