Key Takeaways
- Missouri truck accident cases typically take several months to over a year to settle, with complex cases taking 18 months to 3 years or longer.
- Settlement negotiations cannot finish until you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), which can take 6 to 12 months for severe injuries.
- Missouri's 90-day rule allows time-limited demands that can force insurers to respond faster.
- Once a settlement is agreed upon and signed, the check typically arrives in 2 to 6 weeks.
Truck Accident Settlement Timelines in Missouri
Truck accident cases in Missouri usually take several months to over a year to settle. More complex cases with severe injuries or disputed liability can take 18 months to 3 years or longer. Commercial vehicle accidents are more complex and require extensive investigations which add to the timeframe for settlements in these cases.
A St. Louis truck accident lawyer can help you navigate this process and understand what to expect from truck accident settlements in missouri: what to expect.
Key Factors Affecting Your Settlement Timeline
The average length of time and average settlement amounts for Missouri truck accidents vary greatly based on key factors, including:
- Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI): Settlement negotiations can't finish until you reach MMI, which can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months for severe injuries.
- 90-Day Rule: Missouri law allows for a time-limited demand that forces insurers to respond to demands within 90 days, which could aid in speeding up negotiations.
- Receiving Payment: Once a settlement is agreed upon and signed, the check typically arrives in 2 to 6 weeks.
Timelines are unique to each case with some easier to resolve faster while complicated cases will naturally take longer. Understanding what is the average truck accident settlement in missouri can help set realistic expectations. At The Bruning Law Firm, we help injured victims know what to expect from truck accident settlements in Missouri.
Missouri’s Statute of Limitations
Missouri allows a time limit of up to 5 years from the date of the accident for filing a truck accident lawsuit. The exception is if the truck crash resulted in fatality, making it a wrongful death lawsuit, which has a shorter statute of limitations at 3 years. Learn more about why are truck accident settlements higher than car accidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for a truck accident in Missouri?
Missouri allows a time limit of up to 5 years from the date of the accident for filing a truck accident lawsuit. The exception to this is if the truck crash resulted in fatality, making it a wrongful death lawsuit, which has a shorter statute of limitations at 3 years.
Why do truck accident cases take longer than regular car accidents in Missouri?
Truck accident cases in Missouri are much more complex due to the severe injuries, multiple liable parties, higher insurance policies, and federal regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Understanding how evidence gathering affects your case timeline is important too, as your attorney will not only need to issue a spoliation letter to recover key data from the trucking company but also hire expert witnesses such as accident reconstructionists to help build a compelling case.
How does Missouri’s comparative fault system affect my settlement?
Missouri uses a pure comparative fault model for determining who is to blame, allowing for shared fault. Under this system, you can be up to 99% at fault and still recover damages, though your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurers commonly use this to delay payout or assign more blame to you to reduce your settlement. Our attorneys know how to handle these tactics to get you the full and fair compensation deserved.
Contact The Bruning Law Firm
The Bruning Law Firm helps injured victims with truck accident cases in Missouri, standing up to insurers and working to get resolution and compensation as quickly as possible. Our St. Louis truck accident case timeline attorneys do not collect a fee unless we win, and offer a free consultation where you can discuss your case. Call us today at (314) 735-8100 to talk to us about your truck accident.