If you were injured in an 18-wheeler accident in St. Petersburg, Florida, you’re likely dealing with serious injuries, growing medical bills, and uncertainty about your future. One of the first questions most truck accident victims ask is, “How long will my case take to settle?” While every situation is different, there are common factors that influence the timeline.
At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve helped victims of truck accidents throughout Florida for over two decades. With more than 119 years of combined experience and tens of millions recovered, our St. Petersburg 18-wheeler accident attorneys know how to push cases forward efficiently while protecting your right to full compensation.
Contact our law offices today at (813) 223-6200 to get started with a completely free initial consultation.
How Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You Get Results After an 18-Wheeler Truck Accident in St. Petersburg, Florida
Handling an 18-wheeler accident claim is unlike dealing with a typical fender bender. These cases often involve complex regulations, serious injuries, and aggressive defense tactics. That’s why hiring the right St. Petersburg truck accident lawyer matters.
When you work with Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ll take care of everything:
- Investigating the crash and collecting key evidence
- Identifying all liable parties, including the driver, trucking company, and others
- Working with medical experts to document your injuries
- Calculating your full range of damages, both now and in the future
- Negotiating with the insurance company
- Taking your case to court if needed
We know how to move cases forward efficiently while never sacrificing the quality of your results. And because we work on a contingency fee basis, you won’t pay us anything unless we win money for you. Call us today for a free consultation with a St. Petersburg 18-wheeler accident lawyer.
What Factors Affect the Timeline of a Truck Accident Settlement in St. Petersburg?
Ultimately, every 18-wheeler accident involves a unique set of facts and circumstances. Some cases settle in a matter of months, while others may take over a year or more. Several key factors will affect how quickly or slowly your claim moves.
The Severity of Your Injuries
One of the biggest factors is how badly you were hurt. If your injuries are serious and require long-term care, it’s usually better to wait until you reach what doctors call maximum medical improvement. That’s the point when your condition has stabilized enough to understand the full scope of your injuries and how they’ll affect your life.
Settling too early could leave you without the money you need for future surgeries, therapy, or lost wages.
Liability Disputes
Some truck accidents involve multiple vehicles or parties. It’s not always clear who is at fault, especially when a trucking company, maintenance contractor, or third-party cargo loader is involved. If the other side disputes liability, your lawyer may need time to gather and analyze evidence like black box data, dash cam footage, or driver logs.
If the facts are straightforward and the truck driver is clearly at fault, this stage will go much faster.
The Insurance Company’s Response
Insurance companies often drag their feet, especially when large payouts are on the line. Trucking companies carry high-limit commercial policies, which means insurers will fight hard to avoid paying what your claim is worth.
Sometimes, the insurance adjuster may offer a low settlement quickly in hopes that you’ll accept before understanding the true value of your case. If your lawyer pushes back, they may delay negotiations or refuse to cooperate, which can slow things down.
Will My 18-Wheeler Accident Case Need To Go to Court?
Not necessarily. Most truck accident cases in Florida settle outside of court. However, if the insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith, filing a lawsuit may be your only option.
Litigation adds time to your case, but it may be necessary to secure the compensation you need. Your lawyer will continue trying to negotiate a settlement during this process, and many cases resolve before reaching trial. A judge or jury will decide the outcome if your case goes to trial.
At Winters & Yonker, we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. That level of preparation helps us build stronger claims and puts pressure on the other side to settle fairly.
What Damages Are Available After an 18-Wheeler Accident in Florida?
If you were hurt in a crash involving a large commercial truck, you may be entitled to several types of damages under Florida law. These are meant to cover both your financial losses and the emotional impact of the accident.
Economic damages cover the measurable costs associated with your injuries and may include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care or rehabilitation
- Lost wages from missed work
- Reduced earning capacity if you can’t return to your job
- Property damage
Non-economic damages compensate you for more personal, harder-to-quantify losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
- Scarring or disfigurement
In rare cases, punitive damages may also be available. These are only awarded when the at-fault party acted with gross negligence or intentional misconduct, such as driving under the influence or violating federal trucking regulations.
Call Our St. Petersburg 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one were hurt in an 18-wheeler crash in St. Petersburg, you may be entitled to significant compensation. These cases take time to handle properly, but that time is often necessary to get the outcome you deserve.
At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, we bring over 119 years of combined experience to every case. We’ve recovered tens of millions for accident victims across Florida, and we’re ready to fight for you, too.
Call today to schedule your free consultation with one of our award-winning St. Petersburg 18-wheeler accident lawyers.
