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Truck accident claims often involve legal and factual issues that are not present in many passenger vehicle accident cases. After a serious truck accident, many injured individuals want to know how long a truck accident lawsuit takes in Connecticut and when they might be able to move forward with the legal process. Some claims settle after negotiations, but others take time for investigation and litigation before a resolution can be achieved.
At Weber & Rubano, we represent clients injured in motor vehicle accidents throughout Connecticut, including accidents with commercial trucks and other large vehicles. Our Connecticut personal injury lawyers have more than 20 years of experience handling injury claims resulting from serious accidents and have served thousands of clients throughout the state.
In both settlement negotiations and litigation, the Connecticut truck accident lawyers at Weber & Rubano works to help accident victims pursue the compensation they deserve, while helping them navigate the potential complications that are often present in truck accident cases.
No two truck accident claims are alike, so no two truck accident claims have the same timeline. The duration of a trucking claim will depend on a number of factors, including the severity of the injuries, how much medical treatment is required, the evidence available, and how many parties are involved in a claim.
Truck accident claims are usually complex and require extensive discovery, including driver qualification records, maintenance records, electronic logging device data, and company policies and procedures. Additionally, if there are issues related to the liability or damages in dispute, then the time to completion may be increased as well.
Some truck accident claims are resolved through settlement negotiations before trial. A settlement may occur after the parties exchange evidence, assess damages, and engage in settlement discussions. Other cases proceed to litigation when disputes arise regarding liability, the extent of the injuries, or the value of the claim.
Overall, cases that go to trial tend to take longer due to extra legal procedures, court scheduling, and pretrial preparation. Whether a case settles or proceeds to trial, these factors can significantly affect the overall timeline.
Litigating truck accident claims is often more involved than many other types of passenger vehicle accident cases. Other responsible parties may be included, such as trucking companies, maintenance companies, cargo loaders, manufacturers, and insurance companies. Evidence can include driver qualification files, hours-of-service records, inspection reports, black box data, and other commercial trucking records.
Federal regulations contained in 49 C.F.R. Part 395 govern hours-of-service requirements for commercial drivers, while other Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations address vehicle maintenance, inspections, and driver qualifications. The number of additional parties, records, and legal issues can also make the claims process longer and more involved. There were 5,472 people killed in traffic crashes involving large trucks in 2023.
In Connecticut, most personal injury claims related to truck accidents must be filed within two years of when the underlying injury is first sustained or discovered, as per Connecticut General Statutes § 52-584.
The statute also contains an outside limitation period that may affect claims filed years after an accident occurred. An injured person’s failure to file within an applicable deadline may bar that individual from seeking compensation in court.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported 1,534 fatal and non-fatal crashes involving large trucks in Connecticut in 2024. These crashes caused 582 injuries and involved a range of outcomes, including property-damage-only collisions, accidents with injuries, and incidents that resulted in fatalities.
The reported number of truck crashes across the state highlights the presence of commercial vehicles on Connecticut roadways and the potential risks associated with large trucks being involved in collisions.
In some cases, truck accident claims have more than one defendant. Potential defendants could include the truck driver, trucking company, maintenance company, cargo loading company, or some other party related to the operation of the commercial vehicle.
Identifying which parties might be responsible can often be complicated and may involve an investigation of the accident and the events that led up to the accident. Cases with multiple defendants can be more complicated than those involving a single at-fault party.
Federal trucking regulations may also be an important factor in Connecticut truck accident claims. Trucking companies and drivers are regulated in areas such as hours of service, vehicle inspection and maintenance, cargo securement, and driver qualifications.
Violations of these rules may become relevant in determining what happened in an accident and whether negligence played a role. Assessing whether applicable federal regulations were followed is typically an important aspect of investigating a commercial truck accident case.
A claim following a truck accident in Connecticut might pursue reimbursement for different types of accident-related damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, rehabilitation costs, and property damage.
Connecticut law also allows for recovery of damages related to pain and suffering, as well as other forms of non-economic loss. The range of damages is contingent upon elements such as the gravity of the injuries, their effect on the victim’s life, and the evidence substantiating the claim.
Truck accident claims often involve issues that can significantly affect how long a case takes to resolve. The nature of the injuries, the complexity of the investigation, issues of liability, and the number of parties involved, among other factors, can affect timing. Some claims are resolved within a short time, while others take years of litigation before a settlement or other form of resolution can be achieved.
Weber & Rubano is well-versed in Connecticut truck accident claims and understands how various factors can impact a case as it moves from investigation to final resolution. Schedule a consultation today to hire a truck accident lawyer.