Your Guide to Truck Accident Claim Timelines
A crash with an 18-wheeler on I-35 or a sudden impact on the LBJ Freeway isn’t just a jarring moment—it’s the beginning of a long and often confusing journey.
At Angel Reyes & Associates, we’ve seen firsthand how disorienting those first hours and days can be.
Medical concerns, police reports, unreturned calls from insurance adjusters—it adds up fast.
That’s why we created this guide: to walk you through each stage of a Texas truck accident claim, so you can focus on healing while we handle the legal legwork.
Key Takeaways
Understanding the process ahead can help you avoid surprises and delays. Here’s what you need to know:
- Truck accident claims in Texas move through distinct phases that often take months to resolve.
- Medical recovery timelines are closely tied to how and when your case settles.
- Legal experience makes a significant difference in how long your claim takes and how fair your settlement is.
Truck Accident Claims: Recovery and Compensation
After a truck accident, the steps you take early on can shape the outcome of your case.
The process—from seeking medical care to negotiating a settlement—can stretch across months or even years.
Knowing what happens at each stage helps you stay in control and avoid unnecessary stress.
1. Immediately After the Car Crash (Day 0 to Week 1)
The first few days after a truck crash are critical. What you do now can determine how smoothly your case moves forward.
If you’ve been hurt, seek medical treatment right away—even if your injuries don’t feel serious.
Some conditions don’t show symptoms immediately, and delayed care can be used against you by insurance companies.
Make sure the police are called to the scene and get a copy of the accident report.
It’s also important to gather evidence: take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries. If there are witnesses, get their contact information.
And before you speak with any insurance representative, reach out to a lawyer.
Trucking companies often act fast to protect themselves; you need someone doing the same for you.
2. The Truck Crash Investigation Phase (Week 1 to Month 2)
Once you’ve hired a truck accident attorney, the legal team will begin a thorough investigation.
This includes sending formal notices—known as spoliation letters—to preserve evidence such as driver logs and black box data from the truck.
Your personal injury lawyer may also request surveillance footage, contact witnesses, and work with car crash reconstruction experts to analyze the accident.
The truck crash investigation phase can move quickly or take several weeks, depending on how cooperative the other parties are and how much evidence is involved.
In most cases, it lasts anywhere from two to eight weeks.
3. Medical Treatment and Monitoring (Ongoing; Month 1 to 12+)
Your medical recovery plays a central role in your claim timeline.
While your truck accident attorney builds the legal case, you’ll be seeing doctors, therapists, or even specialists.
Every visit, every diagnosis, and every bill becomes part of the damages that your legal team will document and present.
This stage continues until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI).
That’s the point where doctors believe further recovery is unlikely. Some people reach MMI within a few months, while others may require surgery or long-term therapy that stretches beyond a year.
Certain issues can cause delays here—like slow recovery, incomplete records, or disputes over pre-existing injuries.
That’s why staying consistent with treatment and communicating openly with your care team is essential.
4. Filing the Truck Accident Claim and Sending a Demand Letter (Month 3 to 12+)
Once you’ve either completed treatment or your prognosis is clear, your truck wreck attorney will prepare a formal demand package.
The formal demand package tells the insurance company what happened, who’s responsible, and how much compensation is being requested.
The demand letter will include your medical bills and records, proof of lost wages, documentation of pain and suffering, and a liability summary with supporting evidence.
Depending on your treatment length, this letter might go out three months after the truck crash, or more than a year later.
At this point, many clients start to feel like the case is finally moving forward. And it is. But the next steps are just as critical.
If you’re unsure where to start, reach out to Angel Reyes & Associates. We offer free case reviews and charge nothing unless we win.
5. Negotiation with Insurance Companies (Weeks to Months)
After the demand letter is sent, the truck insurance company responds. That response is often a lowball offer—or a denial.
This is where your personal injury lawyer’s negotiation skills come into play.
Insurers may question the severity of your injuries, dispute fault, or argue about your wage loss calculations.
Your personal injury attorney will counter with a detailed, evidence-backed argument. It’s not unusual for negotiations to stretch across several rounds, taking weeks or even months.
Persistence matters here. So does experience.
An attorney who knows how insurance companies operate can prevent unnecessary delays and keep your claim on track.
6. Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit (If Needed) (Month 6 to 24+)
If the insurer won’t settle for a fair amount, your car wreck attorney may file a personal injury lawsuit.
This doesn’t mean your case is going to trial—it simply means you’re escalating to protect your rights.
Texas law gives you two years to file (Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003), so timing is important.
Once filed, your case enters pre-trial litigation. That includes depositions, document exchanges, and hearings.
Many cases settle during this phase, especially after new evidence or witness testimony comes to light.
Litigation typically adds six months to two years to the process.
Your personal injury attorney will keep you informed and help you decide whether settlement or trial is the better path forward.
7. Truck Accident Settlement or Trial: Final Resolution
Most Texas truck accident cases settle before trial. But if your case does go before a jury, expect a more extended timeline and more risk.
Jury awards can be larger—but they can also be unpredictable.
Once a personal injury settlement is reached or a verdict is returned in your favor, the legal process isn’t quite over.
Your personal injury attorney will finalize paperwork, resolve any outstanding medical liens, and process your settlement check.
On average, clients receive their payout within two to six weeks after the agreement is signed.
8. What Makes a Texas Truck Accident Case Take Longer?
Some delays are outside anyone’s control—especially when serious injuries or multiple liable parties are involved.
But some common reasons cases drag out include:
- Disputes over fault, particularly when multiple companies are involved
- Delays in getting complete or accurate medical records
- Complex insurance policies and uncooperative adjusters
- Crowded court dockets or postponed hearings
Your legal team’s job is to keep things moving and anticipate these roadblocks before they become major issues.
Summary Timeline: A Quick Reference
While every truck accident case is unique, most Texas truck accident claims follow a similar path.
Here’s a general overview of how long each phase tends to last:
- Post-Crash Response and Initial Medical Care: Day 0 to Week 1
- Investigation and Evidence Collection: Week 1 to Month 2
- Medical Treatment and Monitoring: Month 1 to 12+
- Demand Letter and Claim Filing: Month 3 to 12+
- Insurance Negotiation: A few weeks to six months
- Litigation (if necessary): Six to twenty-four months
- Final Payout: Two to six weeks after settlement
Frequently Asked Questions: Texas Truck Accident Claims
How long does a Texas truck accident claim usually take?
It depends on the severity of your injuries, the complexity of the case, and whether the insurance company cooperates.
Many claims resolve in six to twelve months, but cases involving serious injuries or litigation can take up to two years or more.
Medical recovery plays a big role—your claim can’t be fairly valued until doctors understand your long-term prognosis.
Do I need to finish medical treatment before filing a claim?
Not necessarily, but it’s often best to wait until you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI).
That way, your attorney can accurately calculate future medical costs and ensure you aren’t settling for less than you’ll need.
In some cases, your lawyer may file the claim while treatment is ongoing, especially if deadlines are approaching.
What is a demand letter in a truck accident case?
A demand letter is a formal document your attorney sends to the insurance company.
It outlines your injuries, medical costs, lost income, and other damages, along with evidence proving the truck driver or company was at fault.
The demand package sets the tone for settlement talks and is one of the most important steps in the claim process.
What if the trucking company denies fault?
Denial of fault is common in truck accident claims, especially when multiple companies are involved.
Your legal team will conduct a detailed investigation, collect black box data, and consult accident reconstruction experts to prove liability.
If necessary, they’ll file a lawsuit and present your case in court.
How long after a truck accident can I file a lawsuit in Texas?
Texas law gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit (Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003).
However, the sooner you act, the better. Evidence can disappear, and witnesses become harder to reach over time.
If you’re unsure whether you’re within the deadline, talk to a lawyer right away.
Will my truck accident case go to trial?
Most truck accident claims in Texas settle before trial. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, your attorney may recommend filing a lawsuit.
Even then, many cases settle during pre-trial discovery. Trials are rare, but they are sometimes necessary to secure the compensation you deserve.
How soon after settlement will I get paid?
After a settlement is finalized and paperwork is signed, most clients receive their check within two to six weeks.
Your attorney will also resolve any outstanding medical bills or liens before disbursing funds. Delays can happen if lien negotiations take longer or if there are issues processing payments.
Why Timing Matters—and Why Legal Support Helps
The timeline of a truck accident case can feel unpredictable. But with the right legal team, the process becomes clearer—and more manageable.
At Angel Reyes & Associates, we’ve guided thousands of Texans through complex claims like these. We understand what’s at stake.
Our job is to protect your future while you focus on healing.
If you’ve been involved in a truck crash, don’t wait to find out how long your case might take. Talk to one of our attorneys today.
