Attorney at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Vaccine Injuries
According to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, over 5,700 large truck crashes were reported statewide in a recent year. Many of these incidents occurred in Tulsa and nearby areas. Unfortunately, accidents involving large commercial trucks often result in serious injuries and complex legal claims. Victims who contact a Tulsa truck accident lawyer may be surprised at how long these cases take.
Truck accident claims are rarely straightforward. Delays can happen at nearly every stage, from gathering records to negotiating with insurers. These hold-ups add stress and financial strain, especially while you’re recovering from major injuries. Knowing the most common causes of delay—and how to avoid them—can help keep your case on track.
Below are key delay factors in Oklahoma truck accident cases, along with tips for preventing them.
Truck accidents differ from regular car accidents in several ways. These claims typically involve more serious injuries, bigger insurance policies, federal regulations, and multiple at-fault parties.
All of these factors can lead to a more extended case timeline. However, the good news is that many common delays can be reduced—or even avoided—if you know what to look for.
Many truck accident victims need extended care like physical therapy, surgery, or pain management. Full recovery takes time. Doctors often can’t determine long-term impacts right away.
This delays your claim because insurers won’t make a full settlement offer until your treatment is complete and your medical future is clear. Ongoing care means uncertain costs, which slows negotiations.
Avoid this by getting medical help immediately, even if you feel fine. Follow your treatment plan closely. A consistent medical record helps your attorney estimate damages accurately and avoid unnecessary delays.
Delays in treatment can weaken your claim. Insurers may argue your injuries aren’t serious or weren’t caused by the crash.
Trucking companies often work with large insurance carriers that are skilled at protecting their financial interests. One common tactic they use is delay. Insurance companies may take weeks to respond, push back paperwork, or stall negotiations.
These delays are intentional. The goal is to frustrate you into accepting a lower settlement. By dragging things out, they hope you’ll give up or settle for less than your claim is worth.
Avoid this by letting your attorney handle all interactions with the insurer. An experienced lawyer will recognize stalling tactics, respond appropriately, and keep your case on track. They’ll also document delays and look for signs of bad faith that could support further legal action.
Learn more about insurance delay tactics on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website.
Evidence from truck accidents must be collected promptly. Essential records, like the black box data, maintenance logs, and driver hours, are often only preserved for a few months. If not preserved in time, your lawyer may need to go through the courts to retrieve what’s left. This can delay the case.
To avoid this, your attorney should send a spoliation letter immediately. This legally requires the trucking company to keep all relevant evidence.
For details on federal retention rules, see the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations.
Truck accidents often involve several responsible parties. They may include the driver, the trucking company, the cargo handler, or the vehicle manufacturer. Each party has its own insurer and legal team, which can slow down the process as they dispute who’s at fault and to what degree.
To reduce delays, hire a lawyer experienced in multi-party claims. They can coordinate the investigation, manage communications, and keep your case moving efficiently.
Medical records and expert reports are key to proving injuries and long-term needs. However, hospitals and providers often take weeks to respond to document requests, especially if multiple specialists are involved.
Guard against this delay by giving your lawyer a complete list of your medical providers early on. This allows their team to request everything at once, reducing wait times and eliminating the need for repeated follow-ups.
If your case goes to trial, scheduling delays are common. This is due to overloaded court dockets in places like Tulsa County. There are simply a limited number of judges and a high volume of civil cases. Even strong cases may wait months for a hearing date.
You can’t control the court’s calendar, but your attorney can prevent additional delays by being fully prepared. All evidence and filings should be submitted early to avoid rescheduling or setbacks.
For current scheduling updates, visit the Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN).
You have just two years from the date of your truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Oklahoma. Missing this deadline means you may lose your right to seek compensation, regardless of how strong your case is.
In Oklahoma, victims of truck accidents must file their injury claim within two years. Missing this deadline can result in your case being thrown out, no matter how strong the evidence is.
To avoid this, contact a Tulsa truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Even if you’re still recovering, your attorney can begin building your case and protecting your legal rights before time runs out.
On average, truck accident cases in Oklahoma can take anywhere from six months to over a year. The timeline depends on the severity of the injury, cooperation with the insurance company, and whether a lawsuit is filed.
Delays themselves don’t stop compensation. However, they can create challenges. The longer you wait, the more difficult it may be to gather evidence or maintain a strong case.
Your attorney can issue legal requests or subpoenas. A spoliation letter early in the case also helps prevent the destruction or tampering of key evidence.
It depends on the offer. If the insurance company provides fair compensation, settling may be the best option. If not, your lawyer may recommend filing a lawsuit and preparing for trial.
Delays in a truck accident case can be frustrating. However, they don’t have to derail your claim. By understanding what causes these delays and working with a skilled legal team, you can stay ahead of the obstacles and focus on healing.
At Graves McLain Injury Lawyers, we help victims across Tulsa and Oklahoma navigate the truck accident claims process with clarity and confidence. From gathering evidence to dealing with insurance delays, we work to resolve your case as efficiently as possible without compromising your right to full compensation.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, don’t wait. Contact Graves McLain Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. There are no upfront fees, and you don’t pay unless we win your case.
When injury victims need a law firm with a reputation for excellence, turn to Graves McLain Injury Lawyers. We are a top-rated personal injury firm determined to be the best. With decades of award-winning representation, our clients recover the compensation they need to put their lives back together.
