When you’re involved in a collision with an 18-wheeler in Georgia, your life can change in an instant. Between medical expenses, lost wages, and severe injuries, you’re left dealing with overwhelming stress. Pursuing a truck accident lawsuit is often the next step, but how long does it actually take?
The truth is, there’s no single answer. The timeline depends on a number of factors including the severity of injuries, availability of evidence, and whether your case settles or goes to trial. Below, we break down each stage of a typical 18-wheeler truck accident lawsuit and what you can expect.
1. Immediate Aftermath: First Few Days to Weeks
Right after the crash, your focus should be on medical care and ensuring the accident is reported.
Key steps include:
- Receiving emergency medical treatment
- Obtaining police reports
- Documenting the accident scene
- Contacting insurance and consulting personal injury attorneys
Avoid accepting a quick settlement from the insurance adjuster, especially in serious truck accident claims. Their goal is often to minimize your fair compensation.
2. Pre-Litigation Investigation: 1 to 3 Months
Before filing, your truck accident attorney will build a solid foundation for your case. This phase includes:
- Reviewing police reports and driver logs
- Collecting black box and dashcam data
- Evaluating maintenance records and vehicle maintenance
- Identifying all liable parties, including the truck driver, employer, or maintenance provider
- Consulting doctors about your medical treatment and prognosis
This investigative process can take 1–3 months depending on case complexity and evidence access.
3. Filing the Lawsuit (Within Georgia’s 2-Year Limit)
Georgia allows two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. If settlement negotiations stall or fail to produce a fair settlement, your legal team will file suit.
4. Discovery Phase: 6 to 12 Months
This is often the most time-consuming stage of a truck accident lawsuit. Discovery involves both sides sharing evidence and includes:
- Interrogatories (written Q&A under oath)
- Depositions (sworn testimony)
- Requests for documents: medical records, insurance policies, vehicle maintenance logs, etc.
Expect delays here, especially if the insurance providers or trucking companies are uncooperative.
5. Ongoing Settlement Negotiations
Your personal injury lawyer may negotiate a truck accident settlement at any time. To secure fair compensation, your legal team will emphasize:
- The severity of injuries
- Long-term impact on work and quality of life
- Negligence by the truck driver or company
- Breaches of federal regulations (e.g., driver fatigue, hours-of-service violations)
Negotiations can stretch across months, particularly if you suffered catastrophic injury or there’s dispute over fault parties.
6. Mediation (If Needed): 1 to 2 Months
In Georgia, courts may suggest mediation to avoid trial. This alternative dispute resolution (ADR) method allows both sides to discuss a fair settlement with the help of a neutral third party.
Mediation often lasts 1–2 days but requires a few weeks of scheduling and preparation.
7. Trial: 1 to 3 Weeks (After Delays)
If mediation fails, your case goes to trial, typically 12 to 24 months after filing. A truck crash trial may last a few days or weeks, depending on:
- Number of responsible parties
- Witnesses and expert testimony
- Depth of accident claims
Court backlogs and scheduling conflicts frequently cause delays.
8. Appeals (If Applicable): Additional Months
If you win at trial, the defendant may file an appeal to delay or reduce your financial compensation. An appeal can take several more months to resolve.
Summary Timeline: How Long a Trucking Lawsuit Can Take
| Stage | Duration |
| Immediate Aftermath | 1–2 weeks |
| Pre-Litigation Investigation | 1–3 months |
| Filing the Lawsuit | Within 2 years |
| Discovery Process | 6–12 months |
| Settlement Negotiations | Ongoing |
| Mediation (If Applicable) | 1–2 months |
| Trial (If Needed) | 1–3 weeks (after delays) |
| Appeals (If Applicable) | Several more months |
Typical Duration: 18–36 months for contested cases
Simpler cases: May resolve within 6–12 months
What Slows Down a Truck Accident Lawsuit?
- Disputes over liability
- Delays accessing insurance policies and black box data
- Multiple liable parties (e.g., driver, company, manufacturer)
- Serious or permanent disabilities
- Slow-moving insurance claim reviews
Why Trucking Lawsuits Take Longer Than Car Accidents
18-wheeler accidents are more complex due to:
- Involvement of commercial trucks and federal regulations
- Extensive records: driver logs, black box data, and more
- Higher average settlements
- Larger teams of legal defense from trucking companies and insurers
These elements often require a longer, more aggressive legal strategy.
How Ted Law Firm Helps You Every Step of the Way
At Ted Law Firm, we understand how overwhelming it is to be a truck accident victim. Our truck accident lawyers manage everything from initial investigation through the settlement process or trial. We aim to:
- Maximize your compensatory damages
- Hold negligent truck drivers and companies accountable
- Ensure you receive treatment recommendations for long-term recovery
- Fight for your right to maximum compensation
We don’t just settle fast, we build strong cases that withstand legal scrutiny.
Injured in a Truck Accident in Georgia?
Don’t wait to protect your rights. Contact Ted Law Firm today for a free case review with an experienced truck accident attorney. Let us fight to get you the fair settlement and justice you deserve.
Injured in a truck accident in Georgia? Contact Ted Law Firm today for a free case review, let us fight for the compensation you deserve. Truck accidents are life-changing, and you shouldn’t have to fight for fair treatment alone. Let us protect your rights and help you get the financial support you need. We proudly serve clients across all of Georgia including Columbus, Macon, Athens, Savannah, Warner Robins and Atlanta. No matter where you are in either state, we’re here to help. There’s no risk just experienced support from a team you can trust.
You’re in good hands with Ted Law Firm.
Attorney Ted Sink, founder of The Ted Law Firm, is a Yale, Stanford Business School, and Charleston School of Law graduate and former marketing executive who built a 7-figure law practice, earning millions for his clients. With experience in both law and advertising, Ted has been recognized in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the ABA Journal. He speaks at industry conferences on marketing and law firm management, sharing insights from his unique background to help other firms grow. When not working, Ted enjoys traveling, diving, and dog-sitting golden retrievers.
