How Long Does It Take to File an 18 Wheeler Lawsuit?
If you are involved in an accident involving an 18-wheeler vehicle, you'll require a lawyer who is familiar with trucking laws and can help you achieve the highest settlement possible. It can take between three months and a couple of years to settle a truck crash case.
Many parties could be accountable for the damages you suffer. Determining the fault in these accidents is complicated. A skilled attorney will be able to identify all liable parties and seek to pursue claims against them.
Damages
Accidents involving 18-wheelers or other large commercial trucks can result in serious, even life-threatening injuries. This is due to the weight and size of a commercial truck being larger than a car for a passenger. These accidents are also more likely to cause extensive destruction to property and vehicles. In this way, the amount of damages awarded in 18 wheeler accident settlements and jury awards are typically significantly higher than those of the typical motor vehicle crash.
Sometimes, several parties are accountable for an 18-wheeler crash. This could include the driver of the truck who's negligence is often the leading cause of these accidents. However, the trucking company they work for could be held liable as well in the event that they fail to properly educate their drivers or provide them with adequate equipment. The trucking company could also be held accountable if it encourages or rewards their drivers to break the federal laws regarding hours of service. The manufacturer of the truck or its components is also liable if an auto defect causes an accident.
18 wheeler accident attorney surprise is vital to identify the parties responsible for the accident to get an equitable and complete settlement. A skilled attorney for 18 wheelers will investigate your case in order to determine the person responsible for your crash and then be fully prepared to seek compensation from each party responsible. In addition to pursuing financial losses, your attorney can also pursue damages not monetary like suffering and pain.
Liability
The cases involving truck accidents can be much more complex than claims for car accidents. Many parties could be held responsible for the occurrence, including the truck driver as well as the trucking firm and the car manufacturer. The trucking industry has incentives that can cause trucks to speed recklessly or even skip sleeping to speed up deliveries.
These elements can influence how long it takes to settle an accident claim. Injury to the plaintiff may influence how long it takes to receive compensation. For serious injuries, it is possible to receive a larger settlement amount than minor injuries.
Moreover, the trucking company's insurance provider will attempt to limit their liability by reducing the value the claim. Therefore, it is important to hire a truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. They will take on these tactics of intimidation to ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve.
Additional documents, like the black box data and bill of lading, could aid in determining who is responsible for the truck accident. These documents can prove that the driver of the truck was driving recklessly and also aid in determining whether the trucking company had any involvement in the accident. The truck manufacturer could be held accountable for the accident if they had a defective product.
Statute of limitations
The statute of limitations dictates how long you have to file a lawsuit for the cause of a crash. The length of time can differ by state and is determined by the kind of accident you were involved in. You have a four-year window to file an injury claim and a two year timeframe for filing a wrongful death suit. A seasoned attorney will help you navigate the process and determine whether you have an outstanding case.
The personal injury lawyer you hire will review the scene of the accident, interview witnesses and review medical records. They will also go through driver logbooks, employee records and maintenance records to determine who is at fault. This could take a significant amount of time, so it is important to begin the process as soon as you can to ensure the integrity of evidence.
The trucking company, as well as their insurance company will do all they can to stop paying what you deserved. They may also try to downplay your injuries or even exaggerate them. If they succeed it could delay settlement of your claim. You could be waiting for more than a year for your settlement.
Your lawyer will be able to make sure that the time limit does not expire before you're able to settle your claim or bring it to trial. Some circumstances can override the statute of limitations like the case of an adult and suffer from mental disabilities.
Timeline
Tens of thousands of semi-truck accidents happen in the United States each year, which can result in fatal injuries or even death. Law firms that focus on these incidents make lots of money. Settlements for 18-wheeler accident cases can reach millions and billions of dollars.
Due to the nature of trucking accidents, it is essential to conduct a thorough investigation completed to determine liability and damages. This process can take several months to be completed. In addition, if the case involves multiple parties, it could take longer to get them to agree on liability and damages.
To protect your rights it is crucial to have an experienced trucking accident lawyer in your corner at the beginning of the process. A lawyer can assist in determining what amount of compensation you're entitled. They can also ensure that the insurance company doesn't attempt to settle your claim quickly and is providing an acceptable price.
Attorneys usually work on a basis of contingent fees. They do not get paid until the case is won. They get around one-third of any final settlement or court award. They have to wait until the remainder of their money is available before they can pay their bills and expenses.