How Long Does It Take to File an 18 Wheeler Lawsuit?

If you've been involved in a crash involving an 18 wheeler accident lawsuit-wheeler you'll need an attorney who understands trucking law and can help you get the best possible settlement. A truck accident case could take between three months to two years to settle.

Determining who is at fault in these types of accidents can be difficult and several parties could be responsible for your losses. A skilled attorney will be able identify all parties liable and take legal action against them.

Damages

Due to the greater weight and size of a truck versus a passenger vehicle accidents involving 18-wheelers as well as other commercial trucks of this size often result in serious, even life-threatening injuries. These accidents are also more likely to result in significant damage to vehicles and property. The damages that are awarded in 18 wheeler accidents settlements and jury awards are often much higher than the damages of a typical motor vehicle accident.

There are times when multiple parties are accountable for an 18-wheeler accident. These include the truck driver, whose negligence is usually the leading cause of these accidents. However, the company they work for could be held responsible if they fail to properly educate their drivers or provide them with adequate equipment. The trucking firm could be liable if they encourage or rewards its drivers to break federal regulations on hours of service. In addition, the company that makes the truck or its parts can be held responsible for an auto defect that leads to an accident.

It is essential to identify the parties accountable for the accident to obtain a fair and full settlement. A competent attorney for 18-wheelers will review the case to determine which party is accountable for the accident and be ready to seek compensation from each responsible party. Your lawyer may seek damages that are not economic, such as pain and discomfort as well as financial losses.

Liability

Truck accident cases are much more complicated than regular car accident claims. Many parties could be held accountable for the accident, which includes the driver of the truck, the trucking company, and the vehicle manufacturer. The trucking industry also provides incentives that can cause trucks to speed recklessly or even to sleep in order to make quick deliveries.

These factors can impact how long it takes to settle a claim for an accident. Injury to the plaintiff may affect the time it takes to get compensation. Severe injuries often lead to larger settlement amounts in comparison to minor injuries which may result in a smaller settlement.

In addition, the trucking firm's insurance company will try to minimize their liability by reducing the value of the claim. Therefore, it is important to find a truck accident lawyer immediately. They will be able to fight these tactics to ensure that you receive the money that you deserve.

Additional documents, like the black box data and bill of lading can also help determine who is responsible for the accident on the truck. These documents may show that the driver of the truck was driving recklessly. They can also be used to determine whether there was involvement by the trucking company in the crash. If the truck manufacturer manufactured a defective vehicle and was responsible for the crash.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitations defines how long you have to start a lawsuit in the event of the cause of a crash. The statute of limitations varies state-to-state and depends on the type of accident that you were involved in. You are given a general four-year window to file a personal injury suit, and a two-year window to file a wrongful-death suit. A knowledgeable attorney can guide you through the process and determine whether you have an issue.

Your personal injury lawyer will look over the scene of the accident and interview witnesses. They will also review medical records. They will also examine the logbooks of employees, driver logbooks and maintenance records in order to determine who was at fault. This can take a substantial amount of time, so it is essential to begin this work as soon as possible in order to preserve evidence.

The trucking company and their insurance provider will fight to not pay you what you are due. They might also try to downplay your injuries or even exaggerate the severity of your injuries. If they are successful, it can delay the settling of your claim. Ultimately, you could wait for a settlement for a full year after the accident.

Your lawyer can make sure that the time limit does not expire before you're able to settle your claim or go to trial. There are some circumstances that can overcome the time limit, for example the fact that you are a minor or have a mental handicap.

Timeline

In the United States, there are tens of thousands of semi-truck accidents each year that cause debilitating injuries and death. These accidents are huge business for [empty] law firms that specialize in handling them. Settlements for 18-wheeler accident cases can reach millions and even billions of dollars.

An extensive investigation is necessary due to the severity and nature of trucking accidents. This process can take a few months to be completed. If there are multiple parties involved, it can take longer to reach an agreement on damages and liability.

To protect your rights, it's crucial to have an experienced trucking accident lawyer on your side early in the process. An attorney can assist in determining the highest amount of compensation you deserve. They can also make sure that the insurance company does not attempt to settle your claim as quickly as possible and is offering a fair amount.

Attorneys typically operate on a contingency fee basis. They are not paid until the case is won. They are paid about one-third of any final settlement or court award. This means that they must wait for the remainder of the money to come in before they can pay their bills or expenses.