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

If you've been involved in a crash involving an 18-wheeler, you need an injury lawyer who is familiar with the laws governing trucking and will assist you in obtaining the best possible settlement. A truck crash case can take between three months to two years to settle.

Many parties could be accountable for your damages. The process of determining who is responsible for these cases is a difficult. A knowledgeable attorney can determine the responsible parties and make claims against each one of them.

Damages

Accidents involving 18-wheelers or other large commercial trucks could result in serious, even life-threatening injuries. This is due to the weight and size of a truck being much larger than a car for a passenger. These accidents are also more likely to result in significant damage to vehicles and property. This is why the damages paid out by juries as well as settlements in 18 wheeler accidents are often much higher than those awarded for a normal motor vehicle accident.

There are many parties that could be accountable for an 18 wheeler accident lawyers-wheeler crash. Truck drivers are usually the main cause of accidents, as they are negligent. However, the company they work for can be held responsible in the event they fail to educate their drivers or provide them with proper equipment. The trucking firm could be held accountable if it encourages or rewards their drivers to break the federal rules regarding hours of service. The manufacturer of the truck or its components can be held responsible in the event of an auto defect which causes an accident.

It is vital to identify the parties accountable for the accident to obtain an equitable and complete settlement. A skilled attorney for 18 wheelers will examine your case to determine who is accountable for the accident, and will be fully prepared to pursue compensation from each party responsible. Attorneys can pursue non-economic damages such as discomfort and pain in addition to financial losses.

Liability

The legal process for truck accidents is much more complex than car accident claims. The truck driver, trucking company and vehicle manufacturer could all be held responsible for an accident. The trucking industry also has incentives that may encourage trucks to drive recklessly or even skip sleeping to deliver their goods quickly.

These factors can prolong the time required to settle a truck accident claim. The injuries of the plaintiff also play a role in how long it will take to get compensation. For serious injuries, it is possible to receive an amount of settlement that is higher than minor injuries.

The insurance provider of the trucking company will also attempt to reduce its liability by reducing the amount of the claim. This is why it is crucial to find a seasoned truck accident lawyer as quickly as possible. They will combat these intimidation tactics to get you the justice you deserve.

Additionally, additional documents such as the bill of lading as well as black box data can help identify who is accountable for the truck accident. These documents can prove that the driver of the truck was driving recklessly and can aid in determining whether the trucking company was involved in any involvement in the accident. If the truck manufacturer manufactured a defective vehicle it could be the one responsible for the crash.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitations defines the length of time you must start a lawsuit in the event of a crash. This period varies by state and also depends on the kind of accident you were involved in. In general there are four years to file a personal injury claim, and two years to file a wrongful death suit. A knowledgeable attorney can guide you through the process and determine if you're eligible for a claim.

Your personal injury lawyer will investigate the area of the accident, talk to witnesses, and examine medical documents, driver logbooks, maintenance and employee records to find out who was at fault for the crash. It can take a long time so it's essential to begin this process immediately to safeguard the evidence.

The trucking company, and their insurance company, will do everything they can to prevent paying the amount you are due. They may also attempt to minimize your injuries, or even exaggerate the severity of your injuries. If they succeed they could delay the settlement of your claim. You could be waiting longer than a year for your settlement.

Your lawyer will make sure that the time limit does not expire before you are capable of settling your claim or even go to trial. Certain circumstances may be able to override the statute of limitation in certain situations, attorneys for example, the case of an adult and suffer from mental disabilities.

Timeline

Tens of thousands of semi truck accidents occur in the United States each year, leading to fatal injuries or even death. These incidents are a huge business for law firms who specialize in handling them. The settlements reached in 18 wheeler accident cases have been in the millions of dollars, and often, billions.

A thorough investigation is required due to the severity and Attorneys nature of trucking accidents. This process can take several months. In addition, if the case involves multiple parties, it could take longer to get them to agree on damages and liability.

It is crucial that a knowledgeable trucking accident lawyer is involved at the beginning of the process to ensure that your interests are protected. A lawyer can help you with determining the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. They can also ensure that the insurance company isn't trying to resolve your claim too quickly and that they are offering an appropriate amount.

Attorneys typically work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they won't be paid until they prevail in the case. They get around one-third of any final settlement or judgment of the court. This means that they must wait for the rest of the money to come in before they can pay their bills and expenses.