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 attorney for personal injuries who knows the law regarding trucking and can help you obtain the highest possible settlement. It could take anything from three months to several years to settle a truck accident case.

Finding out who is responsible for these kinds of accidents can be challenging and several parties could be liable for your damages. An experienced attorney can identify the parties responsible and assert claims against each of them.

Damages

Because of the much greater weight and size of a commercial truck compared to a passenger vehicle, accidents involving 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks that are large can cause severe, and even life-threatening injuries. They also usually result in more severe destruction to vehicles and property. Therefore, the damages awarded in 18 wheeler accident settlements and jury awards are usually significantly greater than those in the typical motor vehicle crash.

Sometimes, several parties can be at fault for an 18 wheeler accident lawsuit-wheeler crash. This could include the truck driver who's negligence is typically the primary cause of these accidents. The trucking company is employed by them could be held liable if it is unable to provide the proper training or equipment for their drivers. The trucking company may also be held accountable if it encourages or rewards their drivers to violate federal regulations on hours of service. The truck's manufacturer, or its parts, could also be held accountable if an auto defect causes an accident.

Recognizing all parties responsible is vital to securing an honest and complete settlement. An experienced 18 wheeler lawyer will investigate your case to determine who is responsible for your accident and be fully prepared to pursue compensation from each party responsible. In addition to pursuing financial losses, your lawyer may also pursue damages that are not economic like suffering and pain.

Liability

Accidents involving trucks can be more complicated than claims for car accidents. The truck driver, trucking company, and even the manufacturer of the vehicle can all be held accountable for an accident. Additionally, the trucking industry has incentives that could cause trucks to be reckless in their driving or even not sleep in order to make deliveries on time.

These factors can increase the amount of time it takes to settle a truck accident claim. The injury of the plaintiff can have an impact on how long it will take to get compensation. The most severe injuries usually result in larger settlement amounts in comparison to minor injuries that could result in a smaller settlement.

The insurance company of the trucking company will also attempt to reduce its liability by reducing the value of the claim. It is essential to contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. They will be able to fight these tactics of intimidation to make sure that you receive the money that you deserve.

In addition, other documents like the bill of lading or black box data can be used to determine which party is liable for the truck crash. These documents may prove that the driver of the truck was reckless in his driving. They can also be used to determine whether there was involvement by the trucking company in the accident. The truck manufacturer may also be responsible for the accident in the event of a defective product.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitation determines the length of time you must make a claim for an accident. The period of time varies according to the state and also depends on the kind of accident you were involved in. In general you have four years to bring an action for personal injury, and two years to file a wrongful-death lawsuit. An experienced attorney can help you navigate through the process and determine whether you have an opportunity to pursue a claim.

Your personal injury lawyer will examine the accident scene and interview witnesses. They will also review medical records. They will also go through driver logbooks, employee records and maintenance records to determine who was at fault. This may take a while and it's crucial to begin this process as soon possible to preserve the evidence.

The trucking company and their insurance provider will fight to avoid paying you what you are due. They may also attempt to downplay your injuries or even exaggerate the severity of your injuries. If they are successful it could delay settlement of your claim. You could wait longer than a year for your settlement.

Your lawyer will be able to make sure that the statute of limitations doesn't expire before you're able to settle your claim or take it to trial. There are certain circumstances which can extend the statute of limitations, including the fact that you are a minor or suffer from mental impairment.

Timeline

In the United States, there are hundreds of thousands of semi-truck accidents each year that cause fatal injuries and even death. The law firms that specialize on these accidents earn huge sums of money. The settlements made in 18 wheeler accidents have been in the millions of dollars, and oftentimes even billions.

Due to the nature of trucking accidents a thorough investigation must be carried out to determine the responsibility and damages. This process can take up to several months. If there are multiple parties involved, it can take longer to reach an agreement on the liability and damages.

It is crucial that a knowledgeable trucking accident lawyer is present early in the process to ensure that your best interests are being protected. A lawyer can help you determine the maximum compensation you deserve. They can also make sure that the insurance company is not trying to pay your claim too fast and they are providing a fair value.

Attorneys generally work on a contingency fee basis. They are not paid until the case is won. They generally receive around 1/3 of the final settlement or the court's award. They have to wait until the rest of their money arrives before they can pay their bills and expenses.