How Long Does It Take to File an 18 Wheeler Lawsuit?
If you are involved in an accident with an
18 wheeler accident lawsuits-wheeler, you'll need a personal attorney who is familiar with trucking laws and can help you obtain the best settlement possible. It could take anything from three months to several years to settle a truck accident case.
There could be multiple parties responsible for your losses. The process of determining who is responsible for these types of accidents can be a challenge. An experienced lawyer can identify the parties responsible and seek claims against each of them.
Damages
Because of the much greater weight and size of a truck versus passengers accidents involving 18-wheelers as well as other large commercial trucks often cause severe, and even life-threatening injuries. These accidents also typically result in more severe damage to property and vehicles. Therefore, the damages awarded in
18 wheeler accident settlements and jury awards are often significantly higher than those of a normal motor vehicle crash.
Sometimes, several parties are accountable for an 18-wheeler crash. Truck drivers are often the main reason for accidents, since they are negligent. However, the trucking company they work for could be held accountable in the event that they fail to properly train their drivers or provide them with proper equipment. The trucking company might also be held accountable if it encourages or rewards its drivers to violate the federal laws regarding hours of service. The truck's manufacturer, or its parts, could also be held accountable for auto defects that cause an accident.
It is important to identify all parties who are responsible for the accident in order to secure a fair and full settlement. A skilled 18 wheeler lawyer will review your case to determine the person responsible for your accident and be fully prepared to seek the compensation of each party responsible. In addition to seeking financial losses, your attorney can also pursue non-economic damages like suffering and pain.
Liability
The legal process for truck accidents is more complicated than claims for car accidents. Many parties could be held responsible for the accident, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and the manufacturer of the vehicle. The trucking industry also offers incentives that can cause trucks to drive recklessly or even to sleep in order to deliver their goods quickly.
These factors can impact the time required to settle a claim for an accident. The injuries suffered by the plaintiff also play a role in the length of time it will take to receive compensation. Severe injuries often lead to higher settlement amounts in comparison to minor injuries that might result in a lower settlement.
Furthermore, the trucking company's insurance provider will try to minimize their responsibility by reducing the value of the claim. This is why it's important to engage an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as you can. They will be able to fight these intimidation tactics to ensure that you receive the money that you deserve.
Additional documents such as the bill of lading and black box data can help determine the party responsible for the truck crash. These documents could prove that the driver of the truck was driving recklessly. They can also be used to determine whether there was any involvement by the trucking company involved in the accident. The manufacturer of the truck could also be held accountable for the accident when they made a mistake with their product.
Statute of limitations
The statute of limitations determines the period of time that you can bring a lawsuit following an auto accident. The time frame varies from state to state and is contingent on the type of accident that you were involved in. In general there are four years to bring an action for personal injury, and two years to file a wrongful-death suit. A seasoned attorney will assist you through the process and determine if you have a claim.
Your personal injury lawyer will review the scene of the accident, question witnesses, and examine medical records, driver logbooks, employee files, and maintenance records to determine who was at fault for the accident. This can take a considerable amount of time and it is essential to begin this work as quickly as you can in order to secure evidence.
The trucking company and their insurance company will fight to not pay you the amount you deserved. They might also try to downplay your injuries or even exaggerate them. If they succeed it could delay settlement of your claim. You could wait for more than a year to receive your settlement.
Your lawyer can make sure that the statute of limitation will not run out until you have settled your dispute or brought it to court. Some circumstances can override the statute of limitation for instance, if you are an under-age person and suffer from mental disabilities.
Timeline
In the United States, there are thousands of semi-truck accidents every year that result in fatal injuries and even death. Law firms that focus on these incidents make huge sums of money. Settlements for
18 wheeler accidents-wheeler accident cases can be in the millions or billions of dollars.
An exhaustive investigation is necessary due to the severity and nature of trucking accidents. This process can take several months to be completed. If there are multiple parties involved, it might take longer to reach an agreement on the amount of damages and liability.
To safeguard your interests, it's crucial to get a knowledgeable trucking accident lawyer available at the beginning of the process. An attorney can help you determine the best compensation you deserve. They can also ensure that the insurance company does not try to settle your claim as quickly as possible and is able to offer an acceptable price.
Attorneys generally operate on a contingency fee basis. They are not paid unless the case is won. They generally receive around one third of the final settlement or the court's award. They must therefore wait until the remainder of their funds arrive before they can settle their bills and expenses.