How Long Does an 18 Wheeler Case Take to Settle?
Accidents with large vehicles are more complex than accidents that involve other types of vehicles. Trucking companies also have teams of lawyers who are determined to not admit liability and limit the amount of compensation plaintiffs receive.
A personal injury lawyer will analyze the incident to determine who's responsible and fight for fair compensation. Here are some suggestions to help you get started.
Collecting evidence
Like all crashes, a truck accident needs to be properly investigated and documented. This involves collecting evidence from the scene of the accident, gathering witnesses, and obtaining photographs of the accident. The more evidence we have to prove your claim, the higher your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.
A top lawyer will collaborate with experts in trucking and safety to collect all this information. They will send spoliation notices to trucking companies in order to save any documents that may prove violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations that led to your accident. When authorities are investigating trucking companies often remove documents. A quick response can aid in establishing your case.
Some of the most important pieces of evidence that we collect are from the truck's on-board technology and the logbook of the driver. This information can reveal many things, such as the truck driver speeding, or driving for too long, resulting in fatigue. This information can also be used to determine who is responsible for an accident.
It is essential to speak with an attorney as soon as you can after the accident. The time frame to make a claim is extremely short, and even a month can hurt your case. An experienced lawyer can gather evidence and file the claim before the deadline runs out.
Seek medical attention
It is important to seek medical attention right away after an accident. This assists you in treating your injuries and protects your legal rights. Invite an insurance adjuster to your lawyer with respect and politeness in the event that they attempt to talk to you. This will prevent them from using your words against you in the future.
A commercial truck can cause serious damage and even injuries when involved in an accident. Accidents can occur for a variety of different reasons. Certain are common to all kinds of vehicles, and some are exclusive to large trucks. Speeding - truck drivers often travel many miles in a short time, and might speed up to get to their destination. Distractions like texts, phone calls and navigation systems. Daydreaming is a different distraction that could take the driver's focus off the road. Distance to stop: larger trucks need more time to stop as compared to passenger vehicles.
It is vital to save any evidence found at the accident site. Take pictures of the damage and the 18-wheeler that struck you, as well as the scene of the crash. Get any witnesses to give an account of your situation. Get their contact information. Attend all appointments and seek treatment for your injuries. If you skip a treatment, the insurance company might make use of it in your claim.
Contacting an Attorney for Help
In addition to seeking medical treatment, if you've been involved in an accident involving an 18 wheeler it is important to contact an experienced attorney. Engaging an attorney as soon as possible is the best way to safeguard yourself and to receive the most compensation for your injuries. Don't contact the insurance company without consulting an attorney first. They will try to get you to accept a lower amount than your claim is worth. While you recuperate your claim, let an experienced lawyer handle the insurance company.
The trucking industry is governed by federal law, state and private laws. This can make cases more difficult. Trucking companies often aggressively defend a case to minimize their own liability. An experienced lawyer can negotiate with the trucking company to maximize the settlement.
Large trucks cause serious accidents that can lead to serious injuries. A McAllen
18 wheeler accident lawyer can assist you in getting the compensation you're due for your injuries, car damage, lost wages, legal fees and pain and suffering. An experienced lawyer will ensure that your claim is filed within the timeframe of two years. This is essential, because old evidence could be discarded or witnesses could die. If you've been injured in an accident that involved an 18 wheeler, contact our firm to schedule an appointment for a no-cost consultation.
Making a Settlement
There are many variables that can influence the time it takes to settle an
18 wheeler accident attorneys-wheeler accident case. This includes disputes over damages and liability. It can also take longer to settle a truck crash lawsuit if there multiple parties involved. These parties may be reluctant to agree, which could result in lengthy discussions.
The amount you receive after an agreement has been reached in your
18 wheeler accident lawyer-wheeler collision case will depend on the extent of your injuries as well as injuries you sustained. In this kind of claim the most frequent damages are medical bills, lost wages and property damage. When the calculation of damages, your lawyer will take into consideration the costs of your current treatment and the future medical requirements. Non-economic damages are difficult to quantify. However your lawyer will collaborate with experts to develop an accurate estimate of your loss.
The majority of plaintiff attorneys are paid on an hourly basis, which means they are not paid until they prevail in the case or negotiate an agreement with their clients. The percentage of a settlement or court award a plaintiff attorney receives depends on the state law and details of each case. Most lawyers in this field take only a third of their client's final compensation.