How Long Does an 18 Wheeler Case Take to Settle?
Accidents involving large trucks are more complex than other types of accidents. Trucking companies also have teams of lawyers who are determined not to admit liability and limit the amount of compensation plaintiffs receive.
A personal injury lawyer will conduct an investigation into the accident and determine who was at fault. They will also fight for fair compensation. Here are some guidelines to help you get started.
Collecting evidence
As with any crash an accident involving a truck needs to be properly investigated and documented. This includes gathering evidence from the scene of the accident, gathering witnesses, and obtaining photographs of the incident. The more evidence we can gather to back your claim, the greater your chances of receiving the amount you deserve.
A top lawyer will collaborate with experts in trucking and safety to collect all this information. They will send spoliation warnings to trucking companies in order to keep any documents that could prove violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations that led to your accident. If authorities are conducting an investigation trucking companies are likely to remove documents. A prompt response could help you build your case.
Some of the most critical pieces of evidence that we gather are derived from the truck's onboard technology and the driver's logbook. This data can reveal a variety of things, such as the driver of the truck speeding or driving too long, which results in fatigue. It could also help determine the person responsible for the accident.
This is why it's important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible following the incident. The window of time to make a claim is extremely short, and even a month can be detrimental to your claim. A qualified attorney can gather evidence and prepare the claim before the deadline runs out.
Seeking Medical Attention
The need for medical attention as soon as you are aware of an accident is crucial. You can take care of your injuries while protecting your legal rights. If an insurance adjuster attempts to talk to you, be courteous but firm enough to refer them to your attorney. This will stop them from using what they have said later against you.
When a commercial truck is involved in an accident, it may cause significant damage and serious injuries. These accidents can occur for a variety of reasons. Some of these accidents are common to all vehicles, and others are only relevant to large trucks. Speeding is a common feature of truck drivers. They often travel for miles in a short time, and could speed up to reach their destination. Distractions like texting, phone calls navigation systems, daydreaming, or other activities that take the driver's attention away from the road. Distance to stop Larger trucks require more time to stop as compared to passenger vehicles.
It is important to preserve any evidence found at the accident site. Photograph the damage and the 18-wheeler that struck you and the crash site. If there are any witnesses, collect their contact details and ask them provide a statement for your case. Attend all appointments and seek treatment for your injuries. The insurance company could consider your absence to a treatment against you when evaluating your claim.
Getting Help from an Attorney
If you have been involved in an accident that involved an
18 wheeler accident attorneys-wheeler, it is recommended that you be sure to contact a seasoned lawyer. Hiring an attorney immediately is the best way to safeguard yourself and receive maximum compensation for your injuries. Don't contact the insurance company without consulting an attorney first. They will try to make you settle for less than the claim is worth. Let an experienced lawyer negotiate with the insurance company as you recover from your injuries.
Trucking companies are governed by federal and state laws, as and private laws which can add to the complexity of these cases. Trucking companies often aggressively defend a case to limit their own liability. An experienced lawyer can even the playing field and negotiate with the trucking business to maximize your settlement.
Large trucks can cause serious accidents that can result in serious injuries. A McAllen attorney for accidents involving 18-wheelers will assist you in obtaining the amount of compensation you are entitled to, including for your injuries as well as vehicle damage, lost wages and legal costs. A knowledgeable lawyer will ensure that you make your claim within the two year statute of limitations. This is crucial, since the evidence you have submitted may be discarded or witnesses could have passed away. If you have been injured in an accident with an
18 wheeler accident lawyer-wheeler, call our firm for a free consultation.
Getting an Settlement
There are a myriad of factors that affect the time it takes to settle an 18-wheeler accident case. Some of these are disputes over damages and liability. It can also take longer to settle a truck crash lawsuit if there multiple parties involved. The parties involved may not be willing to compromise, which can lead negotiations to take longer.
If you've reached a negotiated settlement in your
18 wheeler accident lawyers wheeler accident case, the amount you receive will be determined by how severe your injuries were and what kind of damages you suffered. The most frequent damages in this type of case include medical bills as well as lost wages and property damage. Your lawyer will take into consideration the costs of your current treatment as well as your future medical needs when making a calculation of your damages. Non-economic damages are difficult to quantify. However your lawyer will work with experts to provide an accurate representation 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 a settlement with their clients. The exact percentage of final settlement or court award a plaintiff attorney receives depends on the laws of the state and particulars of each case. Most attorneys in this field take one third of their clients' final compensation.