How Long Does It Take to File an 18 Wheeler Lawsuit?
If you're involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler vehicle, you'll require a lawyer who is knowledgeable of trucking laws and can assist you to obtain the best settlement possible. It could take anything from three months to several years to settle a truck accident case.
Many parties could be accountable for your losses. Finding out who is at fault in these types of accidents can be a challenge. A knowledgeable attorney can determine all responsible parties and assert claims against each of them.
Damages
Accidents involving 18-wheelers or other large commercial trucks could result in serious, life-threatening injuries. This is due to the weight and size of a truck being much greater than a passenger car. These accidents are also more likely to cause significant destruction to property and vehicles. This is why the damages awarded by juries and settlements in 18 wheeler crashes are usually significantly higher than those given for a normal motor vehicle accident.
Sometimes, several parties can be responsible for the cause of an
18 wheeler accident Lawsuits-wheeler collision. Truck drivers are typically the main cause of accidents, as they are negligent. The trucking company that they work for could also be held responsible if it does not provide proper training or equipment to their drivers. Furthermore, the company that operates the truck is liable when they encourage or reward their drivers to overstep federal hours-of-service regulations. In addition, the company that makes the truck or its components can be held liable for an auto defect which causes an accident.
Finding all the responsible parties is crucial to securing an equitable and fair settlement. A skilled attorney for
18 wheeler accident lawsuits-wheelers will investigate your case in order to determine who is responsible for causing the accident, and will 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, such as pain and suffering.
Liability
Truck accident cases are much more complicated than regular car accident claims. The truck driver, trucking company and vehicle manufacturer can all be held responsible for an accident. The trucking industry also has incentives that could encourage trucks to speed recklessly or even skip sleep to deliver their goods quickly.
These factors can prolong the time it takes to settle a truck accident claim. The injuries suffered by the plaintiff also affect how long it will take to receive compensation. Serious injuries can lead to greater settlement amounts than minor injuries.
Moreover, the trucking company's insurance company will try to limit their liability by reducing the value of the claim. Therefore, it is crucial to hire a truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. They will take on these tactics to ensure that you receive the money you deserve.
Additional documents, such as the black box data and bill of lading, could also help determine who is responsible for the accident on the truck. These documents could indicate that the driver of the truck was reckless in his driving. They can also be used to determine the extent of involvement of the trucking company in the crash. If the truck manufacturer had an unreliable vehicle and was responsible for the crash.
Statute of limitations
The statute of limitation sets the period of time that you can bring a lawsuit following a car accident. This period can vary by state and is dependent on the type 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. A seasoned attorney will assist you through the process and determine if there is an opportunity to pursue a claim.
Your personal injury lawyer will look over the area of the accident, talk to witnesses, and look over medical records, driver logbooks employee files, and maintenance records to find out who was at fault for the crash. This could take some time and it's crucial to begin this process as soon possible to preserve the evidence.
The trucking company and their insurance company, will do everything they can to delay paying what you deserve. They might also attempt to exaggerate or minimize the extent of your injuries. If they succeed, it can delay the settling of your claim, and you may be waiting for your settlement for more than a year following your accident.
Your lawyer will make sure that the statute of limitations doesn't expire before you're in a position to settle your case or bring it to trial. Some circumstances can override the statute of limitation, such as the case of minor and suffer from a mental impairment.
Timeline
In the United States, there are hundreds of thousands of semi-truck accidents every year that cause devastating injuries and deaths. These incidents are a huge business for law firms that specialize in handling these. Settlements reached in 18 wheeler accident cases have been in the millions of dollars, and often times, billions.
A thorough investigation is required due to the severity and nature of trucking accidents. This process could take several months to complete. In addition, if a case involves several parties, it might take longer to get them to agree on liability and damages.
To safeguard your rights it is crucial to have a skilled trucking accident lawyer in your corner at the beginning of the process. A lawyer can help you in determining what 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 the right amount.
Attorneys usually operate on a contingent fee basis. This means that they don't get paid unless they succeed in winning the case. They usually get around one-third of the final settlement or court award. They have to wait until the remainder of their money is received before they can settle their expenses and bills.