How Long Does It Take to File an 18 Wheeler Lawsuit?

If you've been involved in a collision with an 18-wheeler You need a personal injury attorney that knows the law regarding trucking and can help you obtain the highest possible settlement. It could take up to three months or a couple of years to settle a truck crash case.

Many parties could be accountable for your losses. Finding out who was at fault for these types of accidents can be a challenge. An experienced lawyer will be able to determine all liable parties and seek to pursue claims against them.

Damages

Due to the greater weight and size of a commercial truck compared to a passenger vehicle accident involving 18-wheelers or other commercial trucks of this size often result in serious, even life-threatening injuries. These accidents can also cause much more substantial damage to property and vehicles. As such, damages that are awarded in 18 wheeler accidents settlements and jury awards are usually significantly greater than those in a normal motor vehicle crash.

Sometimes, several parties are responsible for an 18 wheeler accident-wheeler collision. Truck drivers are often the main driver of accidents since they are negligent. The trucking company is employed by them could be held liable if it does not provide adequate training or equipment to its drivers. Furthermore, the company that operates the truck can be held liable for incentivizing or encouraging their drivers to exceed federal hours-of-service regulations. The manufacturer of the truck or its components can also be held responsible in the event that an auto defect leads to an accident.

Identifying all the liable parties is essential to secure the most fair and comprehensive settlement. A skilled 18 wheeler lawyer will investigate your case in order to determine who is responsible for your accident and be fully prepared to seek compensation from each of the parties responsible. Your lawyer can pursue non-economic damages, such as pain and discomfort as well as financial losses.

Liability

Truck accident cases are more complicated than standard car accident claims. The truck driver, trucking company, and even the manufacturer of the vehicle can all be held responsible for the consequences of an accident. The trucking industry also provides incentives that can cause trucks to drive recklessly or even skip sleeping to deliver their goods quickly.

These factors can increase the time it takes to settle a claim for an accident. The injuries suffered by the plaintiff could also affect how long it takes to get compensation. The severity of injuries can result in a larger settlement amount than minor injuries.

Moreover, the trucking company's insurance company will try to reduce their liability by reducing the value the claim. Therefore, it is important to get a truck crash lawyer as soon as you can. They will fight back against these tactics of intimidation to ensure that you receive the money you deserve.

Additionally, additional documents like the bill of lading and black box data can help determine the party responsible for the truck accident. These documents may prove that the truck driver was reckless and also help determine whether the trucking firm had any involvement in the crash. If the truck manufacturer had a defective vehicle, they may be responsible for the crash.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitations defines how long you have to bring a lawsuit after a crash. The time frame varies from state to state and is contingent on the type of accident you suffered. In general you will have up to four years to file 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 you have an outstanding case.

Your personal injury attorney will investigate the scene of the accident and interview witnesses. They will also look over medical records. They will also look over the logbooks of employees, driver logbooks and maintenance records to determine who was at fault. This can take a substantial amount of time and it is important to start this work as quickly as possible to preserve evidence.

The trucking company and their insurance provider will fight to stop paying you what you deserve. They might also attempt to minimize or exaggerate your injuries. If they are successful, it can delay the settling of your claim, and you could be waiting for your settlement for over a year following the crash.

Your lawyer can ensure that the statute of limitation is not triggered until you have settled your claim or 18 wheeler accidents taken the matter to court. There are some circumstances which can extend the statute of limitations, for instance the fact that you are a minor or suffer from mental impairment.

Timeline

In the United States, there are tens of thousands of semi truck accidents every year that result in debilitating injuries and death. The law firms that specialize in these cases earn huge sums of money. Settlements in 18-wheeler accident cases can reach millions and even billions of dollars.

Due to the nature of trucking accidents, an exhaustive investigation has to be carried out to determine liability and damages. The process can take several months to be completed. If there are multiple parties involved, it could take longer to reach an agreement on liability and damages.

To protect your interests It is essential to have a skilled trucking accident lawyer on your side at the beginning of the process. A lawyer can help you determine the amount of amount of compensation you're entitled to. They can also make sure that the insurance company doesn't attempt to settle your claim quickly and is providing an affordable price.

Attorneys typically work on a contingent fee basis. This means that they don't get paid unless they prevail in the case. They typically receive about one-third of the final settlement or the court's award. They have to wait until the remainder of their money arrives before they can pay their bills and expenses.