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

If you've been involved in a crash involving an 18 wheeler You need an attorney for personal injuries who understands trucking law and can help you obtain the highest possible settlement. It can take anything from three months to several years to settle a truck accident case.

Determining fault in these types of accidents can be difficult, and multiple parties may be responsible for the damages. An experienced lawyer will be able identify the parties responsible and take legal action against them.

Damages

Because of the significantly greater weight and size of a truck versus a passenger vehicle accidents involving 18-wheelers as well as other large commercial trucks often result in serious, even life-threatening injuries. These accidents are also more likely to result in significant destruction to property and vehicles. In this way, the amount of damages awarded in 18 wheeler accident settlements and jury awards are often significantly greater than those in the typical motor vehicle crash.

Sometimes, several parties are accountable for an 18-wheeler accident. This could include the truck driver and his negligence is typically the main cause of these accidents. The trucking company that they work for may also be held accountable if the company does not provide proper training or equipment to their drivers. Additionally, the trucking company could be held accountable when they encourage or reward their drivers to go over the federal regulations on hours of service. Finally, the manufacturer of the truck or its parts can be held responsible for an auto defect that results in an accident.

Identifying all the liable parties is vital to securing a full and fair settlement. An experienced 18 wheeler lawyer will examine your case to determine who is accountable for the crash. They will then be prepared to pursue compensation from each of the parties responsible. Attorneys can seek damages that are not economic, such as discomfort and pain in addition to financial losses.

Liability

The legal process for truck accidents is more complicated than car accident claims. The truck driver, trucking company, and even the manufacturer of the vehicle can all be held accountable for an accident. The trucking industry has incentives that can cause trucks to drive recklessly or even skip sleep to speed up deliveries.

These factors can prolong the time it takes to settle a truck accident claim. The injuries suffered by the plaintiff could influence how long it takes to receive compensation. For serious injuries, it is possible to receive a larger settlement amount than minor injuries.

In addition, the trucking firm's insurance company will attempt to minimize their liability by reducing the value of the claim. It is essential to contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. They will be able to fight these tactics to ensure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to.

Furthermore, supplementary documents such as the bill of lading and black box data can help determine who is accountable for the truck crash. These documents can show that the truck driver was reckless and can help determine whether the trucking company had any involvement in the crash. The truck manufacturer could be liable for the accident when they made a mistake with their product.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitations determines the time period within which you can start a lawsuit following an automobile accident. The length of time can differ by state and is dependent on the type of accident you've been involved in. You have a general four-year period for filing a personal injury suit and a two year timeframe to file a wrongful-death suit. An experienced attorney will help you navigate the process and determine if you have an action.

The personal injury lawyer you hire will examine the accident scene, interview witnesses and review medical records. They will also look over the logbooks of employees, driver logbooks and maintenance records to determine who was at fault. It can take a long time therefore it is important to begin the process immediately to safeguard the evidence.

The trucking company and their insurance provider will fight to avoid paying you the compensation you deserve. They might also attempt to reduce or exaggerate the severity of your injuries. If they are successful they could delay the settlement of your claim. You could be waiting more than a whole year to receive your settlement.

Your lawyer can ensure that the statute of limitations does not expire until you settle your claim or brought it to court. There are certain circumstances that can overcome the statute of limitations, such as the fact that you are a minor or have mental impairment.

Timeline

In the United States, there are tens of thousands of semi-truck accidents every year that result in severe injuries and death. Law firms that focus in these incidents earn huge sums of money. Settlements reached in 18 wheeler accidents have been in the millions of dollars, and often, billions of dollars.

An exhaustive investigation is necessary due to the severity and nature of trucking accidents. This process can take up to several months. In addition, 18 wheeler accident if a case involves multiple parties, it may take longer for them to agree on the liability and damages.

To safeguard your rights, it's crucial to have an experienced trucking accident lawyer on board at the beginning of the process. A lawyer can help you determine the highest amount of amount of compensation you're entitled to. They can also ensure that the insurance company doesn't attempt to settle your claim fast and is able to offer an acceptable price.

Attorneys typically work on a contingent fee. They are not paid unless the case is won. They usually get around 1/3 of the final settlement or court award. This means that they must wait for the remainder of the money to come in before they can pay their bills or expenses.