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

The amount of time required to settle a trucking crash instance can vary from case to case. The timeframe for settlement can be affected by a variety of factors.

It can take several months to determine who is responsible for an accident. A lawyer can help you identify all the liable parties and maximize the settlement.

What to Expect

The time frame for settling of a lawsuit involving an 18-wheeler is contingent on a myriad of factors, including the amount of liability and damages. The case may be delayed if the parties in the accident cannot agree on fault. If there are disputes about the evidence or testimony of witnesses, this can delay the proceedings.

Based on the severity of the injuries, the amount of the insurance policy of the trucking company and existing state or federal regulations for commercial vehicles, settlement amounts can vary widely. It is important to keep in mind that plaintiff attorneys are paid on a contingency basis, which means they don't get paid unless they win or settle the case.

Due to the serious and often fatal injuries that result from semi-truck accidents it's no surprise that these types of cases are big business for the lawyers who handle them. Therefore, it's not unusual for settlements in these cases to amount to millions of dollars or more. This is especially true if the trucking company has been declared to be negligent.

Liability

In the United States, there are more than 100,000 accidents each year involving 18-wheelers. Many of these truck crashes result in serious injuries or death. Insurance companies often undervalue the damage and injuries suffered by victims in these accidents. However, an experienced 18 wheeler accident attorney can level the playing field and negotiate with these big insurance companies to ensure that they offer their clients the maximum settlements.

The defendants in a lawsuit involving an 18-wheeler could be held accountable for several types of damages, including economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages could include medical bills, wages lost and future earnings. Non-economic damages include suffering and 18 Wheeler accident attorney pain as well as emotional distress, disfigurement, and diminished quality of life.

Plaintiff attorneys who handle 18 wheeler cases are paid on a contingency basis, which means they don't get paid until they win their case and reach an agreement for their client. In the meantime, they need to pay for court fees, take depositions and hire experts, other experts, travel and pay for other expenses required to win the case.

Damages

18-wheeler accidents can cause serious injuries, particularly if they occur at a high speed. The impact of an 18-wheeler accident is more than normal due to its size and weight. The damage could be greater.

In addition to the medical and property damages that can result from a crash involving an 18-wheeler, victims may be able to claim compensation for the loss of earnings and grief caused by the loss of loved ones. A personal injury lawyer can help determine the total amount you are entitled to if you have suffered losses due to an accident involving a semi-truck.

It's not a secret that litigation can be costly. Attorneys representing plaintiffs need to pay for depositions, travel, expert witnesses and court costs. They need the money of their clients as quick as possible. There are several ways plaintiffs can receive their money more quickly after a settlement. These are referred to as post settlement advances or lawsuit loans. These are an excellent way for injured parties to pay expenses while waiting for their settlement.

Timeline

There are many factors that affect the time it takes to settle a truck crash case. The severity of your injuries is an important factor. It is essential to wait until you've reached your maximum level of medical improvement before making a decision to settle. This is because you might be entitled to claim future losses such as lost wages and a decreased quality of life, 18 Wheeler Accident Attorney and your attorney will require evidence to support these claims.

Another reason that can delay the process of settlement is a dispute between two parties over liability or damages. This is often the case when there are multiple insurance companies involved or when the parties are disputing the who was responsible for the accident.

A qualified truck accident lawyer will help you determine if the insurance company is providing you with an adequate amount to settle your case and whether or not it will be able to cover all of your future and current losses. If the insurance company is not willing to negotiate, you might have to file a lawsuit, which can lengthen the time frame of the case. In some instances the case may take longer than a year to resolve.

Settlement

There are a variety of factors that can dramatically extend the time required for an 18 wheeler lawsuit to reach a settlement. This includes the severity of injuries and the insurance implications. It could also take time for the documentation from your doctor to demonstrate permanent impairments, which could impact your future losses. Don't settle an accident claim too quickly, as it could leave you without a sufficient amount to cover all losses.

Attorneys representing plaintiffs in cases involving 18 wheeler accidents work on contingency fees and don't get paid until they win their case or reach an agreement. They must pay for court costs and travel expenses as well as expert witness fees during the course of a case.

As you can imagine this can add up to a lot. Many 18 wheeler plaintiff attorneys utilize post settlement advances (also called settlement cash advances) to help offset the legal costs they incur out of pocket in order to receive the money they're owed sooner.