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

If you're involved in a collision with an 18 wheeler you'll need an injury lawyer who understands trucking law and can help you obtain the highest possible settlement. A truck crash case can take anywhere between three months and two years to settle.

Multiple parties could be responsible for your injuries. The process of determining who is responsible for these types of accidents can be a challenge. An experienced lawyer can identify all responsible parties and make claims against each one of them.

Damages

Because of the much greater weight and size of a truck versus the size of a car the accidents that involve 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks can result in serious, even life-threatening injuries. These accidents are also more likely to cause significant damage to the property and vehicles. Therefore, the damages awarded in 18 wheeler accident settlements and jury awards tend to be much higher than the damages of a normal motor vehicle crash.

There are many parties that could be responsible for causing an 18-wheeler crash. Truck drivers are often the main cause of accidents because they are negligent. However, the company they work for can be held accountable in the event that they fail to properly educate their drivers or provide them with the proper equipment. Additionally, the trucking firm could be held accountable when they encourage or reward their drivers to go over the federal hour-of-service rules. The truck's manufacturer, or its parts, is also liable for auto defects that cause an accident.

Identifying all the liable parties is essential to secure a full and fair settlement. A skilled 18-wheeler lawyer will review the case to determine who is responsible for your accident and be ready to seek compensation from each party responsible. In addition to pursuing financial losses, your attorney can also pursue damages not monetary, such as pain and suffering.

Liability

The cases involving truck accidents can be more complicated than claims for car accidents. Different parties could be held responsible for the accident, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and the vehicle manufacturer. The trucking industry has incentives that can cause trucks to be reckless and even skip sleep to speed up deliveries.

These elements can influence how long it takes to settle a claim for an accident. The injuries suffered by the plaintiff could influence how long it takes to get compensation. Severe injuries often lead to greater settlements as opposed to minor injuries that could result in a smaller settlement.

Moreover, the trucking company's insurance provider will try to minimize their responsibility by decreasing the value of the claim. Therefore, it is important to get a truck crash lawyer immediately. They will combat these intimidation tactics to secure you the compensation you deserve.

Furthermore, 18 wheeler accidents supplementary documents like the bill of lading as well as black box data can be used to determine who is accountable for the truck crash. These documents may prove that the driver of the truck was reckless, and they will also help determine whether the trucking firm had any involvement in the crash. The truck manufacturer may also be liable for the accident when they made a mistake with their product.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitations determines the time frame you must make a claim for the cause of a crash. The time frame varies from state to state and is contingent on the type of accident you were in. In general you will have up to four years to file an injury claim for personal injury, and two years to file a wrongful-death suit. A knowledgeable attorney can guide you through the process and determine if you have any claims.

The personal injury lawyer you hire will look over the scene of the accident and interview witnesses, as well as review medical records. They will also go through driver logbooks, employee records and maintenance records to determine who is responsible for the accident. This can take a considerable amount of time, so it is important to start this work as quickly as you can to ensure the integrity of evidence.

The trucking company and their insurance provider will fight to avoid paying you what you are due. They may also try and minimize or exaggerate your injuries. If they are successful, it can delay the settling of your claim. Ultimately, you could wait for a settlement for over a year following the crash.

Your lawyer will ensure that the statute of limitations is not triggered until you settle your claim or taken it to court. Some circumstances can override the statute of limitations like the case of an under-age person and suffer from a mental disability.

Timeline

In the United States, there are thousands of semi-truck accidents every year that cause severe injuries and death. These accidents are huge business for law firms that specialize in handling these. Settlements for 18 wheeler accident attorneys-wheeler accident cases can reach millions and even billions of dollars.

Due to the nature of trucking accidents an extensive investigation needs to be completed to determine the responsibility and damages. The process can take several months to complete. If there are multiple parties involved, it may take longer to reach an agreement on the liability and damages.

It is vital that a skilled trucking accident attorney is onboard early on to ensure that your best interests are safeguarded. A lawyer can help you determine the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. They can also make sure that the insurance company isn't trying to settle your claim quickly and they are providing the right amount.

Attorneys usually operate on a contingent fee basis. This means that they don't get paid unless they win the case. They typically receive about one-third of the final settlement or court award. They must therefore wait until the rest of their money is available before they can pay for their expenses and bills.