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

If you are involved in an accident involving an 18-wheeler, you'll require a lawyer who is familiar with trucking laws and can assist you to achieve the highest settlement possible. A truck accident case could be anywhere between three months and two years to settle.

There could be multiple parties responsible for your losses. The process of determining who is responsible for these incidents is a complicated. An experienced lawyer can identify the responsible parties and make claims against each one of them.

Damages

Accidents involving 18-wheelers as well as other large commercial trucks could result in serious, life-threatening injuries. This is due to the weight and size of a truck being larger than a car for a passenger. These accidents are also more likely to result in significant damage to the property and vehicles. In this way, the amount of damages that are awarded in 18 wheeler accidents settlements and jury awards are often significantly greater than those in the typical motor vehicle crash.

Often, firms several parties may be responsible for causing an 18-wheeler collision. These can include the driver of the truck who's negligence is often the leading cause of these accidents. However, the trucking company they work for can be held responsible in the event they fail to train their drivers or provide them with proper equipment. The trucking company might also be liable if it encourages or rewards their drivers to break federal regulations on hours of service. The manufacturer of the truck or its components can be held responsible in the event of an auto defect which causes an accident.

Identifying all the liable parties is crucial to securing a full and fair settlement. A skilled attorney for 18 wheeler accident lawyers wheelers will investigate your case in order to determine who is responsible for causing the accident, and will be fully prepared to seek settlement from each party accountable. In addition to pursuing financial losses, your attorney may also pursue other damages like pain and suffering.

Liability

Truck accident cases are much more complex than typical car accident claims. There are many parties that can be held responsible for the accident, which includes the truck driver and the trucking company and the manufacturer of the vehicle. The trucking industry also provides incentives that could encourage trucks to be reckless and even skip sleep in order to make deliveries quickly.

These factors can impact how long it takes to settle a lawsuit. Personal injuries to the plaintiff can influence how long it takes to get compensation. Injuries that are severe can result in greater settlement amounts than minor injuries.

In addition, the trucking firm's insurance company will try to minimize their liability by reducing the amount of the claim. It is therefore important to get a truck crash lawyer immediately. They will fight back against these tactics of intimidation to make sure that you receive the compensation that you deserve.

In addition, other documents like the bill of lading as well as black box data can be used to determine who is responsible for the truck crash. These documents may show that the driver of the truck was driving recklessly. They can also be used to determine the extent of involvement by the trucking company in the accident. The truck manufacturer could be accountable for the crash in the event of a defective product.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitations determines the time period within which you can start a lawsuit following a car accident. This period varies by state and also depends on the kind of accident you were involved in. There is a four-year period to file an injury claim and a two year timeframe to file a wrongful-death suit. An experienced lawyer will assist you through the process and determine if you have a case.

The personal injury lawyer you hire will investigate 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 was at fault. This could take some time and it's crucial to begin this work promptly to protect the evidence.

The trucking company, and their insurance company will do all they can to stop paying the amount you are due. They may also try to downplay your injuries or even exaggerate them. If they are successful, it can delay the settling of your claim, and you may be waiting for your settlement for more than a year after the accident.

Your lawyer will ensure that the statute of limitations does not expire before you're able to settle your claim or take it to trial. There are a few circumstances that could extend the statute of limitations, such as the fact that you are a minor or suffer from a mental handicap.

Timeline

Tens of thousands of semi-truck accidents occur in the United States each year, causing debilitating injuries or death. These accidents are a major business for law firms that specialize in handling them. Settlements in 18-wheeler accidents can reach millions and billions of dollars.

An extensive investigation is necessary due to the nature and severity of trucking accidents. This process can take a few months to be completed. If there are multiple parties involved, it may take longer to reach an agreement on the liability and damages.

To safeguard your interests it is crucial to have an experienced trucking accident lawyer on board at the beginning of the process. A lawyer can assist you determine the best amount of compensation you're entitled to. They can also make sure that the insurance company doesn't try to settle your claim fast and offers a fair price.

Attorneys usually operate on a basis of contingent fees. They are not paid unless the case is won. They receive about a third of any final settlement or court award. Therefore, they have to wait for the rest of the money to be received before they can pay their bills or expenses.