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

If you are involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler, you'll require a lawyer who is well-versed in trucking laws and can help you obtain the best settlement possible. It can take between three months and a couple of years to settle a truck crash case.

There could be multiple parties responsible for your injuries. Finding out who was at fault for these cases is a difficult. A knowledgeable attorney can determine all parties liable and seek claims against each of them.

Damages

Due to the higher weight and size of a truck versus passengers accidents involving arcata 18 wheeler accident law firm-wheelers as well as other commercial trucks of this size often result in serious, and sometimes life-threatening injuries. They also usually result in more severe destruction to vehicles and property. As such, damages given in 18-wheeler accident settlements and jury awards are often much higher than the damages of a typical motor vehicle accident.

Sometimes, several parties are responsible for an 18-wheeler accident. It could be the driver of the truck and his negligence is typically the leading cause of these accidents. However, the company they work for could be held responsible in the event that they fail to properly educate their drivers or provide them with adequate equipment. The trucking firm could be held accountable if it encourages or rewards its drivers to break federal regulations regarding hours of service. In addition, the company that makes the truck or its parts can be held responsible for an auto defect that causes an accident.

Finding all the responsible parties is essential to secure an honest and complete settlement. A skilled geneva 18 Wheeler accident law firm wheeler lawyer will investigate your case in order to determine who is responsible for your crash and then be fully prepared to seek compensation from each party responsible. Your lawyer may pursue non-economic damages such as pain and discomfort in addition to financial losses.

Liability

The legal process for truck accidents is more complicated than claims for car accidents. The truck driver, the trucking company, and the vehicle manufacturer can all be held accountable for an accident. The trucking industry also provides incentives which can encourage trucks to drive recklessly or even to sleep in order to deliver their goods quickly.

These factors can affect the time it takes to settle a lawsuit. The injuries suffered by the plaintiff also affect the length of time it will take to receive compensation. For serious injuries, it is possible to receive a larger settlement amount than minor injuries.

The insurance provider of the trucking company may also try to minimize its liability by reducing the value of the claim. It is essential to find a truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. They will be able to counter these intimidating tactics to ensure that they get you the compensation you deserve.

Additionally, additional documents like the bill of lading or black box data can be used to determine who is responsible for the truck crash. These documents can show that the driver of the truck was reckless and can help determine whether the trucking company was involved in any involvement in the crash. If the truck manufacturer was operating an unreliable vehicle or a defective vehicle, they could be accountable for the accident.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitation sets the period of time that you are able to make a claim after an accident in the car. This timeframe varies from state to state and is based on the type of accident you've been involved in. You are given a general four-year period for filing a personal injury lawsuit and a two year timeframe to file a wrongful-death suit. A knowledgeable attorney can help you navigate the process and determine whether you have an issue.

Your personal injury lawyer will examine the scene of the accident, talk to witnesses, and scrutinize medical records, driver logbooks, employee files, and maintenance records to determine who was responsible for the accident. This can take some time so it's essential to begin this work immediately to safeguard the evidence.

The trucking company and their insurance company will fight to avoid paying you the compensation you deserve. They may also attempt to minimize your injuries, or even exaggerate them. If they are successful this could delay the settling of your claim. In the end, you may be waiting for a settlement for a full year after the accident.

Your lawyer can ensure that the statute of limitations doesn't expire until you settle your claim or taken it to court. There are some 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 happen in the United States each year, that can cause fatal injuries or even death. These incidents are big business for law firms who specialize in handling them. Settlements reached in 18 wheeler accidents have been in the millions of dollars, and often, billions.

Due to the nature of trucking accidents an exhaustive investigation has to be done to determine the responsibility and damages. This process can take a few months to complete. If there are multiple parties involved, it may take longer to reach an agreement on damages and liability.

It's important that an experienced trucking accident attorney is in place early on to ensure that your interests are being protected. An attorney can help determine the amount of compensation you deserve. They can also ensure that the insurance company doesn't attempt to settle your claim fast and is providing an acceptable price.

Attorneys usually work on a contingency basis. This means that they don't get paid until they succeed in winning the case. They usually receive around a third of the final settlement or the court's award. This means that they must wait for the remainder of the money to be received before they can pay their bills or expenses.