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

If you are involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler, you'll need a personal attorney who is well-versed in trucking laws and can help you get the most favorable settlement. A truck crash case can take between three months and two years to settle.

Multiple parties could be responsible for your damages. Finding out who was at fault for these cases is a difficult. An experienced attorney will be able to identify all parties liable and take legal action against them.

Damages

Because of the much greater weight and size of a commercial truck compared to the size of a car accident involving 18-wheelers or other commercial trucks of this size often cause severe, and even life-threatening injuries. These accidents can also result in more severe damage to property and vehicles. Because of this, the damages paid out by juries as well as settlements in cabot 18 wheeler accident law firm wheeler crashes are usually much higher than those given for a normal motor vehicle accident.

Many times, multiple parties are responsible for a crash involving an 18-wheeler. Truck drivers are often the primary cause of accidents, as they are liable. However, the trucking company they work for can be held accountable if they fail to properly train their drivers or provide them with appropriate equipment. Additionally, the trucking company is liable when they encourage or reward their drivers to overstep the federal hour-of-service rules. The manufacturer of the truck or its components is also liable if an auto defect causes an accident.

The identification of all responsible parties is crucial to securing an honest and complete settlement. A competent attorney for 18-wheelers will review the case to determine which party is accountable for the accident and be prepared to seek compensation from each party responsible. Your lawyer may seek damages that are not economic, such as discomfort and pain as well as financial losses.

Liability

The legal process for truck accidents is more complicated than standard car accident claims. Different parties could be held responsible for the incident, including the truck driver as well as the trucking firm and the manufacturer of the vehicle. Furthermore, the industry of trucking offers incentives that can lead trucks to be reckless and even miss sleep in order to make deliveries on time.

These elements can impact the amount of time it takes to settle a truck accident claim. Injuries to the plaintiff can affect the time it takes to receive compensation. In the case of severe injuries, they often result in higher settlements, as opposed to minor injuries which may result in a lower settlement.

Additionally, the trucking company's insurance company will try to minimize their responsibility by decreasing the value of the claim. It is essential to get a truck crash lawyer immediately. They will be able to counter these intimidating tactics to ensure that they get you the compensation you deserve.

Additional documents, like the black box data as well as the bill of lading, could also help determine who is accountable for the truck crash. These documents could prove that the driver of the truck was driving recklessly. They can also be used to determine if there was any involvement by the trucking company in the crash. The truck manufacturer may also be accountable for the crash in the event of a defective product.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitations defines how long you can file a lawsuit for a crash. The time frame varies from state to state and depends on the type of accident you suffered. In general you have four years to bring an injury claim and two years to file a wrongful-death lawsuit. An experienced lawyer will assist you through the process and determine whether you have an issue.

A personal injury lawyer will review the scene of the accident and interview witnesses, as well as review medical records. They will also go through the logbooks of employees, driver logbooks and maintenance records to determine who was at fault. This can take some time therefore it is important to begin the process immediately to safeguard the evidence.

The trucking company and their insurance provider will fight to stop paying you what you deserve. They may also attempt to exaggerate or minimize the extent of your injuries. If they succeed, it can delay the settlement of your claim. If they succeed, you could be left waiting for your settlement for a full year after your crash.

Your lawyer can make sure that the statute of limitations does not expire until you have settled your claim or brought it to court. Certain circumstances may be able to override the statute of limitation like the case of an adult and suffer from a mental impairment.

Timeline

Tens of thousands of semi-truck accidents occur in the United States each year, causing debilitating injuries or death. Law firms that focus on these incidents make a lot of money. Settlements in 18-wheeler accident cases can reach millions and billions of dollars.

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

To protect your interests, it's crucial to have a skilled trucking accident lawyer in your corner early in the process. A lawyer can assist you in determining the highest amount of compensation that you are entitled to. They can also make sure that the insurance company doesn't attempt to settle your claim in a hurry and is providing a fair price.

Attorneys usually operate on a contingent fee. They are not paid until the case is won. They get about one third of the final settlement or court decision. This means that they must wait for the remainder of the money to be received before they can pay their bills or expenses.