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

If you're involved in a crash involving an 18-wheeler it is essential to hire an attorney who knows the law regarding trucking and can help you obtain the highest possible settlement. It could take anywhere from three months to several years to settle a truck accident case.

Multiple parties may be responsible for the damages you suffer. Finding out who is at fault in these cases is a difficult. An experienced lawyer will be able to determine all liable parties and pursue claims against them.

Damages

Accidents involving oklahoma 18 wheeler accident law firm-wheelers or large commercial trucks can result in serious, life-threatening injuries. This is due to the weight and size of a truck being much greater than a passenger car. These accidents can also cause much more significant destruction to vehicles and property. Due to this, damages that juries and settlements award in 18 wheeler accidents are often significantly higher than those given for a normal motor vehicle accident.

There are times when multiple parties are responsible for a crash involving an waukesha 18 wheeler accident attorney-wheeler. This could include the truck driver who's negligence is often the main cause of these accidents. However, the company they work for could be held liable as well in the event that they fail to properly train their drivers or provide them with the proper equipment. The trucking company could also be liable if they encourage or rewards their drivers to violate the federal rules regarding hours of service. The manufacturer of the truck or its parts can be held responsible if there is an auto defect that results in an accident.

Recognizing all parties responsible is vital to securing an honest and complete settlement. An experienced camden 18 wheeler accident attorney wheeler lawyer will examine your case to determine who is accountable for your accident and be fully prepared to pursue compensation from each party responsible. In addition to pursuing financial losses, your attorney may also pursue damages that are not economic like suffering and pain.

Liability

Truck accident cases are much more complicated than regular car accident claims. The truck driver, trucking company, and even the manufacturer of the vehicle can all be held responsible for an accident. The trucking industry also provides incentives that can cause trucks to drive recklessly, or even skip sleeping to speed up deliveries.

These elements can influence the time it takes to settle an accident claim. The injuries suffered by the plaintiff also affect the time it takes to receive compensation. Serious injuries can lead to greater settlement amounts than minor injuries.

Furthermore, the trucking company's insurance company will try to minimize their liability by reducing the value of the claim. This is why it's important to hire an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible. They will fight these intimidation tactics to ensure that they get you the compensation you deserve.

Additional documents, such as the black box data and bill of lading also help determine who is responsible for the accident on the truck. These documents can prove that the truck driver was reckless and can help determine whether the trucking firm had any involvement in the crash. The truck manufacturer could be liable for the accident when they made a mistake with their product.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitation determines how long you have to start a lawsuit in the event of an accident. The time frame varies by state and is contingent on the type of accident you were involved in. You have a four-year time frame to file an injury lawsuit and a two-year period to file a wrongful deaths suit. A knowledgeable attorney can assist you in the process and determine if you have a claim.

Your personal injury lawyer will examine the accident scene 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 at fault. This can take a substantial amount of time and it is essential to begin this work as quickly as you can to ensure the integrity of evidence.

The trucking company and their insurer will do everything they can to prevent paying you what you deserve. They may also try and overstate or minimize the severity of the extent of your injuries. If they are successful this can delay the settlement of your claim. If they succeed, you could be waiting for a settlement for more than a year following your accident.

Your lawyer can make sure that the time limit does not expire before you're in a position to settle your case or take it to trial. There are some circumstances that can overcome the statute of limitations, including the fact that you are a minor or suffer from mental impairment.

Timeline

In the United States, there are thousands of semi truck accidents each year that cause severe injuries and death. Law firms that focus on these incidents make a lot of money. Settlements in 18 wheeler accidents have been in the millions of dollars, and often, billions of dollars.

A thorough investigation is required due to the nature and severity of trucking accidents. This process could take several months to complete. If there are multiple parties involved, it may take longer to reach an agreement on damages and liability.

To protect your interests, it's crucial to have an experienced trucking accident lawyer on board early in the process. A lawyer can assist you with determining 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 that they are offering an appropriate amount.

Attorneys usually work on a contingent fee basis. They are not paid until the case is won. They get about 1/3 of any final settlement or the court's decision. They must therefore wait until the rest of their money is available before they can pay for their expenses and bills.