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

If you're involved in a crash with an 18 wheeler You need a personal injury attorney that knows the law of trucking and can assist you in obtaining the best possible settlement. A truck crash case can take anywhere from three months to two years to settle.

Determining who is at fault in these types of accidents can be difficult and several parties could be liable for your damages. An experienced lawyer will be able identify all parties liable and seek to pursue claims against them.

Damages

Accidents involving 18-wheelers or large commercial trucks can cause serious, and even life-threatening injuries. This is due to the weight and size of a truck which is greater than a passenger car. These accidents can also result in more severe destruction to vehicles and property. The damages that are awarded in 18 wheeler accidents settlements and jury awards are usually much higher than the damages of a normal motor vehicle crash.

There are many parties that could be responsible for the cause of an 18-wheeler collision. Truck drivers are usually the main cause of accidents, as they are negligent. The trucking company they work for may also be held liable if it is unable to provide the proper training or equipment to its drivers. The trucking company might also be held accountable if they encourage or rewards their drivers to violate federal regulations on hours of service. The manufacturer of the truck or its parts could be held accountable for an auto defect that causes an accident.

The identification of all responsible parties is vital to securing the most fair and comprehensive settlement. A competent attorney for 18-wheelers will review the case to determine who is accountable for the accident and be prepared to seek compensation from each responsible party. Your lawyer may seek damages that are not economic, such as discomfort and pain in addition to financial losses.

Liability

Accidents involving trucks can be more complicated than car accident claims. The truck driver, trucking company and vehicle manufacturer can all be held responsible for the consequences of an accident. Additionally, the trucking industry has incentives that can cause trucks to be reckless or even not sleep to complete deliveries on time.

These factors can affect the amount of time needed to settle a truck accident claim. Injuries to the plaintiff can influence how long it takes to receive compensation. Serious injuries can lead to greater settlement amounts than minor injuries.

The insurance company of the trucking company will also try to limit its liability by reducing the amount of the claim. It is therefore important to find a truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. They will fight against these tactics to ensure that you receive the money you deserve.

In addition, other documents like the bill of delivery and black box data can help identify the party responsible for the truck crash. These documents could prove that the truck driver was reckless and also aid in determining whether the trucking firm had any involvement in the accident. The truck manufacturer may also be liable for 18 wheeler accidents the accident if they had a defective product.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitations defines the period of time that you are able to start a lawsuit following an automobile accident. The length of time can differ by state and is based on the type of accident you were involved in. You have a four-year period for filing an injury lawsuit and a two-year period for filing a wrongful death suit. An experienced attorney can help you navigate through the process and determine if you have a claim.

Your personal injury lawyer will investigate the scene of your accident, question witnesses, and review medical records, driver logbooks, maintenance and employee records to find out who was at fault for the accident. It can take a long time and it's crucial to begin this process as soon as you can to preserve the evidence.

The trucking company and their insurance company will fight to avoid paying you the amount you deserved. They might also try to reduce or exaggerate the severity of your injuries. If they succeed, it can delay the settlement of your claim, and you could wait for your settlement for a full year after your crash.

Your lawyer can ensure that the statute of limitations doesn't expire until you have settled your claim or brought the matter to court. There are some circumstances which can extend the time limit, for example the fact that you are a minor or suffer from mental impairment.

Timeline

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

Due to the nature of trucking accidents, an extensive investigation needs to be done to determine the extent of liability and damages. The process can take several months to complete. Additionally, if the case involves several parties, it might take longer to reach an agreement on damages and liability.

To protect your interests it is crucial to have a skilled trucking accident lawyer in your corner at the beginning of the process. A lawyer can help you with determining the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. They can also make sure that the insurance company isn't trying to pay your claim too fast and also that they offer the right amount.

Attorneys usually operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that they won't be paid until they succeed in winning the case. They are paid about a third of any final settlement or judgment of the court. As a result, they have to wait for the rest of the money to come in before they can pay their bills or expenses.