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

If you've been involved in a collision with an 18-wheeler, you need a personal injury attorney that is familiar with the laws governing trucking and will assist you in obtaining the best possible settlement. A truck accident case can take anywhere from three months to two years to settle.

Finding out who is responsible for these types of accidents can be difficult, and multiple parties may be liable for your damages. A knowledgeable attorney can determine all parties liable and assert claims against each of them.

Damages

Because of the much greater weight and size of a truck versus a passenger vehicle the accidents that involve 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks that are large can result in serious, even life-threatening injuries. These accidents are also more likely to result in significant damage to property and vehicles. Therefore, the damages given in 18-wheeler accident settlements and jury awards tend to be much higher than the damages of an ordinary motor vehicle crash.

Many times, multiple parties are responsible for an 18-wheeler crash. These can include the driver of the truck, whose negligence is usually the leading cause of these accidents. The trucking company that they work for may also be held accountable if the company does not provide proper training or equipment to their drivers. Additionally, the trucking company is liable for encouraging or enticing their employees to violate the federal regulations on hours of service. Finally, the manufacturer of the truck or its parts is liable for an auto defect that leads to an accident.

It is crucial to determine all parties responsible for the accident to obtain an equitable and complete settlement. A skilled redlands 18 wheeler accident lawsuit-wheeler lawyer will investigate the incident to determine which party is accountable for the accident and be ready to pursue compensation from each responsible party. In addition to seeking financial losses, your lawyer may also pursue damages that are not economic like suffering and pain.

Liability

The cases involving truck accidents can be much more complex than car accident claims. The truck driver, Attorneys trucking company, and even the manufacturer of the vehicle can all be held accountable for the consequences of an accident. The trucking industry offers incentives that can lead trucks to speed recklessly and even skip sleep to deliver deliveries quickly.

These elements can influence the time required to settle a claim for an accident. Personal injuries to the plaintiff can impact the length of time it takes to receive compensation. The most severe injuries usually result in larger settlement amounts as opposed to minor injuries that may only result in a lower settlement.

Additionally, the trucking company's insurance provider will attempt to minimize their liability by reducing the amount of the claim. This is why it's important to hire an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as you can. They will fight against these tactics to ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve.

In addition, other documents such as the bill of lading and black box data can help determine who is accountable for the truck crash. These documents can show that the truck driver was driving recklessly and also aid in determining if the trucking company had any involvement in the accident. The truck manufacturer could be held accountable for the accident if they had a defective product.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitation determines how long you can make a claim for Attorneys a crash. This timeframe varies from state to state and is determined by the type of accident you were involved in. You have a four-year window to file a personal injury lawsuit, and a two-year window for filing a wrongful death suit. A seasoned attorney will assist you through the process and determine whether you have an outstanding case.

Your personal injury lawyer will review the site of your accident, question witnesses, and look over medical records, driver logbooks, maintenance and employee records to determine who was at fault for the accident. This can take a considerable amount of time, so it is important to begin the process as soon as you can to ensure the integrity of evidence.

The trucking company and their insurance provider will fight to stop paying you the amount you deserved. They might also attempt to downplay your injuries or even exaggerate them. If they are successful it could delay settlement of your claim. You could be waiting longer than a year for your settlement.

Your lawyer will make sure that the statute of limitations doesn't expire before you are in a position to settle your case or go to trial. There are certain circumstances that can overcome the time limit, for example 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, causing debilitating injuries or death. The law firms that specialize on these incidents make lots of money. The settlements reached in 18 wheeler accident lawsuit wheeler accident cases have been in the millions of dollars and often, billions.

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

To protect your interests it is vital to have an experienced trucking accident lawyer on your side early in the process. An attorney can assist with determining the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. They can also ensure that the insurance company isn't trying to settle your claim too quickly and they are providing a fair value.

Attorneys usually operate on a contingent fee. They do not get paid until the case is won. They generally receive around one third of the final settlement or court award. They have to wait until the remainder of their money arrives before they can pay for their bills and expenses.