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

If you're involved in a crash involving an 18-wheeler, you need an attorney for personal injuries who is familiar with the laws governing trucking and will help you get the best possible settlement. A truck accident case could take anywhere from three months to two years to settle.

Finding out who is responsible for these kinds of accidents can be challenging and multiple parties could be responsible for your injuries. An experienced lawyer can pinpoint all parties liable and firm make claims against each one of them.

Damages

Due to the greater weight and size of a commercial truck compared to a passenger vehicle, accidents involving 18-wheelers and other large commercial trucks often result in serious, and sometimes life-threatening injuries. These accidents are also more likely to cause substantial destruction to property and vehicles. In this way, the amount of damages paid out in 18 wheeler crash settlements and jury awards are usually significantly higher than those of a typical motor vehicle accident.

There are times when multiple parties are accountable for a crash involving an 18 wheeler accident-wheeler. These include the truck driver who's negligence is typically the leading cause of these accidents. However, the trucking 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 proper equipment. The trucking company may also be liable if they encourage or rewards their drivers to break the federal rules regarding hours of service. The manufacturer of the truck or its parts is liable when there is an auto defect that leads to an accident.

Identifying all the liable parties is essential to secure an honest and complete settlement. A skilled 18-wheeler lawyer will investigate the incident to determine who is accountable for the accident, and will be prepared to pursue compensation from each party responsible. In addition to pursuing financial losses, your attorney may also pursue other damages, such as suffering and pain.

Liability

Truck accident cases can be more complicated than car accident claims. The truck driver, trucking company, and the vehicle manufacturer can all be held responsible for the consequences of an accident. In addition, the trucking industry has incentives that can cause trucks to be reckless and even skip sleep to complete deliveries on time.

These factors can impact the time required to settle an accident claim. Personal injuries to the plaintiff can influence how long it takes to receive compensation. Serious injuries can lead to a larger settlement amount than minor injuries.

The insurance company of the trucking firm will attempt to minimize its liability by reducing the amount of the claim. This is why it is important to engage an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. They will combat these intimidation tactics to secure you the compensation you deserve.

Additional documents, such as the black box data as well as the bill of lading, can aid in determining who is responsible for the truck accident. These documents may prove that the truck driver was driving recklessly, and they will also aid in determining whether the trucking company had any involvement in the crash. The manufacturer of the truck could also be accountable for the crash if they had a defective product.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitations dictates the length of time you must bring a lawsuit after the cause of a crash. The statute of limitations varies state-to-state and depends on the type of accident that you were involved in. In general there are four years to file an injury claim and two years to file a wrongful-death suit. An experienced lawyer will assist you through the process and determine if you have any claims.

A personal injury lawyer will examine the accident scene and interview witnesses. They will also look over medical records. They will also look over the logbooks of employees, driver logbooks and maintenance records to determine who is responsible for the accident. This can take a considerable amount of time and it is essential to begin the process as soon as possible to preserve evidence.

The trucking company and their insurance company will fight to not pay you what you are due. They may also try to minimize your injuries or even exaggerate them. If they are successful, this can delay the settlement of your claim. You could be waiting longer than a year for your settlement.

Your lawyer can ensure that the statute of limitations will not run out until you settle your claim or brought it to court. There are certain circumstances which can extend the statute of limitations, for instance the fact that you are a minor or have mental impairment.

Timeline

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

Due to the nature of trucking accidents, an exhaustive investigation has to be completed to determine liability and damages. This process can take up to several months. In addition, if a case involves multiple parties, it could take longer to get them to agree on liability and damages.

It is vital that a skilled trucking accident attorney is in place early on to ensure that your best interests are protected. A lawyer can help you determine the highest amount of compensation you deserve. They can also make sure that the insurance company is not trying to settle your claim quickly and that they're offering the right amount.

Attorneys typically operate on a basis of contingent fees. They are not paid until the case is won. They get around a third of any final settlement or the court's decision. They must therefore wait until the remainder of their money is received before they can settle their bills and expenses.