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

If you're involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler, you'll need a personal attorney who is familiar with trucking laws and can help you find the best settlement. It can take anywhere from three months to a couple of years to settle a truck crash case.

Determining fault in these types of accidents can be difficult and multiple parties could be liable for your damages. An experienced lawyer can pinpoint all responsible parties and assert claims against each of them.

Damages

Due to the greater weight and dimensions of a truck as compared to an automobile accidents involving 18-wheelers as well as other commercial trucks that are large can result in serious, and sometimes life-threatening injuries. These accidents can also cause more extensive damage to property and vehicles. Due to this, the amount of damages granted by juries and settlements in 18 wheeler accidents tend to be much greater than those awarded for a normal motor vehicle accident.

Often, several parties may be at fault for an 18 wheeler accident lawsuits-wheeler accident. Truck drivers are often the primary cause of accidents, as they are liable. However, the company they work for can be held responsible when they fail to adequately educate their drivers or provide them with the proper equipment. In addition, the trucking company is liable if they encourage or incentivize their drivers to overstep federal hours-of-service regulations. The truck's manufacturer or its components could also be held accountable in the event that an auto defect leads to an accident.

Identifying all the liable parties is essential to secure an equitable and fair settlement. A skilled 18 wheeler accident lawsuit wheeler lawyer will examine your case to determine who is responsible for the accident, and will be fully prepared to pursue compensation from each of the parties responsible. Your lawyer may pursue non-economic damages, such as pain and discomfort as well as financial losses.

Liability

The cases involving truck accidents can be much more complex than claims for car accidents. The truck driver, trucking company, and even the manufacturer of the vehicle can all be held responsible for an accident. Additionally, the trucking industry has incentives that could cause trucks to drive recklessly and even skip sleep in order to make deliveries quickly.

These elements can influence the time it takes to settle an accident claim. Injuries to the plaintiff can affect the time it takes to receive compensation. The severity of injuries can result in more money in settlements than minor injuries.

Furthermore, the trucking company's insurance company will attempt to reduce their liability by reducing the value of the claim. Therefore, it is crucial to get a truck crash lawyer as soon as you can. They will fight against these intimidation tactics to ensure that you get the settlement you are entitled to.

Additional documents, such as the black box's information and bill of lading, could aid in determining who is at fault for the truck crash. These documents may show that the driver of the truck was driving recklessly. They can also be used to determine the extent of involvement of the trucking company in the incident. The truck manufacturer may also be responsible for the accident if they had a defective product.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitation determines the time limit in which you can bring a lawsuit following an accident in the car. This period varies by state and also depends on the kind of accident that you were involved in. In general you will have up to four years to file an action for personal injury, and two years to file a wrongful-death lawsuit. An experienced attorney will assist you through the process and determine if there is a case.

Your personal injury lawyer will examine the scene of the accident, question witnesses, and examine medical records, driver logbooks, maintenance and employee records to determine who was responsible for the crash. This can take a considerable amount of time, and it is important to begin the process as soon as possible in order to preserve evidence.

The trucking company and their insurance company will fight to avoid paying you the compensation you deserve. They may also try and exaggerate or minimize the severity of your injuries. If they succeed it could delay settlement of your claim. You could wait for more than a full year for your settlement.

Your lawyer will ensure that the statute of limitations does not expire until you settle your claim or taken the matter to court. Certain circumstances may extend the statute of limitations, such as the case of an adult and suffer from a mental disability.

Timeline

Tens of thousands of semi-truck accidents occur in the United States each year, causing debilitating injuries or death. These accidents are a major business for law firms that specialize in handling these. Settlements in 18-wheeler collision cases can be in the millions or billions of dollars.

A thorough investigation is essential due to the severity and nature of trucking accidents. This process could take several months to be completed. Additionally, if the case involves several parties, accidents it might take longer to get them to agree on damages and liability.

It is essential that a seasoned trucking accident attorney is in place at the beginning of the process to ensure that your best interests are being protected. An attorney can help determine the highest amount of compensation you deserve. They can also ensure that the insurance company doesn't attempt to settle your claim in a hurry and is able to offer a fair amount.

Lawyers typically operate on a contingency fee basis. They do not get paid until the case is won. They usually get around one-third of the final settlement or the court's award. As a result, they have to wait for the rest of the money to be deposited before they can pay their bills and expenses.