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

If you've been involved in a crash involving an 18 wheeler, you need a personal injury attorney that knows the law of trucking and can help you obtain the highest possible settlement. A truck accident case could take between three months to two years to settle.

Determining who is at fault in these accidents can be complicated and multiple parties could be responsible for your injuries. A skilled attorney can identify the parties responsible and seek to pursue claims against them.

Damages

Due to the higher weight and size of a truck than the size of a car the accidents that involve 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks can cause severe, and even life-threatening injuries. These accidents also typically cause much more substantial destruction to vehicles and 18 wheeler accidents property. Due to this, the amount of damages paid out by juries as well as settlements in 18 wheeler accidents (the advantage) are often much greater than those that are awarded in a typical motor vehicle accident.

Sometimes, several parties can be at fault for an 18 wheeler accident lawsuit-wheeler accident. Truck drivers are often the main cause of accidents because they are negligent. The trucking company that they work for could be held responsible if it does not provide proper training or equipment for its drivers. Additionally, the trucking firm can be held liable for encouraging or enticing their drivers to overstep the federal regulations on hours of service. Additionally, the manufacturer of the truck or its components is liable for an auto defect that leads to an accident.

The identification of all responsible parties is essential to ensure a full and fair settlement. A skilled attorney for 18-wheelers will investigate your case to determine who is responsible for your crash and then be prepared to pursue settlement from each party accountable. 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 more complicated than regular car accident claims. Various parties can be held accountable for the incident, including the driver of the truck, the trucking company, and the manufacturer of the vehicle. The trucking industry also has incentives that could encourage trucks to drive recklessly, or even skip sleeping in order to make deliveries quickly.

These factors can increase the amount of time needed to settle a truck crash claim. The injury of the plaintiff can influence how long it will take to receive compensation. The most severe injuries usually result in higher settlements, as opposed to minor injuries that could result in a lower settlement.

In addition, the trucking firm's insurance provider will try to reduce their liability by reducing the value of the claim. It is therefore important to hire a truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. They will take on these deceitful tactics to ensure that they get you the justice you deserve.

Additional documents, such as the black box's information and bill of lading can also help determine who is at fault for the truck crash. These documents may prove that the truck driver was driving recklessly and will help determine whether the trucking company had any involvement in the crash. The truck manufacturer could be accountable for 18 wheeler accidents the crash if they had a defective product.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitations dictates the time frame you must bring a lawsuit after a crash. This period varies by state and is based on the type of accident you suffered. You have a four-year window to file an injury lawsuit and a two-year period to file a wrongful-death suit. A seasoned attorney will assist you through the process and determine whether you have an outstanding case.

Your personal injury attorney will investigate the scene of the accident, interview witnesses and review medical records. They will also look over driver logbooks, employee records and maintenance records to determine who is responsible for the accident. It can take a long time therefore it is important to begin this process as soon as you can to preserve the evidence.

The trucking company, as well as their insurer will do everything they can to prevent paying what you deserved. They might also try to minimize or exaggerate the extent of your injuries. If they succeed, this can delay the settlement of your claim. You could be waiting for more than a full year to receive your settlement.

Your lawyer can make sure that the statute of limitation is not triggered until you have settled your claim or taken the matter to court. There are some circumstances that may be able to override the statute of limitations, for instance the fact that you are a minor or suffer from mental impairment.

Timeline

Tens of thousands semi truck accidents happen in the United States each year, leading to fatal injuries or even death. Law firms that focus in these cases earn an enormous amount of money. Settlements in 18-wheeler accidents could be millions or billions of dollars.

A thorough investigation is essential due to the nature and severity of trucking accidents. This process can take up to several months. In addition, if the case involves several parties, it might take longer for them to come to an agreement on liability and damages.

To safeguard your rights it is crucial to get a knowledgeable trucking accident lawyer in your corner early in the process. A lawyer can help you in determining what amount of compensation you deserve. They can also ensure that the insurance company does not attempt to settle your claim in a hurry and is offering a fair price.

Attorneys typically operate on a contingent fee. They are not paid until the case is won. They are paid about one third of the final settlement or court decision. They must therefore wait until the remainder of their money arrives before they can settle their expenses and bills.