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

If you're involved in an accident involving an 18 wheeler accidents-wheeler vehicle, you'll need a personal attorney who is familiar with trucking laws and can help you get the most favorable settlement. A truck crash case can be anywhere between three months to two years to settle.

Many parties could be accountable for the damages you suffer. Determining the fault in these cases is a difficult. An experienced lawyer can identify all responsible parties and make claims against each one of them.

Damages

Due to the higher weight and size of a truck than passengers, accidents involving 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks of this size often result in serious, and sometimes life-threatening injuries. These accidents also typically cause more extensive damage to property and vehicles. Therefore, the damages that are awarded in 18 wheeler accidents settlements and jury awards are often significantly higher than those of an ordinary motor vehicle crash.

Many times, multiple parties are responsible for an 18-wheeler collision. Truck drivers are usually the main driver of accidents since they are negligent. The trucking company they work for may also be held responsible if it does not provide proper training or equipment for its drivers. The trucking company might also be liable if it encourages or rewards their drivers to violate the federal rules regarding hours of service. The manufacturer of the truck or its parts can be held responsible in the event of an auto defect that causes an accident.

It is essential to identify the parties accountable for the accident to obtain an honest and complete settlement. A knowledgeable attorney for 18-wheelers will investigate the incident to determine which party is responsible for your accident and be ready to seek compensation from each responsible party. Your lawyer may pursue non-economic damages such as pain and discomfort in addition to financial losses.

Liability

The legal process for truck accidents is much more complex than car accident claims. The truck driver, trucking company and vehicle manufacturer can all be held responsible for the consequences of an accident. In addition, the trucking industry has incentives that could cause trucks to be reckless in their driving and even sleepless to make deliveries quickly.

These elements can impact the amount of time it takes to settle a truck crash claim. The plaintiff's injuries also play a role in the time it takes to receive compensation. Serious injuries typically result in higher settlement amounts and less than minor injuries which may result in a lower settlement.

In addition, the trucking firm's insurance provider will attempt to reduce their liability by decreasing the value of the claim. It is essential to contact a truck accident lawyer immediately. They will take on these deceitful tactics to secure you the money you deserve.

Additional documents such as the bill of delivery and black box data can help determine the party responsible for the truck crash. These documents could prove that the driver of the truck was driving recklessly, and they will also help determine whether the trucking firm had any involvement in the accident. The truck manufacturer may also be held accountable for the accident in the event that they manufactured a defective product.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitations dictates the time frame you must file a lawsuit for a crash. The period of time varies according to the state and also depends on the kind of accident you were in. You have a general four-year time frame to file a personal injury lawsuit and a two-year period to file a wrongful deaths suit. An experienced attorney will guide you through the process and determine whether you have an action.

Your personal injury lawyer will review the scene of the accident, talk to witnesses, and scrutinize medical documents, driver logbooks, maintenance and employee records to determine who was at fault for the accident. This may take a while and it's crucial to begin this process promptly to protect the evidence.

The trucking company and their insurer will do everything they can to prevent paying what you deserve. They may also attempt to downplay your injuries or even exaggerate them. If they succeed, this can delay the settlement of your claim. You could wait for more than a year to receive your settlement.

Your lawyer will be able to ensure that the statute of limitations doesn't expire before you are allowed to settle your claim or bring it to trial. Some circumstances can override the statute of limitation, such as when you are a minor and have mental disabilities.

Timeline

In the United States, there are tens of thousands of semi-truck accidents every year that result in severe injuries and death. The law firms that concentrate in these incidents earn an enormous amount of money. Settlements reached in 18 wheeler accident cases have been in the millions of dollars and oftentimes even billions.

An extensive investigation is necessary due to the severity and nature of trucking accidents. This process can take several months. Furthermore, if the matter involves multiple parties, 18 Wheeler Accidents it could take longer to get them to agree on damages and liability.

To protect your interests It is essential to have an experienced trucking accident lawyer in your corner early in the process. A lawyer can assist you in determining the highest amount of compensation you're entitled to. They can also make sure that the insurance company is not trying to pay your claim too fast and that they're offering an appropriate amount.

Attorneys generally work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they don't get paid unless they win the case. They receive about 1/3 of any final settlement or court decision. They have to wait until the rest of their money is available before they can pay their bills and expenses.