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

If you are involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler, then you'll need a personal attorney who is familiar with trucking laws and can assist you to get the most favorable settlement. A truck accident case could take between three months and two years to settle.

Finding out who is responsible for these kinds of accidents can be challenging and a variety of parties could be responsible for your injuries. An experienced lawyer will be able to determine the parties responsible and make claims against them.

Damages

Accidents involving 18-wheelers and other large commercial trucks can cause serious, and even life-threatening injuries. This is due to the weight and size of a truck being bigger than a standard passenger car. These accidents also typically cause much more substantial destruction to vehicles and property. Therefore, the damages that are awarded in 18 wheeler accidents settlements and jury awards are typically significantly higher than those of a typical motor vehicle accident.

Sometimes, 18 wheeler accidents several parties can be responsible for the cause of an 18-wheeler accident. Truck drivers are typically the primary cause of accidents because they are liable. However, the company they work for could be held responsible in the event they fail to educate their drivers or provide them with appropriate equipment. Additionally, the trucking firm can be held liable when they encourage or reward their drivers to overstep federal hours-of-service regulations. The truck's manufacturer, or its parts, is also liable when an auto defect causes an accident.

It is important to identify all parties who are responsible for the accident in order to secure a fair and full settlement. An experienced 18 wheeler lawyer will investigate your case in order to determine who is accountable for your accident and be fully prepared to seek compensation from each party responsible. Your lawyer can seek non-economic damages like discomfort and pain as well as financial losses.

Liability

Truck accident cases can be more complicated than car accident claims. Various parties can be held accountable for the occurrence, including the driver of the truck and the trucking company and 18 wheeler accidents the car manufacturer. In addition, the trucking industry has incentives that can lead trucks to be reckless in their driving and even skip sleep to complete deliveries on time.

These elements can influence the time required to settle an accident claim. The injuries suffered by the plaintiff also have an impact on the time it takes to receive compensation. Serious injuries typically result in higher settlements, as opposed to minor injuries that could result in a smaller settlement.

The insurance provider of the trucking company will attempt to minimize its liability by reducing the amount of the claim. It is therefore important to find a truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. They will take on these deceitful tactics to get you the justice you deserve.

In addition, other documents like the bill of lading as well as black box data can be used to determine which party is liable for the truck accident. These documents could prove that the driver of the truck was driving recklessly and can aid in determining if the trucking company had any involvement in the crash. If the truck manufacturer manufactured an unreliable vehicle and was responsible for the crash.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitation determines how long you can start a lawsuit in the event of an accident. The time frame varies from state to state and is contingent on the type of accident you suffered. In general you have four years to bring an injury claim and two years to file a wrongful-death lawsuit. A seasoned attorney will assist you through the process and determine if you have any claims.

Your personal injury lawyer will look over the area of the accident, speak with witnesses, and examine medical documents, driver logbooks, employee files, and maintenance records to determine who was responsible for the accident. This can take some time, so it's important to begin this process as soon as you can to preserve the evidence.

The trucking company and their insurance provider will fight to not pay you what you are due. They may also attempt to overstate or minimize the severity of your injuries. If they are successful this could delay the settlement of your claim. Ultimately, you may be waiting for your settlement for a full year following the crash.

Your lawyer can make sure that the statute of limitations doesn't expire before you are capable of settling your claim or go to trial. There are a few circumstances that could extend the time limit, for example 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 devastating injuries and deaths. Law firms that focus on these accidents earn lots of money. Settlements in 18 wheeler accident lawyer-wheeler accident cases can reach millions and even billions of dollars.

A thorough investigation is essential due to the nature and severity of trucking accidents. This process can take several months. Furthermore, if the matter involves multiple parties, it could take longer to reach an agreement on liability and damages.

It is crucial that a knowledgeable trucking accident lawyer is involved at the beginning of the process to ensure that your best interests are being protected. A lawyer can help you in determining the best amount of compensation you're entitled. They can also make sure that the insurance company is not trying to pay your claim too fast and also that they offer a fair value.

Attorneys typically work on a contingent fee. They are not paid until the case is won. They are paid about 1/3 of any final settlement or court award. Therefore, they must wait for the rest of the money to be received before they can pay their bills or expenses.