How Long Does It Take to File an 18 Wheeler Lawsuit?
If you've been involved in a crash with an
18 wheeler accident lawsuits-wheeler You need an injury lawyer who is familiar with the laws governing trucking and will help you obtain the highest possible settlement. A truck accident case can take between three months to two years to settle.
The process of determining fault in these accidents can be complicated, and multiple parties may be liable for your damages. An experienced lawyer will be able to determine the parties responsible and pursue claims against them.
Damages
Because of the significantly greater weight and size of a commercial truck compared to passengers, accidents involving 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks of this size often cause severe, and even life-threatening injuries. These accidents are also more likely to cause substantial destruction to property and vehicles. In this way, the amount of damages that are awarded in 18 wheeler accidents settlements and jury awards tend to be substantially higher than those awarded in the typical motor vehicle crash.
In most cases, multiple parties could be at fault for an 18-wheeler collision. These include the driver of the truck and his negligence is typically the main cause of these accidents. However, the trucking company they work for could be held liable as well in the event they fail to train their drivers or provide them with proper equipment. Additionally, the trucking company is liable when they encourage or reward their drivers to exceed the federal requirements for
18 Wheeler Accident Lawsuits hours of service. The manufacturer of the truck, or its parts, is also liable for auto defects that cause an accident.
The identification of all responsible parties is essential to secure the most fair and comprehensive settlement. A skilled
18 wheeler accident attorney wheeler lawyer will investigate your case in order to determine who is responsible for your crash and then be fully prepared to pursue the compensation of each party responsible. Your lawyer can seek damages that are not economic, such as discomfort and pain as well as financial losses.
Liability
Accidents involving trucks can be much more complex than car accident claims. The truck driver, trucking company, and
18 Wheeler Accident Lawsuits the vehicle manufacturer can all be held responsible for the consequences of an accident. Additionally, the trucking industry has incentives that can cause trucks to be reckless in their driving and even sleepless in order to make deliveries on time.
These elements can influence the time required to settle an accident claim. Injuries to the plaintiff can also affect how long it takes to get compensation. In the case of severe injuries, they often result in greater settlements as opposed to minor injuries that might result in a smaller settlement.
Furthermore, the trucking company's insurance company will try to minimize their responsibility by decreasing the value of the claim. This is why it's crucial to find a seasoned truck accident attorney as soon as you can. They will fight against these tactics to ensure that you get the settlement you are entitled to.
Additionally, additional documents like the bill of lading and black box data can help determine who is responsible for the truck crash. These documents may prove that the driver of the truck was reckless in his driving. They can also be used to determine if there was any involvement of the trucking company involved in the accident. The manufacturer of the truck could also be responsible for the accident if they had a defective product.
Statute of limitations
The statute of limitations dictates how long you have to start a lawsuit in the event of the cause of a crash. The time frame varies from state to state and depends on the type of accident that you were involved in. You have a general four-year time frame to file an injury lawsuit, and a two-year window to file a wrongful deaths suit. An experienced attorney can assist you in the process and determine if there is an opportunity to pursue a claim.
Your personal injury lawyer will investigate the site of your accident, speak with witnesses, and review medical records, driver logbooks, maintenance and employee records to determine who was responsible for the crash. This can take some time so it's essential to begin this work as soon possible to preserve the evidence.
The trucking company, as well as their insurer will do everything they can to delay paying what you deserved. They might also attempt to minimize your injuries, or even exaggerate them. If they succeed they could delay the settlement of your claim. If they succeed, you could wait for a settlement for more than a year after the accident.
Your lawyer will be able to make sure that the statute of limitations will not expire before you are allowed to settle your claim or take it to trial. There are some circumstances that can overcome the statute of limitations, for instance the fact that you are a minor or have a mental handicap.
Timeline
Tens of thousands of semi truck accidents occur in the United States each year, leading to fatal injuries or even death. The law firms that specialize in these cases earn lots of money. The settlements reached in 18 wheeler accident cases have been in the millions of dollars and oftentimes even billions.
Due to the nature of trucking accidents it is essential to conduct a thorough investigation conducted in order to properly determine the extent of liability and damages. This procedure can take several months. If there are multiple parties involved, it could take longer to reach an agreement on the liability and damages.
To protect your rights It is essential to have an experienced trucking accident lawyer on board early in the process. An attorney can assist in determining the highest amount of compensation you're entitled. They can also ensure that the insurance company doesn't try to settle your claim fast and offers a fair price.
Attorneys usually work on a contingency basis. This means that they aren't paid until they are successful in the case. They are paid about a third of any final settlement or court decision. They must therefore wait until the remainder of their money is received before they can settle their expenses and bills.