How Long Does It Take to File an 18 Wheeler Lawsuit?
If you're involved in an accident with a
18 wheeler accident lawsuits-wheeler, you will require a lawyer who is well-versed in trucking laws and can help you get the most favorable settlement. A truck crash case can take anywhere between three months and two years to settle.
Finding out who is responsible for these accidents can be complicated, and multiple parties may be responsible for your injuries. An experienced lawyer can identify the parties responsible and seek claims against each of them.
Damages
Due to the higher weight and size of a truck versus passengers, accidents involving
18 wheeler accident lawsuit-wheelers and other commercial trucks that are large can 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 much higher than the damages of an ordinary motor vehicle crash.
There are many parties that could be accountable for an 18-wheeler crash. It could be the driver of the truck who's negligence is typically the main cause of these accidents. The trucking company that they work for could also be held accountable if it is unable to provide the proper training or equipment to its drivers. The trucking firm could be held accountable if it encourages or rewards their drivers to violate federal regulations on hours of service. The company that makes the truck or its components is also liable in the event that an auto defect leads to an accident.
Identifying all the liable parties is essential to secure the most fair and comprehensive settlement. An experienced 18 wheeler lawyer will examine your case to determine who is responsible for causing the accident, and will be fully prepared to pursue the compensation of each party responsible. In addition to pursuing financial losses, your lawyer can also pursue non-economic damages, such as suffering and pain.
Liability
The cases involving truck accidents are more complex than typical car accident claims. There are many parties that can be held responsible for the accident, which includes the driver of the truck as well as the trucking company and the vehicle manufacturer. The trucking industry also offers incentives which can encourage trucks to drive recklessly, or even skip sleeping in order to make deliveries quickly.
These factors can increase the time it takes to settle a case involving an accident. Injury to the plaintiff may also affect how long it takes to receive compensation. For serious injuries, it is possible to receive an amount of settlement that is higher than minor injuries.
The insurance company of the trucking company may also attempt to reduce its liability by reducing the value of the claim. It is therefore important to contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. They will fight against these tactics to ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve.
Furthermore, supplementary documents such as the bill of lading and black box data can help identify which party is liable for the truck crash. These documents may show that the driver of the truck was reckless in his driving. They can also be used to determine if there was any involvement by the trucking company in the crash. If the truck manufacturer had an unsafe vehicle or a defective vehicle, they could be accountable for the accident.
Statute of limitations
The statute of limitation sets the time frame within which you are able to start a lawsuit following an auto accident. The statute of limitations varies state-to-state and depends on the type of accident you suffered. You are given a general four-year period for filing an injury lawsuit, and a two-year window to file a wrongful-death suit. An experienced attorney will guide you through the process and determine whether you have an outstanding case.
Your personal injury lawyer will examine the site of your accident, talk to witnesses, and
accidents review medical records, driver logbooks maintenance and employee records to find out who was responsible for the accident. This can take some time and it's crucial to begin this process promptly to protect the evidence.
The trucking company and their insurance provider will fight to deny you the compensation you deserve. They might also try to minimize your injuries, or even exaggerate the severity of your injuries. If they succeed this could delay the settling of your claim. Ultimately, you could be left waiting for a settlement for more than a year following the crash.
Your lawyer can ensure that the statute of limitations doesn't expire before you are allowed to settle your claim or bring it to trial. There are a few circumstances that could extend the statute of limitations, including the fact that you are a minor or suffer from mental impairment.
Timeline
In the United States, there are thousands of semi truck accidents every year that result in debilitating injuries and death. These accidents are huge business for law firms that specialize in handling them. Settlements reached in 18 wheeler accidents have been in the millions of dollars, and often, billions of dollars.
Due to the nature of trucking accidents it is essential to conduct a thorough investigation done to determine liability and damages. This procedure can take several months. If there are multiple parties involved, it could take longer to reach an agreement on liability and damages.
It is crucial that a knowledgeable trucking accident lawyer is involved early in the process to ensure that your interests are being protected. An attorney can assist in determining the best amount of compensation you deserve. They can also make sure that the insurance company does not try to settle your claim in a hurry and is offering a fair price.
Attorneys usually work on a contingent fee. They are not paid until the case is won. They usually receive around one-third of the final settlement or the court's award. They must therefore wait until the remainder of their funds arrive before they can pay for their expenses and bills.