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

If you're involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler, then you'll need a personal attorney who is well-versed in trucking laws and can assist you to find the best settlement. A truck accident case can take between three months to two years to settle.

Finding out who is responsible for these kinds of accidents can be challenging, and multiple parties may be responsible for your injuries. An experienced attorney will be able to identify all liable parties and seek to pursue claims against them.

Damages

Accidents involving 18-wheelers and other large commercial trucks could cause serious, life-threatening injuries. This is due to the weight and size of a commercial truck being greater than a passenger car. These accidents are also more likely to cause substantial damage to property and vehicles. In this way, the amount of damages paid out in 18 Wheeler accident lawsuits wheeler crash settlements and jury awards tend to be significantly higher than those of an ordinary motor vehicle crash.

Often, several parties may be accountable for an 18-wheeler accident. It could be the driver of the truck who's negligence is often the leading cause of these accidents. However, the company they work for could be held accountable when they fail to adequately train their drivers or provide them with proper equipment. Additionally, the trucking company is liable when they encourage or reward their employees to violate the federal regulations on hours of service. The manufacturer of the truck or its components could also be held accountable in the event that an auto defect leads to an accident.

Recognizing all parties responsible is crucial to securing a full and fair settlement. A skilled attorney for 18 wheeler accident-wheelers will investigate your case in order to determine who is responsible for causing your crash and then be prepared to pursue settlement from each party accountable. Your lawyer may seek damages that are not economic, such as discomfort and pain as well as financial losses.

Liability

Truck accident cases are more complicated than standard car accident claims. The truck driver, trucking company and vehicle manufacturer could all be held accountable for the consequences of an accident. In addition, the trucking industry has incentives that could cause trucks to speed recklessly or even not sleep to deliver deliveries quickly.

These factors can prolong the amount of time it takes to settle a truck crash claim. Personal injuries to the plaintiff can 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 firm will try to minimize its liability by reducing the value of the claim. This is why it is important to engage an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. They will fight these intimidation tactics to get you the money you deserve.

Furthermore, supplementary documents like the bill of lading or 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 driving recklessly. They can also be used to determine if there was any involvement of the trucking company in the incident. The truck manufacturer may also be liable for the accident if they had a defective product.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitations determines the time period within which you can file a lawsuit after a car accident. This timeframe varies from state to state and is contingent on the kind of accident you were involved in. You have a general four-year period to file a personal injury lawsuit and a two-year period to file a wrongful death suit. A knowledgeable attorney can help you navigate through the process and determine if you have an opportunity to pursue a claim.

Your personal injury attorney will investigate the scene of the accident and interview witnesses. They will also review medical records. They will also go through the logbooks of employees, driver logbooks and maintenance records to determine who was at fault. This can take a considerable amount of time, so it is important to begin the process as soon as you can in order to secure evidence.

The trucking company and their insurance provider will fight to deny you what you are due. They may also try to downplay your injuries or even exaggerate them. If they succeed they could delay the settlement of your claim. You could be waiting longer than a year to receive your settlement.

Your lawyer will be able to make sure that the statute of limitations does not expire before you are in a position to settle your case or even go to trial. Certain circumstances may override the statute of limitations like if you are an adult and suffer from a mental impairment.

Timeline

Tens of thousands of semi truck accidents happen in the United States each year, leading to fatal injuries or even death. The law firms that concentrate on these incidents make lots of money. Settlements in 18 wheeler accident lawyer-wheeler accidents could be millions or billions of dollars.

An exhaustive investigation is necessary due to the nature and severity of trucking accidents. This process can take several months. If there are multiple parties involved, it can take longer to reach an agreement on liability and damages.

It's important that an experienced trucking accident lawyer is present at the beginning of the process to ensure that your interests are being protected. A lawyer can help you determine the amount of amount of compensation you're entitled to. They can also make sure that the insurance company doesn't try to settle your claim quickly and is offering an acceptable price.

Attorneys usually work on a contingent fee. They are not paid until the case is won. They get about 1/3 of any final settlement or court award. They have to wait until the rest of their money is available before they can settle their expenses and bills.