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

If you're involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler, you'll require a lawyer who is knowledgeable of trucking laws and can help you get the most favorable settlement. It can take anything from three months to several years to settle a truck accident case.

Multiple parties may be responsible for your losses. Determining the fault in these cases is a difficult. An experienced attorney can identify all responsible parties and seek claims against each of them.

Damages

Due to the higher weight and size of a truck versus an automobile the accidents that involve 18 wheeler accident lawsuits-wheelers and other commercial trucks can result in serious, even life-threatening injuries. They also usually result in more severe destruction to vehicles and property. Therefore, the damages that are awarded in 18 wheeler accidents settlements and jury awards are often substantially higher than those awarded in an ordinary motor vehicle crash.

Sometimes, several parties are responsible for an 18-wheeler crash. It could be the truck driver and his negligence is typically the main cause of these accidents. However, the company they work for can be held liable as well if they fail to properly train their drivers or provide them with adequate equipment. The trucking company may also be held accountable if they encourage or rewards its drivers to break the federal laws regarding hours of service. The truck's manufacturer, or its parts, is also liable if an auto defect causes an accident.

It is important to identify all parties who are responsible for the accident to negotiate a fair and comprehensive settlement. A skilled attorney for 18 wheelers will investigate your case to determine who is responsible for causing your crash and then be prepared to pursue compensation from each party responsible. In addition to seeking financial losses, your lawyer may also pursue other damages like pain and suffering.

Liability

Truck accident cases are more complex than normal car accident claims. The truck driver, the trucking company, and even the manufacturer of the vehicle can all be held accountable for an accident. Additionally, the trucking industry has incentives that can cause trucks to be reckless and even skip sleep to complete deliveries on time.

These elements can impact the time required to settle a truck accident claim. Injury to the plaintiff may impact the length of time it takes to get compensation. Serious injuries typically result in greater settlements as opposed to minor injuries that could result in a smaller settlement.

Moreover, the trucking company's insurance provider will try to reduce their liability by decreasing the value of the claim. This is why it's important to engage an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as you can. They will take on these intimidation tactics to ensure that you receive the money you are entitled to.

Additional documents such as the bill of delivery and black box data can help determine the party responsible for the truck crash. These documents may prove 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 accident. The truck manufacturer could be responsible for the accident when they made a mistake with their product.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitation determines the length of time you must start a lawsuit in the event of a crash. This timeframe varies from state to state and is determined by the type of accident you've been involved in. In general you have four years to file an injury claim for personal injury, and two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. An experienced lawyer will assist you through the process and determine if you have a claim.

Your personal injury lawyer will examine the accident scene and interview witnesses. They will also look over medical records. They will also review driver logbooks, employee records and maintenance records to determine who was responsible for the accident. This can take a substantial amount of time, and it is important to start the process as soon as possible in order to preserve evidence.

The trucking company, 18 wheeler accidents as well as their insurance company will do everything they can to prevent paying you what you deserve. They might also try to downplay your injuries or even exaggerate them. If they are successful this can delay the settling of your claim, and you may be waiting for your settlement for over a year after the accident.

Your lawyer can make sure that the statute of limitation will not run out until you settle your claim or brought it to court. Some circumstances can override the statute of limitation like being a minor and have a mental impairment.

Timeline

Tens of thousands semi truck accidents happen in the United States each year, causing debilitating injuries or death. These accidents are a major business for the law firms that specialize in handling these. Settlements for 18 wheeler accident lawsuit-wheeler accident cases can reach millions and billions of dollars.

A thorough investigation is required due to the nature and severity of trucking accidents. This process could take several months to complete. Furthermore, if the matter involves multiple parties, it may take longer for them to come to an agreement on the liability and damages.

It is crucial that a knowledgeable trucking accident attorney is in place at the beginning of the process to ensure that your best interests are protected. A lawyer can help you in determining the best amount of compensation you're entitled. They can also ensure that the insurance company is not trying to settle your claim too quickly and also that they offer an appropriate amount.

Attorneys usually work on a contingent fee basis. They are not paid until the case is won. They receive about one-third of any final settlement or court decision. This means that they have to wait for the remainder of the money to be received before they are able to pay for their bills and expenses.