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

The amount of time required to settle a trucking accident case varies from case to case. There are a number of factors that could affect the speed of settlement.

It can take an extended time to determine who is accountable for an accident. A lawyer can help determine all the parties responsible and maximize your settlement.

What to Expect

The timeline for a settlement in a case involving an 18-wheeler is contingent on a variety of factors which include the possibility of liability and damages. The case may be delayed if parties to the collision are not able to agree on the cause of the accident. If there are disagreements about the evidence or testimony of witnesses, it could delay the proceedings.

Settlement amounts can vary greatly according to the severity of injuries, the insurance policy of the trucking firm and the current state or federal regulations that govern commercial vehicles. Remember that plaintiff attorneys are paid on a contingency basis. This means they are not paid until they have won a case, or reached an agreement.

Due to the serious and often catastrophic injuries that can result from semi-truck accidents it's not a surprise that these cases are huge business for attorneys who litigate them. Settlements can often reach millions of dollars in these cases. This is particularly true when the trucking company is declared to be negligent.

Liability

Each year, there are nearly 100,000 accidents involving 18 wheelers across the United States. Many of these accidents cause serious injuries and even death. Insurance companies often undervalue injuries and damages of victims in these accidents. However, an experienced 18 wheeler accident attorney (view Shorl) can even the playing field and negotiate with these large insurance companies to secure their clients the maximum settlements.

The defendants in an 18 wheeler lawsuit could be held accountable for a variety of damages including economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages can include medical expenses, lost wages and future earnings. Non-economic damages can include emotional distress, disfigurement or 18 wheeler accident attorney diminished quality of life.

Attorneys who represent plaintiffs in 18 wheeler cases work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that they don't receive any money until they prevail and agree to an agreement for their client. In the meantime, they need to pay for court fees, take depositions and hire experts, other specialists, travel, and pay for other costs related to winning a case.

Damages

18-wheeler accidents can cause serious injuries, especially when they occur at high speed. Due to the size and weight of these trucks, the impact of an accident can be even more severe than a regular motor vehicle accident. The damage can be more extensive.

In addition to the physical and medical damage that can result from an 18-wheeler crash victims may also be eligible for 18 Wheeler Accident attorney compensation for their lost earnings and the pain caused by the loss of loved ones. A personal injury lawyer can help you determine the total amount you are entitled to when you are suffering losses as a result of a semi truck crash.

Legal proceedings can be costly. Plaintiff attorneys need to pay for things like travel, take depositions, hire experts to testify, and pay for court costs, which is why they must get their clients' cash as soon as possible. There are ways that plaintiffs can get their money faster after an agreement. These are known as post settlement advances or lawsuit loans. They are a great option for injured parties to cover expenses while waiting for their settlement.

Timeline

There are a myriad of elements that determine how long it takes to settle a truck accident case. One of the major factors is the severity of your injuries. You should wait until your condition has improved to the maximum before settling. You could be eligible for future losses, like lost wages or the lower quality of living. Your attorney will need to provide evidence to support your claims.

A dispute between the parties over the liability or damages could delay the settlement process. This can happen when multiple insurance companies are involved, or the parties disagree about the fault of one party.

A qualified truck accident attorney can help you determine if the insurance company offers you an adequate amount and whether it will be able to cover your future and current damages. If the insurance company refuses to negotiate, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit, which could extend time for the case. In certain cases, the case could take longer than a full year to resolve.

Settlement

There are a few elements that could cause an extended time to settle a 18-wheeler lawsuit. The severity of the injuries and insurance considerations are two elements that can impact the timeline. It could take time for your doctor to submit documentation of permanent impairments that could impact your future losses. It is important that you not settle your claim for an accident too early, as it could result in you not receiving the funds you'll need to recuperate the full extent of your damages.

Plaintiff attorneys who litigate 18 wheeler accident attorneys wheeler accidents work on contingency fee and don't get paid until they succeed in their case or negotiate an agreement. This means they've had to put aside their own money to cover the costs of court, travel, and expert witness expenses all during the course of the case.

As you are able to imagine, this can add up quite a bit. Many 18-wheeler plaintiff lawyers make use of settlement cash advances or lawsuit loans to offset their out-of pocket legal expenses. This lets them receive the funds earlier.