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

If you're involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler vehicle, you'll require a lawyer who is well-versed in trucking laws and can assist you to get the most favorable settlement. It could take anywhere from three months to a couple of years to settle a truck accident case.

Multiple parties could be responsible for your losses. Determining the fault in these cases is a difficult. An experienced lawyer can identify the parties responsible and pursue claims against them.

Damages

Because of the much greater weight and size of a truck than passengers accident involving 18-wheelers or other large commercial trucks often result in severe, sometimes life-threatening injuries. These accidents are also more likely to cause significant destruction to property and vehicles. Therefore, the damages awarded in 18 wheeler accident settlements and jury awards are usually significantly higher than those of the typical motor vehicle crash.

Often, several parties may be responsible for the cause of an 18-wheeler crash. Truck drivers are typically the primary cause of accidents because they are liable. However, the company they work for could be held accountable if they fail to properly educate their drivers or provide them with the proper equipment. Furthermore, the company that operates the truck is liable for encouraging or 18 wheeler accident enticing their drivers to overstep the federal hour-of-service rules. In addition, the company that makes the truck or its components can be held responsible if there is an auto defect which causes an accident.

It is important to identify the parties accountable for the accident to get an equitable and complete settlement. A competent attorney for 18 wheeler accident lawyers-wheelers will examine the case to determine who is responsible for your accident and be ready to pursue compensation from each responsible party. Attorneys can pursue non-economic damages, such as pain and discomfort in addition to financial losses.

Liability

The legal process for truck accidents is more complicated than car accident claims. The truck driver, the trucking company, and even the manufacturer of the vehicle can all be held responsible for an accident. Additionally, the trucking industry offers incentives that can lead trucks to speed recklessly or even not sleep to deliver deliveries quickly.

These factors can impact how long it takes to settle a lawsuit. The plaintiff's injuries also play a role in the time it takes to get compensation. Severe injuries often lead to higher settlement amounts, as opposed to minor injuries which may result in a lower settlement.

The insurance company of the trucking firm will try to minimize its liability by reducing the amount of the claim. This is why it's important to hire an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as you can. They will be able to fight these tactics of intimidation to make sure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to.

Additional documents, like the black box's data and bill of lading, could assist in determining who was responsible for the truck accident. These documents could prove that the driver of the truck was reckless in his driving. They can also be used to determine whether there was involvement by the trucking company involved in the accident. The truck manufacturer could be liable for the accident when they made a mistake with their product.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitations determines the time limit in which you are able to start a lawsuit following an automobile accident. The time frame varies by state and is dependent on the type of accident you were involved in. In general you have four years to bring a personal injury claim, and two years to file a wrongful death suit. A knowledgeable attorney can guide you through the process and determine whether you have any claims.

Your personal injury lawyer will examine the accident scene, interview witnesses and review medical records. They will also go through 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 this work as quickly as possible in order to preserve evidence.

The trucking company and their insurance provider will fight to avoid paying you what you deserve. They may also attempt to reduce or exaggerate the severity of the severity of your injuries. If they succeed this could delay the settlement of your claim. If they succeed, you could be waiting for a settlement for more than a year after the accident.

Your lawyer will ensure that the statute of limitation doesn't expire until you have settled your claim or taken it to court. Certain circumstances may be able to override the statute of limitation in certain situations, for example, when you are an under-age person and suffer from a mental disability.

Timeline

In the United States, there are hundreds of thousands of semi-truck accidents each year that cause devastating injuries and deaths. Law firms that focus in these incidents earn huge sums of money. The settlements reached in 18 wheeler accident cases have been in the millions of dollars, and often times, billions.

Due to the nature of trucking accidents it is essential to conduct a thorough investigation done to determine the responsibility and damages. This procedure can take several months. If there are multiple parties involved, it might take longer to reach an agreement on the amount of damages and liability.

It is crucial that a knowledgeable trucking accident lawyer is present early on to ensure that your interests are safeguarded. A lawyer can assist you determine the maximum compensation you deserve. They can also ensure that the insurance company isn't trying to resolve your claim too quickly and that they are offering the right amount.

Attorneys typically work on a contingency fee basis. They do not get paid until the case is won. They get around one-third of any final settlement or the court's decision. Therefore, they have to wait for the remainder of the money to be deposited before they can pay their bills and expenses.