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

If you are involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler, then you'll need a personal attorney who is familiar with trucking laws and can assist you to get the most favorable settlement. It could take up to three months or several years to settle a truck accident case.

There could be multiple parties responsible for your injuries. Finding out who is at fault in these incidents is a complicated. An experienced lawyer can identify all parties liable and take legal action against them.

Damages

Accidents involving 18-wheelers or other large commercial trucks can cause serious, and even life-threatening injuries. This is due to the weight and size of a truck being much greater than a passenger car. These accidents are also more likely to result in significant damage to the property and vehicles. The damages paid out in 18 wheeler crash settlements and jury awards are typically much higher than the damages of an ordinary motor vehicle crash.

Often, several parties may be responsible for causing an 18 wheeler accident lawyer-wheeler collision. Truck drivers are often the main reason for accidents, since they are liable. The trucking company they work for could be held liable if it is unable to provide the proper training or equipment for their drivers. Furthermore, the company that operates the truck could be held accountable when they encourage or reward their drivers to exceed the federal hour-of-service rules. The manufacturer of the truck or its parts is liable in the event of an auto defect that leads to an accident.

It is crucial to determine all parties who are responsible for the accident in order to obtain a fair and comprehensive settlement. A competent attorney for 18-wheelers will review the case to determine which party is responsible for your accident and be ready to pursue compensation from each responsible party. Your lawyer can pursue non-economic damages such as pain and discomfort as well as financial losses.

Liability

The cases involving truck accidents are more complicated than regular car accident claims. The truck driver, trucking company and vehicle manufacturer could all be held accountable for an accident. In addition, the trucking industry has incentives that could cause trucks to drive recklessly and even skip sleep in order to make deliveries on time.

These factors can prolong the time it takes to settle a truck crash claim. The plaintiff's injuries also affect how long it takes to get compensation. The most severe injuries usually result in higher settlements in comparison to minor injuries that could result in a lower settlement.

The insurance provider of the trucking company will attempt to reduce its liability by reducing the amount of the claim. This is why it's important to engage an experienced truck accident lawyer as quickly as you can. They will be able to counter these intimidating tactics to get you the money you deserve.

Additional documents, such as the black box data as well as the bill of lading, can aid in determining who is accountable for the truck crash. These documents could indicate that the driver of the truck was reckless in his driving. They can also be used to determine the extent of involvement of the trucking company in the accident. The manufacturer of the truck could also be held accountable for the accident in the event of a defective product.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitation sets the time period within which you can make a claim after a car accident. The statute of limitations varies state-to-state and depends on the type of accident you suffered. In general you have four years to file an injury claim for personal injury, and two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. A seasoned attorney will guide you through the process and determine whether you have an outstanding case.

Your personal injury lawyer will look over the site of your accident, talk to witnesses, and review medical records, driver logbooks, maintenance and employee records to determine who was responsible for the crash. This may take a while and it's crucial to begin this process as soon as you can to preserve the evidence.

The trucking company and their insurer will do everything they can to avoid paying what you deserve. They may also try and overstate or minimize the severity of your injuries. If they are successful this could delay the settlement of your claim. If they succeed, you could be left waiting for a settlement for a full year following your accident.

Your lawyer will ensure that the statute of limitation doesn't expire until you settle your claim or taken the matter to court. There are certain situations which can extend the statute of limitations, for instance the fact that you are a minor or suffer from a mental handicap.

Timeline

Tens of thousands semi truck accidents occur in the United States each year, causing debilitating injuries or death. These accidents are huge business for law firms who specialize in handling them. Settlements reached in 18 wheeler accidents have been in the millions of dollars and oftentimes even billions.

An extensive investigation is necessary due to the nature and severity of trucking accidents. This process can take up to several months. Additionally, if the case involves several parties, it might take longer for them to come to an agreement on liability and damages.

It is essential that a seasoned trucking accident lawyer is involved early in the process to ensure that your interests are protected. A lawyer can assist you determine the highest amount of amount of compensation you're entitled to. They can also make sure that the insurance company is not trying to resolve your claim too quickly and also that they offer an amount that is fair.

Attorneys typically operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that they don't get paid unless they succeed in winning the case. They usually get around one-third of the final settlement or the court's award. As a result, they must wait for the remainder of the money to be received before they can pay their bills and expenses.