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

If you're involved in an accident involving an 18-wheeler vehicle, 18 wheeler accidents you'll require a lawyer who is familiar with trucking laws and can help you get the most favorable settlement. A truck accident case could take anywhere between three months to two years to settle.

There could be multiple parties responsible for your damages. Finding out who is at fault in these incidents is a complicated. An experienced attorney can identify all responsible parties and pursue claims against each of them.

Damages

Due to the higher weight and size of a truck versus an automobile, accidents involving 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks that are large can result in severe, sometimes life-threatening injuries. These accidents are also more likely to cause significant damage to property and vehicles. The damages that are awarded in 18 wheeler accidents settlements and jury awards tend to be much higher than the damages of an ordinary motor vehicle crash.

Many times, multiple parties are responsible for an 18-wheeler accident. It could be the driver of the truck, whose negligence is usually the leading cause of these accidents. However, the company they work for could be held accountable in the event they fail to train their drivers or provide them with proper equipment. Additionally, the trucking company is liable for incentivizing or encouraging their drivers to exceed the federal regulations on hours of service. The manufacturer of the truck, or its parts, is also liable in the event that an auto defect leads to an accident.

It is important to identify all parties responsible for the accident to get an equitable and complete settlement. A skilled 18 wheeler accident lawsuits-wheeler lawyer will examine the case to determine who is accountable for your accident and be ready to pursue compensation from each responsible party. In addition to seeking financial losses, your lawyer can also pursue non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.

Liability

Truck accident cases are more complicated than standard car accident claims. Different parties could be held accountable for the accident, including the truck driver as well as the trucking company and the manufacturer of the vehicle. In addition, the trucking industry has incentives that can lead trucks to drive recklessly and even skip sleep to make deliveries on time.

These factors can prolong the time required to settle a truck crash claim. The injuries of the plaintiff also have an impact on the time it takes to get compensation. Injuries that are severe can result in more money in settlements than minor injuries.

The insurance company of the trucking company will also attempt to minimize its liability by reducing the amount of the claim. It is essential to hire a truck accident lawyer immediately. They will fight these intimidation tactics to get you the justice you deserve.

In addition, other documents such as the bill of lading as well as black box data can help determine which party is liable for the truck accident. These documents could indicate that the driver of the truck was driving recklessly. They can also be used to determine whether there was involvement by the trucking company in the accident. The manufacturer of the truck could also be accountable for the crash when they made a mistake with their product.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitation determines how long you can bring a lawsuit after the cause of a crash. This period can vary by state and is based on the type accident you were involved in. In general you will have up to four years to bring a personal injury claim, and two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. An experienced attorney will assist you through the process and determine if you have a case.

Your personal injury lawyer will look over the area of the accident, question witnesses, and examine medical records, driver logbooks maintenance and employee records to find out who was at fault for the crash. This can take a considerable amount of time and it is important to begin this process as soon as possible to preserve evidence.

The trucking company and their insurance provider will fight to not pay you what you are due. They may also attempt to minimize or exaggerate the severity of your injuries. If they are successful, it can delay the settling of your claim. If they succeed, you may be waiting for a settlement for over a year after your crash.

Your lawyer will ensure that the time limit does not expire before you are in a position to settle your case or bring it to trial. Certain circumstances may be able to override the statute of limitation, such as when you are an under-age person and suffer from an intellectual disability.

Timeline

In the United States, there are thousands of semi truck accidents each year that cause debilitating injuries and death. Law firms that focus in these cases earn an enormous amount of money. Settlements in 18-wheeler accidents can reach millions and billions of dollars.

Due to the nature of trucking accidents it is essential to conduct a thorough investigation conducted in order to properly determine the responsibility and damages. This process can take up to several months. Additionally, if the case involves multiple parties, it may take longer to get them to agree on liability and damages.

It's important that an experienced trucking accident attorney is onboard early in the process to ensure that your interests are being safeguarded. A lawyer can assist with determining the maximum amount of compensation you deserve. They can also make sure that the insurance company doesn't try to settle your claim in a hurry and 18 wheeler accidents is providing an acceptable price.

Attorneys generally are paid on a contingency basis. They do not get paid until the case is won. They generally receive around a third of the final settlement or the court's award. They must therefore wait until the remainder of their money arrives before they can pay for their bills and expenses.