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

If you are involved in an accident involving an 18-wheeler, you'll need a personal attorney who is knowledgeable of trucking laws and can help you find the best settlement. A truck accident case can take anywhere between three months to two years to settle.

Determining fault in these accidents can be complicated and a variety of parties could be responsible for the damages. A knowledgeable attorney can determine all responsible parties and seek claims against each of them.

Damages

Accidents involving 18-wheelers and other large commercial trucks can result in serious, even life-threatening injuries. This is due to the weight and size of a commercial truck being greater than a passenger car. These accidents are also more likely to result in significant damage to property and vehicles. Due to this, damages granted by juries and settlements in 18 wheeler crashes are usually more than those that are awarded for a normal motor vehicle accident.

Often, several parties may be responsible for causing an 18-wheeler crash. This could include the truck driver, whose negligence is usually the main cause of these accidents. The trucking company they work for could be held responsible if it does not provide adequate training or equipment to its drivers. The trucking firm could be liable if they encourage or rewards their drivers to violate the federal laws regarding hours of service. Additionally, the manufacturer of the truck or its parts can be held liable if there is an auto defect that leads to an accident.

Finding all the responsible parties is vital to securing a full and fair settlement. A knowledgeable attorney for Carteret 18 Wheeler Accident Attorney-wheelers will investigate the case to determine who is accountable for the accident and be ready to pursue compensation from each responsible party. In addition to seeking financial losses, your lawyer can also pursue damages not monetary like suffering and pain.

Liability

The cases involving truck accidents can be more complicated than claims for car accidents. Many parties could be held responsible for the accident, which includes the truck driver and the trucking company and the car manufacturer. The trucking industry also has incentives which can encourage trucks to drive recklessly, or even to sleep in order to make quick deliveries.

These factors can impact how long it takes to settle a claim for an accident. The injuries suffered by the plaintiff also affect how long it will take to receive compensation. Serious injuries can lead to more money in settlements than minor injuries.

In addition, the trucking firm's insurance provider will attempt 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 fight against these tactics of intimidation to ensure that you receive the money you deserve.

Additional documents, like the black box's data and bill of lading can assist in determining who was at fault for the truck crash. These documents may show that the driver of the truck was driving recklessly. They can also be used to determine whether there was any involvement by the trucking company in the accident. The truck manufacturer may also be liable for the accident in the event that they manufactured a defective product.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitations defines the length of time you must make a claim for a crash. This period varies by state and depends on the type of accident you were in. In general there are four years to bring an injury claim for personal injury, and two years to file a wrongful-death suit. An experienced lawyer can guide you through the process and determine if you're eligible for any claims.

Your personal injury lawyer will investigate the site of your accident, speak with witnesses, and scrutinize medical records, driver logbooks, maintenance and employee records to find out who was at fault for the accident. It can take a long time therefore it is important to begin this work as soon possible to preserve the evidence.

The trucking company, as well as their insurer will do everything they can to prevent paying what you deserve. They might also try to downplay your injuries or even exaggerate the severity of your injuries. If they succeed they could delay the settling of your claim. If they succeed, you may be waiting for your settlement for over a year following the crash.

Your lawyer can ensure that the statute of limitations doesn't expire until you have settled your dispute or brought the matter to court. There are certain circumstances that may be able to override the statute of limitations, for instance the fact that you are a minor or suffer from a mental handicap.

Timeline

In the United States, there are hundreds of thousands of semi-truck accidents every year that result in fatal injuries and even death. These incidents are big business for the law firms that specialize in handling these. Settlements reached in bartlesville 18 wheeler accident law firm wheeler accident cases have been in the millions of dollars and oftentimes even billions.

Due to the nature of trucking accidents, a thorough investigation must be completed to determine the responsibility and damages. This procedure can take several months. If there are multiple parties involved, it can take longer to reach an agreement on damages and liability.

To protect your interests it is vital to have an experienced trucking accident lawyer available early in the process. An attorney can assist in determining the highest amount of compensation you deserve. They can also ensure that the insurance company isn't trying to pay your claim too fast and that they are offering an appropriate amount.

Attorneys usually work on a contingency basis. They are not paid unless the case is won. They are paid about 1/3 of any final settlement or the court's decision. In the end, they must wait for the rest of the money to arrive before they can pay their bills or expenses.