How Long Does It Take to File an 18 Wheeler Lawsuit?
If you've been involved in a crash involving an 18 wheeler You need an attorney for personal injuries who is familiar with the laws governing trucking and will assist you in obtaining the best possible settlement. A truck accident case can take anywhere between three months to two years to settle.
Many parties could be accountable for your injuries. Finding out who was at fault for these types of accidents can be a challenge. An experienced lawyer can pinpoint all parties liable and assert claims against each of them.
Damages
Accidents involving 18-wheelers as well as other large commercial trucks could cause serious, 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 cause extensive destruction to property and vehicles. Due to this, the amount of damages that juries and settlements award in 18 wheeler crashes are usually much higher than those that are awarded in a typical motor vehicle accident.
Sometimes, several parties can be accountable for an 18-wheeler accident. It could be the driver of the truck, whose negligence is usually the main cause of these accidents. However, the company they work for could be held liable as well in the event they fail to educate their drivers or provide them with proper equipment. The trucking company could also be held accountable if they encourage or rewards their drivers to break federal regulations on hours of service. Finally, the manufacturer of the truck or its components can be held liable if there is an auto defect that leads to an accident.
Identifying all the liable parties is essential to ensure a full and fair settlement. A skilled 18 wheeler lawyer will investigate your case in order to determine the person responsible for your crash and then be fully prepared to seek compensation from each party responsible. Your attorney can seek damages that are not economic, such as discomfort and pain in addition to financial losses.
Liability
Truck accident cases are more complex than typical car accident claims. Many parties could be held responsible for the occurrence, including the driver of the truck as well as the trucking firm and the car manufacturer. The trucking industry also has incentives that can cause trucks to be reckless and even to sleep in order to speed up deliveries.
These elements can influence the time required to settle an accident claim. The injuries suffered by the plaintiff could impact the length of time it takes to receive compensation. For serious injuries, it is possible to receive more money in settlements than minor injuries.
In addition, the trucking firm's insurance provider will attempt to minimize their responsibility by reducing the amount of the claim. It is therefore important to contact a truck accident lawyer immediately. They will fight these intimidation tactics to secure you the justice you deserve.
Additional documents, like the black box data as well as the bill of lading, could aid in determining who is responsible for the truck accident. These documents could indicate that the driver of the truck was driving recklessly. They can also be used to determine if there was any involvement of the trucking company involved in the accident. If the truck manufacturer had a vehicle that was defective it could be the one responsible for the accident.
Statute of limitations
The statute of limitation determines the time frame you must bring a lawsuit after the cause of a crash. The time frame varies from state to state and is contingent on the type of accident that you were involved in. In general you have four years to file a personal injury claim, and two years to file a wrongful death suit. An experienced lawyer will assist you through the process and determine if you have an issue.
The personal injury lawyer you hire will examine the accident scene and interview witnesses. They will also review medical records. 18 wheeler accident claim mount vernon will also review driver logbooks, employee records and maintenance records to determine who is responsible for the accident. It can take a long time therefore it is important to start this process promptly to protect the evidence.
The trucking company, as well as their insurer will do everything they can to avoid paying the amount you are due. They may also try and exaggerate or minimize the severity of your injuries. If they are successful, it can delay the settlement of your claim, and you may be waiting for your settlement for more than a year following your accident.
Your lawyer will be able to make sure that the statute of limitations does not expire before you are able to settle your claim or even go to trial. There are a few circumstances that can overcome the statute of limitations, such as the fact that you are a minor or have mental impairment.
Timeline
Tens of thousands semi truck accidents occur in the United States each year, causing debilitating injuries or death. The law firms that concentrate in these cases earn a lot of money. Settlements in 18 wheeler accident cases have been in the millions of dollars, and oftentimes even billions.
Due to the nature of trucking accidents an exhaustive investigation has to be done to determine the responsibility and damages. This procedure can take several months. Additionally, if the case involves several parties, it might take longer for them to come to an agreement on the liability and damages.
To safeguard your interests, it's crucial to have an experienced trucking accident lawyer in your corner early in the process. An attorney can help determine the best amount of compensation you're entitled to. They can also ensure that the insurance company does not try to settle your claim in a hurry and offers an affordable price.
Attorneys usually work on a basis of contingent fees. This means that they aren't paid unless they win the case. They generally receive around one third of the final settlement or the court's award. This means that they must wait for the remainder of the money to come in before they can pay their bills or expenses.