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

If you're involved in an accident involving an 18 wheeler accident attorney-wheeler, then you'll need a personal attorney who is knowledgeable of trucking laws and can help you get the most favorable settlement. It could take anywhere from three months to a couple of years to settle a truck accident case.

The process of determining fault in these incidents can be a challenge and a variety of parties could be responsible for your injuries. A skilled attorney will be able to determine all liable parties and pursue claims against them.

Damages

Because of the significantly greater weight and size of a truck versus a passenger vehicle, accidents involving 18-wheelers and other large commercial trucks often cause severe, and even life-threatening injuries. They also usually cause much more significant damage to property and vehicles. Therefore, the damages that are awarded in 18 wheeler accidents settlements and jury awards tend to be substantially higher than those awarded in a normal motor vehicle crash.

Many times, multiple parties are accountable for a crash involving an 18-wheeler. This could include the driver of the truck and his negligence is typically the primary cause of these accidents. The trucking company they work for may also be held accountable if the company fails to provide proper training or equipment to their drivers. In addition, the trucking company can be held liable when they encourage or reward their drivers to overstep the federal regulations on hours of service. The truck's manufacturer, or its parts, is also liable for auto defects that cause an accident.

It is crucial to determine all parties responsible for the accident to get an honest and complete settlement. A knowledgeable attorney for 18 wheeler accident attorney-wheelers will investigate the incident to determine who is accountable for your accident and be prepared to pursue compensation from each party responsible. Your attorney can seek non-economic damages like pain and discomfort in addition to financial losses.

Liability

Accidents involving trucks can be much more complex than claims for car accidents. The truck driver, trucking company, and even the manufacturer of the vehicle can all be held responsible for an accident. Furthermore, the industry of trucking has incentives that can cause trucks to speed recklessly or even not sleep to deliver deliveries on time.

These factors can impact how long it takes to settle a lawsuit. Injury to the plaintiff may affect the time it takes to receive compensation. Serious injuries typically result in larger settlement amounts and less than minor injuries that could result in a smaller settlement.

Additionally, the trucking company's insurance provider will attempt to limit their liability by decreasing the value of the claim. This is why it's important to engage an experienced truck accident lawyer as quickly as you can. They will fight back against these tactics of intimidation to ensure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to.

Additionally, additional documents such as the bill of delivery and black box data can help identify the party responsible for the truck crash. These documents could prove that the driver of the truck was driving recklessly. They can also be used to determine if there was any involvement by the trucking company in the crash. The truck manufacturer could be liable for the accident in the event of a defective product.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitation determines the time period within which you can start a lawsuit following an accident in the car. The statute of limitations varies state-to-state and is based on the type of accident you were in. You have a general four-year period to file an injury claim and a two-year time frame to file a wrongful-death suit. A knowledgeable attorney can assist you through the process and determine whether you have an outstanding case.

Your personal injury lawyer will examine the area of the accident, question witnesses, and examine medical records, driver logbooks maintenance and employee records to find out who was responsible for the accident. This can take some time and it's crucial to begin this work as soon as you can to preserve the evidence.

The trucking company, as well as their insurance company, will do everything they can to avoid paying you what you deserve. They may also attempt to minimize or exaggerate the severity of your injuries. If they succeed, it can delay the settling of your claim. In the end, you could wait for a settlement for more than a year after your crash.

Your lawyer can make sure that the statute of limitation doesn't expire until you have settled your claim or brought the matter to court. There are certain circumstances that may be able to override the statute of limitations, including the fact that you are a minor or suffer from mental impairment.

Timeline

In the United States, there are hundreds of thousands of semi-truck accidents each year that result in severe injuries and death. The law firms that specialize in these incidents earn lots of money. Settlements in 18-wheeler collision cases could be millions or billions of dollars.

Due to the nature of trucking accidents an exhaustive investigation has to be done to determine the liability and damages. This process can take up to several months. In addition, if the case involves several parties, it might take longer for them to come to an agreement on liability and damages.

To protect your rights it is crucial to have a skilled trucking accident lawyer on your side early in the process. A lawyer can assist you in determining the highest amount of compensation you're entitled to. They can also ensure that the insurance company is not trying to settle your claim quickly and also that they offer the right amount.

Attorneys generally work on a contingency fee basis. They are not paid until the case is won. They are paid about one-third of any final settlement or court award. In the end, they have to wait for the remainder of the money to be deposited before they are able to pay for their bills and expenses.