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 get the most favorable settlement. A truck accident case can take anywhere between three months and two years to settle.
Determining fault in these kinds of accidents can be challenging and a variety of parties could be responsible for your injuries. An experienced attorney can identify the parties responsible and make claims against each one of them.
Damages
Accidents involving 18-wheelers as well as other large commercial trucks could cause serious, and even life-threatening injuries. This is due to the weight and size of a truck being bigger than a standard passenger car. They also usually cause much more substantial destruction to vehicles and property. Due to this, the amount of damages awarded by juries and settlements in 18 wheeler accidents tend to be much greater than those given for a normal motor vehicle accident.
Sometimes, several parties can be responsible for causing an 18-wheeler crash. Truck drivers are typically the main cause of accidents because they are liable. However, the company they work for can be held accountable if they fail to properly train their drivers or provide them with proper equipment. In addition, the trucking company could be held accountable for incentivizing or encouraging their drivers to overstep federal hours-of-service regulations. The manufacturer of the truck, or its parts, could also be held accountable when an auto defect causes an accident.
Recognizing all parties responsible is essential to secure a full and fair settlement. A knowledgeable attorney for 18-wheelers will examine the case to determine which party is accountable for your accident and be ready to pursue compensation from each party responsible. In addition to seeking financial losses, your lawyer can also pursue non-economic damages like suffering and pain.
Liability
Accidents involving trucks can be more complicated than car accident claims. The truck driver, the trucking company, and the vehicle manufacturer can all be held responsible for an accident. The trucking industry has incentives that can cause trucks to drive recklessly or even to sleep in order to deliver their goods quickly.
These factors can affect how long it takes to settle a claim for an accident. Injury to the plaintiff may influence how long it takes to get compensation. Serious injuries typically result in higher settlement amounts and less than minor injuries that might result in a lower settlement.
The insurance provider of the trucking company may also attempt to reduce its liability by reducing the value of the claim. This is why it is important to engage an experienced truck accident lawyer as quickly as possible. They will be able to fight these tactics to ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve.
Additional documents such as the bill of lading or black box data can be used to determine who is accountable for the truck crash. These documents may show 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 in the accident. If the truck manufacturer manufactured a defective vehicle, they may be responsible for the crash.
Statute of limitations
The statute of limitations determines the time period within which you are able to file a lawsuit after an automobile accident. The time frame varies by state and is based on the type of accident you were involved in. You have a general four-year time frame to file an injury claim, and a two-year window to file a wrongful death suit. An experienced attorney can guide you through the process and determine whether you have a claim.
Your personal injury lawyer will look over the scene of the accident, question witnesses, and review medical records, driver logbooks employee files, and maintenance records to determine who was responsible for the accident. This could take a significant amount of time and it is important to begin this work as quickly as you can in order to secure evidence.
The trucking company and their insurance company will fight to avoid paying you what you are due. They might also attempt to minimize your injuries or even exaggerate the severity of your injuries. If they are successful, it can delay the settling of your claim. In the end, you could be waiting for your settlement for more than a year following the crash.
Your lawyer will make sure that the statute of limitations will not expire before you are able to settle your claim or go to trial. There are some circumstances that can overcome the statute of limitations, including the fact that you are a minor or suffer from mental impairment.
18 wheeler accident lawsuit medford of thousands of semi-truck accidents occur in the United States each year, causing debilitating injuries or death. The law firms that specialize on these incidents make huge sums of money. Settlements in 18-wheeler accidents can reach millions and even billions of dollars.
Due to the nature of trucking accidents, it is essential to conduct a thorough investigation done to determine the responsibility and damages. The process can take several months to complete. If there are multiple parties involved, it can take longer to reach an agreement on the liability and damages.
It's important that an experienced trucking accident attorney is onboard at the beginning of the process to ensure that your best interests are being protected. A lawyer can assist you in determining what 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 is able to offer an affordable price.
Attorneys usually work on a basis of contingent fees. This means that they won't be paid unless they are successful in the case. They are paid about a third of any final settlement or court decision. Therefore, they have to wait for the rest of the money to be deposited before they can pay their bills or expenses.