Your Worst Nightmare About How Long Does 18-Wheeler Lawsuit Take Get Real
How Long Does It Take to File an 18 Wheeler Lawsuit?
If you're involved in an accident involving an 18-wheeler, then you'll need a personal attorney who is well-versed in trucking laws and can help you find the best settlement. A truck accident case could take between three months and two years to settle.
Determining fault in these accidents can be complicated and multiple parties could be responsible for your losses. An experienced attorney can identify the parties responsible and take legal action against them.
Damages
Due to the higher weight and size of a commercial truck compared to an automobile, accidents involving 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks that are large can result in serious, even life-threatening injuries. They also usually cause more extensive destruction to vehicles and property. This is why the damages awarded by juries and settlements in 18 wheeler crashes are usually much greater than those given for a normal motor vehicle accident.
There are many parties that could be accountable for an 18-wheeler accident. It could be the driver of the truck who's negligence is typically the main cause of these accidents. However, the company they work for can be held liable as well in the event that they fail to properly train their drivers or provide them with proper equipment. The trucking company may also be held accountable if they encourage or rewards its drivers to break federal regulations on hours of service. The manufacturer of the truck or its components could be held accountable in the event of an auto defect which causes an accident.
It is crucial to determine all parties who are responsible for the accident to obtain a fair and full settlement. A knowledgeable attorney for 18-wheelers will investigate the case to determine who is accountable for your accident and be prepared to seek compensation from each responsible party. In addition to seeking financial losses, your attorney can also pursue non-economic damages like suffering and pain.
Liability
The cases involving truck accidents can be more complicated than car accident claims. The truck driver, the trucking company and vehicle manufacturer could all be held accountable for an accident. The trucking industry has incentives that could cause trucks to be reckless in their driving and even skip sleep in order to make deliveries on time.
These elements can influence the time it takes to settle an accident claim. Personal injuries to the plaintiff can also affect how long it takes to receive compensation. In the case of severe injuries, they often result in higher settlement amounts as opposed to minor injuries that might result in a smaller settlement.
The insurance company of the trucking company may also try to minimize its liability by reducing the amount of the claim. This is why it is important to hire an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as you can. They will be able to fight these tactics to ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve.
Additional documents, like the black box data as well as the bill of lading can also help determine who is responsible for the truck accident. These documents can show that the driver of the truck was reckless and will aid in determining whether the trucking firm had any involvement in the crash. If the manufacturer of the truck had a vehicle that was defective it could be the one responsible for the accident.
Statute of limitations
The statute of limitation determines how long you have to start a lawsuit in the event of the cause of a crash. This period can vary by state and is contingent on the type accident you were involved in. In general there are four years to file a personal injury claim, and two years to file a wrongful-death suit. A knowledgeable attorney can help you navigate the process and determine if you have an issue.
A personal injury lawyer will investigate the scene of the accident and interview witnesses. They will also look over medical records. They will also review driver logbooks, employee records and maintenance records to determine who is at fault. This could take a significant amount of time, so it is essential to begin this work as soon as possible to preserve evidence.
The trucking company and their insurance company will fight to not pay you the amount you deserved. 18 wheeler accident attorney broken arrow might also try to minimize your injuries, or even exaggerate them. If they succeed they could delay the settlement of your claim. In the end, you could be left waiting for your settlement for a full year after the accident.
Your lawyer can ensure that the statute of limitations doesn't expire until you have settled your dispute or brought it to court. There are some circumstances that may be able to override the statute of limitations, including the fact that you are a minor or have mental impairment.
Timeline
In the United States, there are hundreds of thousands of semi truck accidents each year that cause severe injuries and death. These accidents are huge business for the law firms who specialize in handling them. Settlements in 18-wheeler collision cases can reach millions and billions of dollars.
A thorough investigation is required due to the severity and nature of trucking accidents. This process can take several months to be completed. If there are multiple parties involved, it can take longer to reach an agreement on liability and damages.
It is essential that a seasoned trucking accident attorney is onboard early on to ensure that your best interests are being safeguarded. An attorney can help you determine the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. They can also ensure that the insurance company doesn't attempt to settle your claim quickly and offers a fair amount.
Attorneys usually work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they don't get paid unless they succeed in winning the case. They generally receive around 1/3 of the final settlement or the court's award. They must therefore wait until the remainder of their money is available before they can settle their bills and expenses.