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

If you are involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler vehicle, you'll require a lawyer who is knowledgeable of trucking laws and can help you find the best settlement. It could take between three months and a couple of years to settle a truck accident case.

Determining who is at fault in these accidents can be complicated and multiple parties could be liable for your damages. An experienced lawyer can pinpoint the responsible parties and make claims against each one of them.

Damages

Due to the greater weight and dimensions of a truck as compared to passengers accidents involving 18-wheelers as well as other large commercial trucks often result in serious, and sometimes life-threatening injuries. These accidents are also more likely to cause extensive damage to property and vehicles. As such, damages awarded in 18 wheeler accident settlements and jury awards are often significantly higher than those of a normal motor vehicle crash.

Many times, multiple parties are responsible for an 18-wheeler crash. Truck drivers are often the main driver of accidents since they are negligent. The trucking company is employed by them could be held accountable if it is unable to provide the proper training or equipment to their drivers. The trucking company might also be held accountable if they encourage or rewards their drivers to violate federal regulations regarding hours of service. Finally, the manufacturer of the truck or its components could be held accountable if there is an auto defect that leads to an accident.

Recognizing all parties responsible is essential to ensure an honest and complete settlement. A knowledgeable attorney for somerset 18 wheeler accident attorney-wheelers will examine the case to determine who is responsible for your accident and will be prepared to seek compensation from each party responsible. In addition to pursuing financial losses, your attorney can also pursue damages not monetary like suffering and pain.

Liability

Truck accident cases are more complex than normal car accident claims. The truck driver, the trucking company, and even the manufacturer of the vehicle can all be held responsible for an accident. The trucking industry also provides incentives that can cause trucks to drive recklessly or even skip sleeping in order to make deliveries quickly.

These factors can affect the time it takes to settle a lawsuit. Injury to the plaintiff may also affect how long it takes to receive compensation. Serious injuries can lead to more money in settlements than minor injuries.

The insurance provider of the trucking company will also try to minimize its liability by reducing the value of the claim. This is why it is important to engage an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. They will be able to fight these intimidation tactics to ensure that you get the settlement you deserve.

Furthermore, supplementary documents such as the bill of delivery and 18 wheeler accident black box data can be used to determine who is responsible for the truck crash. These documents can prove that the truck driver was reckless and can aid in determining whether the trucking firm had any involvement in the accident. If the truck manufacturer had an unreliable vehicle and was responsible for the crash.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitations defines the period of time that you can start a lawsuit following a car accident. The statute of limitations varies state-to-state and is based on the type of accident that you were involved in. In general there are four years to file an injury claim and two years to file a wrongful-death suit. An experienced attorney will assist you through the process and determine if you're eligible for an opportunity to pursue a claim.

Your personal injury lawyer will review the scene of your accident, interview witnesses, and look over medical records, driver logbooks, maintenance and employee records to determine who was at fault for the crash. This can take a considerable amount of time, and it is important to begin the process as soon as you can in order to secure evidence.

The trucking company, and their insurance company, will do everything they can to avoid paying you what you deserve. They might also attempt to downplay your injuries or even exaggerate them. If they are successful this could delay the settlement of your claim. You could wait longer than a year to receive your settlement.

Your lawyer can make sure that the statute of limitation does not expire until you settle your claim or taken the matter to court. Certain circumstances may be able to override the statute of limitations, such as if you are minor and suffer from an intellectual disability.

Timeline

In the United States, there are hundreds of thousands of semi truck accidents each year that cause fatal injuries and even death. The law firms that specialize in these incidents earn a lot of money. Settlements reached in 18 wheeler accidents have been in the millions of dollars, and oftentimes even billions.

A thorough investigation is essential due to the nature and severity of trucking accidents. This process can take a few months to be completed. If there are multiple parties involved, it might take longer to reach an agreement on the amount of damages and liability.

It's important that an experienced trucking accident lawyer is present early on to ensure that your best interests are protected. An attorney can help determine the highest amount of amount of compensation you're entitled to. They can also make sure that the insurance company isn't trying to resolve your claim too quickly and they are providing a fair value.

Attorneys usually work on a contingency fee basis. They are not paid unless the case is won. They usually get around 1/3 of the final settlement or court award. Therefore, they have to wait for the remainder of the money to arrive before they can pay their bills and expenses.