A Brief History Of How Long Does 18-Wheeler Lawsuit Take History Of How Long Does 18-Wheeler Lawsuit Take
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 well-versed in trucking laws and can assist you to find the best settlement. It can take anywhere from three months to several years to settle a truck crash case.
Determining fault in these incidents can be a challenge, and multiple parties may be liable for your damages. An experienced attorney will be able to identify the parties responsible and take legal action against them.
Damages
Accidents involving 18-wheelers or large commercial trucks can result in serious, life-threatening injuries. This is due to the weight and size of a commercial truck being more than a typical passenger car. They also usually cause much more substantial damage to property and vehicles. Therefore, the damages that are awarded in 18 wheeler accidents settlements and jury awards are usually significantly higher than those of an ordinary motor vehicle crash.
Often, several parties may be responsible for causing an 18-wheeler crash. Truck drivers are usually the main cause of accidents because they are negligent. However, the company they work for could be held responsible in the event they fail to educate their drivers or provide them with the proper equipment. The trucking company may also be held accountable if they encourage or rewards their drivers to violate the federal rules regarding hours of service. Additionally, the manufacturer of the truck or its parts is liable for an auto defect that leads to an accident.
Identifying all the liable parties is vital to securing an honest and complete settlement. A skilled 18 wheeler lawyer will review your case to determine who is responsible for your crash and then be fully prepared to seek compensation from each party responsible. In addition to seeking financial losses, your lawyer can also pursue non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Liability
Truck accident cases are much more complex than typical car accident claims. The truck driver, the trucking company, and the vehicle manufacturer can all be held accountable for the consequences of an accident. The trucking industry also provides incentives which can encourage trucks to drive recklessly or even to sleep in order to speed up deliveries.
These factors can prolong the amount of time it takes to settle a truck crash claim. Personal injuries to the plaintiff can influence 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 could result in a smaller settlement.
The insurance provider of the trucking company may also try to limit its liability by reducing the value of the claim. Therefore, it is crucial to get a truck crash lawyer as soon as you can. They will be able to fight these tactics of intimidation to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Additionally, additional documents such as the bill of delivery and black box data can be used to determine who is responsible for the truck crash. These documents may prove that the truck driver was driving recklessly and can help determine whether the trucking firm had any involvement in the crash. If the truck manufacturer had an unreliable vehicle and was responsible for the crash.
Statute of limitations
The statute of limitations defines how long you have to file a lawsuit for the cause of a crash. This timeframe varies from state to state and is based on the type of accident you've been involved in. In general you have four years to bring an injury claim for personal injury, 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.
Your personal injury lawyer will investigate the scene of the accident, talk to witnesses, and look over medical records, driver logbooks, maintenance and employee records to find out who was responsible for the accident. This can take some time, so it's important to begin this process promptly to protect the evidence.
The trucking company and their insurance company will fight to deny you what you deserve. They may also attempt to downplay your injuries or even exaggerate the severity of your injuries. If they succeed, this can delay the settlement of your claim. You could wait more than a whole year for your settlement.
Your lawyer can ensure that the statute of limitations does not expire before you're allowed to settle your claim or bring it to trial. Certain circumstances may extend the statute of limitation in certain situations, for example, being a minor and have an intellectual disability.
Timeline
In the United States, there are tens of thousands of semi truck accidents each year that result in devastating injuries and deaths. These accidents are a major business for law firms who specialize in handling them. Settlements in 18-wheeler accidents can reach millions and even billions of dollars.
18 wheeler accident lawyer billings to the nature of trucking accidents, a thorough investigation must be completed to determine the liability and damages. This process can take several months to complete. If there are multiple parties involved, it could take longer to reach an agreement on liability and damages.
To protect your rights it is vital to have a skilled trucking accident lawyer on your side at the beginning of the process. A lawyer can assist you determine the maximum compensation you deserve. They can also ensure that the insurance company is not trying to pay your claim too fast and that they are offering an amount that is fair.
Lawyers typically work on a contingency basis. They are not paid until the case is won. They usually receive around 1/3 of the final settlement or the court's award. They have to wait until the remainder of their money is available before they can settle their bills and expenses.