How Long Does It Take to File an 18 Wheeler Lawsuit?
If you've been involved in a crash involving an 18 wheeler you'll need a personal injury attorney that knows the law regarding trucking and can assist you in obtaining the best possible settlement. It could take anything from three months to a couple of years to settle a truck accident case.
Many parties could be accountable for the damages you suffer. Finding out who is at fault in these types of accidents can be a challenge. An experienced lawyer can identify all responsible parties and make claims against each one of them.
Damages
Because of the much greater weight and dimensions of a truck as compared to the size of a car, accidents involving 18-wheelers and 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. The damages paid out in 18 wheeler crash settlements and jury awards are often significantly higher than those of a normal motor vehicle crash.
There are many parties that could be responsible for the cause of an 18-wheeler crash. Truck drivers are usually the main cause of accidents because they are liable. The trucking company they work for may also be held liable if it does not provide adequate training or equipment to its drivers. Additionally, the trucking firm can be held liable for incentivizing or encouraging their drivers to overstep federal hours-of-service regulations. The truck's manufacturer, or its parts, can also be held responsible if an auto defect causes an accident.
It is vital to identify all parties who are responsible for the accident in order to obtain a fair and full settlement. A skilled attorney for 18-wheelers will examine your case to determine the person responsible for your crash and then be prepared to pursue compensation from each party responsible. In addition to seeking financial losses, your lawyer can also pursue non-economic damages, such as suffering and pain.
Liability
The cases involving truck accidents are more complex than normal car accident claims. There are many parties that can be held responsible for the accident, including the driver of the truck as well as the trucking company and the car manufacturer. The trucking industry has incentives that can cause trucks to speed recklessly and even miss sleep to make deliveries on time.
These factors can increase the time it takes to settle a case involving an accident. Personal injuries to the plaintiff can impact the length of time it takes to get compensation. Serious injuries typically result in higher settlement amounts, as opposed to minor injuries which may result in a lower settlement.
Moreover, the trucking company's insurance company will attempt to minimize their liability by reducing the value of the claim. This is why it's important to hire an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as you can. They will be able to fight these intimidation tactics to ensure that you receive the money you are entitled to.
Additionally, additional documents such as the bill of lading as well as black box data can be used to determine who is accountable for the truck crash. These documents could indicate that the driver of the truck was reckless in his driving. They can also be used to determine if there was any involvement by the trucking company in the accident. The truck manufacturer could be accountable for the crash in the event of a defective product.
Statute of limitations
The statute of limitation sets the period of time that you are able to make a claim after an auto accident. The length of time can differ by state and is contingent on the type of accident you've been involved in. You are given a general four-year window to file an injury lawsuit, and a two-year window to file a wrongful deaths suit. A knowledgeable attorney can help you navigate the process and determine if you have an action.
Your personal injury lawyer will look over the scene of the accident, talk to witnesses, and review medical records, driver logbooks, maintenance and employee records to determine who was responsible for the accident. This can take some time therefore it is important to start this process as soon as you can to preserve the evidence.
The trucking company and their insurance company will fight to stop paying you the compensation you deserve. They may also attempt to reduce or exaggerate the severity of the extent of your injuries. If they succeed this could delay the settlement of your claim, and you could be left waiting for a settlement for more than a year following your accident.
Your lawyer will ensure that the statute of limitations will not expire before you are in a position to settle your case or bring it to trial. There are a few circumstances that may be able to override the time limit, for example the fact that you are a minor or suffer from mental impairment.
Timeline
In the United States, there are thousands of semi truck accidents every year that result in severe injuries and death. These accidents are a major business for the law firms that specialize in handling them. Settlements reached in 18 wheeler accident cases have been in the millions of dollars and oftentimes even billions.
Due to the nature of trucking accidents an exhaustive investigation has to be carried out to determine the responsibility and damages. This process can take up to several months. If there are multiple parties involved, it may take longer to reach an agreement on liability and damages.
To protect your interests it is vital to have a skilled trucking accident lawyer in your corner early in the process. An attorney can help determine the amount of amount of compensation you're entitled to. 18 wheeler accident attorney sugar land can also ensure that the insurance company doesn't attempt to settle your claim fast and is providing an acceptable price.
Attorneys usually work on a contingent fee basis. This means that they won't be paid unless they are successful in the case. They generally receive around 1/3 of the final settlement or the court's award. As a result, they have to wait for the remainder of the money to arrive before they are able to pay their bills and expenses.