How Long Does It Take to File an 18 Wheeler Lawsuit?
If you are 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 obtain the best settlement possible. A truck crash case can take between three months to two years to settle.
Determining fault in these kinds of accidents can be challenging and multiple parties could be responsible for the damages. An experienced lawyer will be able identify all responsible parties and make claims against them.
18 wheeler accident attorney apple valley of the significantly greater weight and size of a commercial truck compared to an automobile the accidents that involve 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks can cause severe, and even life-threatening injuries. They also usually cause much more substantial damage to property and vehicles. In this way, the amount of damages paid out in 18 wheeler crash settlements and jury awards are often substantially higher than those awarded in a typical motor vehicle accident.
In many cases, multiple parties are responsible for a crash involving an 18-wheeler. Truck drivers are typically the primary cause of accidents, as they are negligent. The trucking company they work for could also be held accountable if it does not provide adequate training or equipment to their drivers. The trucking company could also be liable if they encourage or rewards its drivers to break federal regulations on hours of service. Finally, the manufacturer of the truck or its components can be held liable for an auto defect that results in an accident.
It is important to identify the parties responsible for the accident in order to obtain a fair and full settlement. A skilled 18 wheeler lawyer will investigate your case to determine the person responsible for your accident and be fully prepared to pursue compensation from each party responsible. Attorneys can pursue non-economic damages such as pain and discomfort in addition to financial losses.
Liability
The cases involving truck accidents can be more complicated than car accident claims. Various parties can be held responsible for the occurrence, including the truck driver as well as the trucking company and the vehicle manufacturer. In addition, the trucking industry has incentives that can lead trucks to be reckless in their driving and even skip sleep to make deliveries on time.
These elements can influence how long it takes to settle a case involving an accident. The injuries suffered by the plaintiff also have an impact on how long it will take to receive compensation. The severity of injuries can result in an amount of settlement that is higher than minor injuries.
In addition, the trucking firm's insurance provider will attempt to reduce their liability by reducing the amount of the claim. Therefore, it is important to find a truck accident lawyer immediately. They will be able to fight these tactics to ensure that you get the settlement you deserve.
Additional documents, such as the black box data and bill of lading, could also help determine who is responsible for the truck accident. These documents may prove that the driver of the truck was driving recklessly. They can also be used to determine if there was any involvement by the trucking company in the incident. If the truck manufacturer was operating a vehicle that was defective, they may be responsible for the accident.
Statute of limitations
The statute of limitation determines the period of time that you are able to make a claim after an automobile accident. This period varies by state and is based on the type of accident you were involved in. In general, you have four years to file an action for personal injury, and two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. A seasoned attorney can assist you in the process and determine whether you have an opportunity to pursue a claim.
Your personal injury lawyer will investigate the scene of the accident, speak with witnesses, and review medical records, driver logbooks maintenance and employee records to find out who was at fault for the crash. This could take some time, so it's important to begin this work immediately to safeguard the evidence.
The trucking company and their insurance company will fight to avoid paying you the compensation you deserve. They may also try and exaggerate or minimize the extent of your injuries. If they are successful, this can delay the settlement of your claim. You could be waiting longer than a year to receive your settlement.
Your lawyer can make sure that the statute of limitation doesn't expire until you have settled your claim or taken the matter to court. There are certain circumstances which can extend the time limit, for example the fact that you are a minor or suffer from a mental handicap.
Timeline
In the United States, there are thousands of semi-truck accidents every year that result in severe injuries and death. These incidents are big business for the law firms that specialize in handling these. Settlements in 18-wheeler collision cases can be in the millions or billions of dollars.
Due to the nature of trucking accidents, an exhaustive investigation has to be conducted in order to properly determine the responsibility and damages. This process can take several months to complete. In addition, if the case involves multiple parties, it could take longer for them to agree on liability and damages.
It's important that an experienced trucking accident attorney is in place early on to ensure that your best interests are protected. A lawyer can assist in determining the best amount of compensation you deserve. They can also ensure that the insurance company doesn't try to settle your claim in a hurry and is able to offer a fair price.
Attorneys usually work on a contingent fee basis. They do not get paid until the case is won. They generally receive around one-third of the final settlement or the court's award. Therefore, they must wait for the rest of the money to be received before they can pay their bills and expenses.