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

If you are involved in an accident with an 18 wheeler accident-wheeler, then you'll need a personal attorney who is familiar with trucking laws and can assist you to achieve the highest settlement possible. It could take anywhere from three months to a couple of years to settle a truck crash case.

The process of determining fault in these incidents can be a challenge and several parties could be liable for your damages. An experienced lawyer can identify the parties responsible and seek claims against each of them.

Damages

Because of the much greater weight and size of a truck than passengers, accidents involving 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks can cause severe, and even life-threatening injuries. These accidents are also more likely to cause extensive damage to property and vehicles. Therefore, the damages awarded in 18 wheeler accident settlements and jury awards are typically significantly greater than those in a typical motor vehicle accident.

In many cases, multiple parties are accountable for an 18-wheeler accident. Truck drivers are usually the primary cause of accidents, as they are negligent. However, the company they work for could be held responsible when they fail to adequately educate their drivers or provide them with the proper equipment. Additionally, the trucking firm can be held liable for encouraging or enticing their drivers to exceed federal hours-of-service regulations. The truck's manufacturer or its components can also be held responsible if an auto defect causes an accident.

It is crucial to determine all parties who are responsible for the accident in order to negotiate an honest and complete settlement. An experienced 18 wheeler lawyer will examine your case to determine who is responsible for your accident and be prepared to pursue settlement from each party accountable. Your lawyer can seek damages that are not economic, such as pain and discomfort as well as financial losses.

Liability

The legal process for truck accidents is much more complex than car accident claims. Many parties could be held responsible for the accident, including the truck driver as well as the trucking company and the vehicle manufacturer. Additionally, the trucking industry has incentives that can lead trucks to drive recklessly and even skip sleep in order to make deliveries on time.

These factors can affect the time needed to settle a truck crash claim. The injuries of the plaintiff also have an impact on how long it will take to get compensation. Injuries that are severe can result in an amount of settlement that is higher than minor injuries.

The insurance provider of the trucking company will attempt to reduce its liability by reducing the amount of the claim. Therefore, it is crucial to get a truck crash lawyer as soon as you can. They will fight back against these tactics of intimidation to make sure that you get the settlement that you deserve.

Additional documents, like the black box data as well as the bill of lading, can assist in determining who was at fault for the truck crash. These documents can show that the truck driver was driving recklessly and will help determine if the trucking company had any involvement in the accident. The truck manufacturer could be liable for the accident in the event of a defective product.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitation determines the time period within which you are able to start a lawsuit following an auto accident. The statute of limitations varies state-to-state and also depends on the kind of accident you were in. You have a four-year time frame to file an injury lawsuit, and a two-year window to file a wrongful death suit. An experienced attorney will help you navigate the process and determine if you have an outstanding case.

Your personal injury lawyer will investigate the scene of the accident and interview witnesses, as well as review medical records. They will also review the logbooks of employees, driver logbooks and maintenance records in order to determine who is at fault. This can take a considerable amount of time, and it is important to start this work as soon as possible to preserve evidence.

The trucking company, and their insurance company will do all they can to stop paying the amount you are due. They may also attempt to reduce or exaggerate the severity of your injuries. If they succeed, this can delay the settlement of your claim. You could wait longer than a year to receive your settlement.

Your lawyer will make sure that the statute of limitations will not expire before you are able to settle your claim or bring it to trial. There are some circumstances which can extend the statute of limitations, such as the fact that you are a minor or suffer from mental impairment.

Timeline

In the United States, there are hundreds of thousands of semi truck accidents each year that cause fatal injuries and even death. These accidents are huge business for law firms that specialize in handling these. Settlements in 18-wheeler accident cases can reach millions and even billions of dollars.

An extensive investigation is necessary due to the nature and severity of trucking accidents. This process can take up to several months. If there are multiple parties involved, it may take longer to reach an agreement on the liability and damages.

It is essential that a seasoned trucking accident attorney is onboard early on to ensure that your interests are being protected. A lawyer can assist with determining the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. They can also ensure that the insurance company doesn't try to settle your claim fast and is offering a fair price.

Attorneys typically work on a contingent fee. This means that they don't get paid unless they win the case. They are paid about one-third of any final settlement or court award. They have to wait until the remainder of their money is received before they can pay for their bills and expenses.