How Long Does It Take to File an 18 Wheeler Lawsuit?
If you're involved in an accident with a 18-wheeler, you will require a lawyer who is well-versed in trucking laws and can assist you to achieve the highest settlement possible. It can take between three months and several years to settle a truck accident case.
Multiple parties may be responsible for your losses. The process of determining who is responsible for these types of accidents can be a challenge. A knowledgeable attorney can determine the responsible parties and assert claims against each of them.
Damages
Accidents involving 18-wheelers or other large commercial trucks could cause serious, life-threatening injuries. This is due to the weight and size of a truck being more than a typical passenger car. These accidents are also more likely to cause significant damage to property and vehicles. Due to this, damages paid out by juries as well as settlements in 18 wheeler crashes are usually significantly higher than those given for a normal motor vehicle accident.
Sometimes, several parties can be at fault for an 18-wheeler accident. It could be the truck driver who's negligence is typically the leading cause of these accidents. However, the company they work for could be held accountable when they fail to adequately train their drivers or provide them with proper equipment. The trucking company may also be held accountable if they encourage or rewards its drivers to break federal regulations regarding hours of service. Finally, the manufacturer of the truck or its components is liable when there is an auto defect which causes an accident.
It is crucial to determine all parties responsible for the accident in order to get a fair and full settlement. A skilled attorney for 18 wheelers will review your case to determine who is responsible for causing the accident, and will be prepared to pursue the compensation of each party responsible. In addition to seeking financial losses, your attorney can also pursue non-economic damages like suffering and pain.
Liability
Truck accident cases can be much more complex than car accident claims. The truck driver, the trucking company, and even the manufacturer of the vehicle can all be held responsible for the consequences of an accident. In addition, the trucking industry offers incentives that can lead trucks to be reckless and even sleepless to make deliveries quickly.
These factors can increase the time it takes to settle a lawsuit. The injuries suffered by the plaintiff also affect the length of time it will take to get compensation. For serious injuries, it is possible to receive more money in settlements than minor injuries.
The insurance provider of the trucking company will also try to limit its liability by reducing the amount of the claim. Therefore, it is crucial to contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. They will fight back against these intimidation tactics to ensure that you get the settlement you are entitled to.
Furthermore, supplementary documents such as the bill of delivery and black box data can help determine the party responsible for the truck accident. These documents could prove that the driver of the truck was reckless and will aid in determining if the trucking company had any involvement in the accident. If the truck manufacturer manufactured an unsafe vehicle, they may be responsible for the accident.
Statute of limitations
The statute of limitations determines the period of time that you are able to bring a lawsuit following an automobile accident. The statute of limitations varies state-to-state and depends on the type of accident that you were involved in. In general there are four years to bring 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 if you're eligible for a case.
Your personal injury attorney will examine the accident scene and interview witnesses. They will also review medical records. They will also examine the logbooks of employees, driver logbooks and maintenance records in order to determine who was responsible for the accident. This can take some time and it's crucial to begin the process immediately to safeguard the evidence.
The trucking company and their insurance company, will do everything they can to delay paying what you deserved. They might also try to minimize your injuries, or even exaggerate them. If they succeed, it can delay the settling of your claim. If they succeed, you may be waiting for a settlement for a full year after your crash.
Your lawyer can ensure that the time limit does not expire before you're in a position to settle your case or even go to trial. There are some circumstances that could extend the statute of limitations, such as the fact that you are a minor or have mental impairment.
Timeline
Tens of thousands of semi-truck accidents happen in the United States each year, causing debilitating injuries or death. The law firms that specialize on these incidents make huge sums of money. Settlements for 18-wheeler accident cases can reach millions and even billions of dollars.
18 wheeler accident law firm muncie to the nature of trucking accidents it is essential to conduct a thorough investigation completed to determine the responsibility and damages. This process can take a few months to complete. If there are multiple parties involved, it may take longer to reach an agreement on the amount of damages and liability.
It is essential that a seasoned trucking accident lawyer is involved early in the process to ensure that your best interests are protected. A lawyer can assist you in determining what amount of compensation you're entitled. They can also make sure that the insurance company doesn't attempt to settle your claim as quickly as possible and offers an affordable price.
Attorneys generally are paid on a contingency basis. They are not paid until the case is won. They usually get around a third of the final settlement or the court's award. They must therefore wait until the remainder of their money arrives before they can pay their expenses and bills.