How Long Does It Take to File an 18 Wheeler Lawsuit?
If you've been involved in a crash with an 18 wheeler You need an injury lawyer who knows the law of trucking and can help you obtain the highest possible settlement. A truck crash case can take between three months and two years to settle.
Finding out who is responsible for these types of accidents can be difficult and several parties could be responsible for the damages. An experienced lawyer can pinpoint the responsible parties and pursue claims against each of them.
Damages
Due to the higher weight and size of a truck than passengers accident involving 18-wheelers or other large commercial trucks often result in serious, even life-threatening injuries. These accidents are also more likely to cause significant damage to property and vehicles. In this way, the amount of damages given in 18-wheeler accident settlements and jury awards tend to be significantly greater than those in the typical motor vehicle crash.
In most cases, multiple parties could be responsible for the cause of an 18-wheeler collision. It could be the driver of the truck who's negligence is typically the leading cause of these accidents. The trucking company they work for could also be held liable if it is unable to provide the proper training or equipment to their drivers. The trucking company might also be liable if they encourage or rewards their drivers to break the federal laws regarding hours of service. The manufacturer of the truck, or its parts, could also be held accountable in the event that an auto defect leads to an accident.
Identifying all the liable parties is essential to ensure an honest and complete settlement. A competent attorney for 18-wheelers will investigate the incident to determine which party is responsible for your accident and be ready to seek compensation from each party responsible. In 18 wheeler accident claim north dakota to pursuing financial losses, your attorney may also pursue damages that are not economic like pain and suffering.
Liability
Truck accident cases are more complex than normal 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 has incentives that could cause trucks to be reckless in their driving and even miss sleep to deliver deliveries quickly.
These factors can prolong the time needed to settle a truck crash claim. The injuries of the plaintiff also influence how long it takes to receive compensation. Serious injuries can lead to an amount of settlement that is higher than minor injuries.
Moreover, the trucking company's insurance company will try to limit their 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 take on these intimidation tactics to ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve.
Additional documents, such as the black box's data and bill of lading can also help determine who is responsible for the accident on the truck. These documents can prove that the driver of the truck was reckless and also aid in determining whether the trucking company was involved in any involvement in the accident. The truck manufacturer may also be responsible for the accident in the event that they manufactured a defective product.
Statute of limitations
The statute of limitation determines the time frame you must start a lawsuit in the event of an accident. The time frame varies by state and is contingent on the kind of accident you were involved in. In general you will have up to four years to bring an injury claim for personal injury, and two years to file a wrongful-death suit. A seasoned attorney will guide you through the process and determine whether you have a case.
The personal injury lawyer you hire will review the scene of the accident, interview witnesses and review medical records. They will also look over driver logbooks, employee records and maintenance records in order to determine who was responsible for the accident. This can take some time, so it's important to start this process as soon possible to preserve the evidence.
The trucking company and their insurance provider will fight to stop paying you what you are due. They may also try and overstate or minimize the severity of the extent of your injuries. If they are successful this could delay the settlement of your claim. You could wait for more than a year for your settlement.
Your lawyer can make sure that the statute of limitations does not expire until you have settled your claim or brought it to court. Some circumstances can override the statute of limitations like if you are an adult and suffer from mental disabilities.
Timeline
Tens of thousands semi truck accidents occur in the United States each year, leading to fatal injuries or even death. These incidents are a huge business for the law firms that specialize in handling them. Settlements reached in 18 wheeler accidents have been in the millions of dollars and often, billions of dollars.
A thorough investigation is required due to the nature and severity of trucking accidents. This process can take several months. If there are multiple parties involved, it may take longer to reach an agreement on the amount of damages and liability.
It is vital that a skilled trucking accident lawyer is present early on to ensure that your interests are being protected. An attorney can assist with determining the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled. They can also ensure that the insurance company is not trying to pay your claim too fast and also that they offer an appropriate amount.
Attorneys usually are paid on a contingency basis. They do not get paid until the case is won. They receive about a third of any final settlement or court decision. Therefore, they have to wait for the rest of the money to come in before they can pay their bills or expenses.