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 knowledgeable of trucking laws and can assist you to get the most favorable settlement. A truck accident case could take anywhere from three months and two years to settle.
Finding out who is responsible for these incidents can be a challenge and several parties could be liable for your damages. An experienced attorney can identify all responsible parties and seek claims against each of them.
Damages
Because of the significantly greater weight and dimensions of a truck as compared to passengers accidents involving kronenwetter 18 wheeler Accident attorney-wheelers as well as other commercial trucks that are large can cause severe, and even life-threatening injuries. They also usually cause more extensive damage to property and vehicles. Therefore, the damages awarded in golden valley 18 wheeler accident law firm wheeler accident settlements and jury awards are usually significantly greater than those in a typical motor vehicle accident.
Sometimes, several parties can be accountable for an 18-wheeler collision. These can include the driver of the truck who’s negligence is typically the primary cause of these accidents. The trucking company that is employed by them could be held liable if it fails to provide proper training or equipment to its drivers. Additionally, the trucking company can be held accountable if they encourage or incentivize their drivers to overstep the federal regulations on hours of service. Finally, the manufacturer of the truck or its parts can be held liable for an auto defect which causes an accident.
Finding all the responsible parties is crucial to securing an honest and complete settlement. A competent attorney for 18-wheelers will investigate the incident to determine which party is accountable for your accident and be prepared to pursue compensation from each responsible party. In addition to seeking financial losses, your attorney can also pursue damages not monetary, such as pain and suffering.
Liability
The cases involving truck accidents can be more complicated than claims for car accidents. The truck driver, the trucking company and vehicle manufacturer can all be held responsible for the consequences of an accident. The trucking industry also offers incentives that may encourage trucks to drive recklessly or even skip sleep in order to make deliveries quickly.
These factors can impact the time it takes to settle a lawsuit. The injuries of the plaintiff also affect the time it takes to receive compensation. Severe injuries often lead to larger settlement amounts and less than minor injuries that might result in a lower settlement.
The insurance provider of the trucking firm will try to limit its liability by reducing the amount of the claim. This is why it is important to hire an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as you can. They will fight against these tactics of intimidation to make sure that you get the compensation that you deserve.
Additional documents, like the black box data and bill of lading, can also help determine who is responsible for the accident on the truck. These documents may prove that the driver of the truck was driving recklessly and will aid in determining whether the trucking company was involved in any involvement in the crash. If the truck manufacturer was operating a defective 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 start a lawsuit following an auto accident. This timeframe varies from state to state and is determined by the type of accident you’ve been involved in. There is a four-year period to file a personal injury suit and a two year timeframe for filing a wrongful death suit. A seasoned attorney will assist you through the process and determine if you have an issue.
Your personal injury lawyer will examine the site of your accident, talk to witnesses, and examine medical records, driver logbooks, maintenance and employee records to find out who was responsible for the accident. This can take a considerable amount of time and it is important to begin this work as quickly as you can to ensure the integrity of evidence.
The trucking company and their insurance company will fight to stop paying you the compensation you deserve. They may also try and minimize or exaggerate your injuries. If they are successful this could delay the settling of your claim. In the end, you could be waiting for a settlement for more than a year after your crash.
Your lawyer will be able to make sure that the statute of limitations will not expire before you’re able to settle your claim or go to trial. There are some circumstances that may be able to override the statute of limitations, including the fact that you are a minor or suffer from mental impairment.
Timeline
Tens of thousands of semi-truck accidents happen in the United States each year, leading to fatal injuries or even death. Law firms that focus in these cases earn a lot of money. The settlements reached in 18 wheeler accident cases 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 a few months to be completed. If there are multiple parties involved, it could take longer to reach an agreement on the amount of damages and liability.
To safeguard your rights it is vital to have a seasoned trucking accident lawyer available early in the process. A lawyer can assist you with determining the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. They can also make sure that the insurance company does not attempt to settle your claim fast and is providing an acceptable price.
Attorneys typically work on a basis of contingent fees. This means that they won’t be paid until they prevail in the case. They typically receive about a third of the final settlement or court award. They must therefore wait until the remainder of their money arrives before they can pay their expenses and bills.