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

If you are involved in an accident involving an 18-wheeler vehicle, you'll require a lawyer who is knowledgeable of trucking laws and can assist you to achieve the highest settlement possible. It can take between three months and a couple of years to settle a truck accident case.

There could be multiple parties responsible for your injuries. Finding out who was at fault for these types of accidents can be a challenge. An experienced attorney will be able to determine the parties responsible and take legal action against them.

Damages

Because of the significantly greater weight and size of a commercial truck compared to an automobile accidents involving 18-wheelers as well as other commercial trucks of this size often result in serious, and sometimes life-threatening injuries. These accidents can also cause much more significant destruction to vehicles and property. Because of this, the damages that juries and settlements award in 18 wheeler crashes are usually significantly higher than those awarded for a normal motor vehicle accident.

In many cases, multiple parties are responsible for an 18-wheeler collision. These can include the truck driver and his negligence is typically the primary cause of these accidents. The trucking company they work for could be held accountable if the company fails to provide proper training or equipment to its drivers. The trucking company may also be liable if it encourages or rewards its drivers to break federal regulations on hours of service. The manufacturer of the truck, or its parts, is also liable for auto defects that cause an accident.

It is important to identify all parties who are responsible for the accident in order to secure an equitable and complete settlement. A knowledgeable attorney for 18-wheelers will review the case to determine who is responsible for your accident and will be prepared to seek compensation from each party responsible. Your lawyer can seek damages that are not economic, such as discomfort and pain as well as financial losses.

Liability

The cases involving truck accidents can be much more complex than claims for car accidents. Many parties could be held accountable for the incident, including the truck driver as well as the trucking firm and the vehicle manufacturer. The trucking industry has incentives that can cause trucks to be reckless and even to sleep in order to make quick deliveries.


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These elements can influence the time it takes to settle an accident claim. Injuries to the plaintiff can influence how long it takes to get compensation. Severe injuries often lead to larger settlement amounts in comparison to minor injuries that may only result in a lower settlement.

Furthermore, the trucking company's insurance company will try to minimize their responsibility by reducing the amount of the claim. Therefore, it is important to get a truck crash lawyer as soon as you can. They will be able to counter these intimidating tactics to get you the compensation you deserve.

Additional documents, such as the black box data as well as the bill of lading can aid in determining who is responsible for the accident on the truck. These documents could prove that the truck driver was reckless and can aid in determining whether the trucking firm had any involvement in the crash. The truck manufacturer could be liable for the accident if they had a defective product.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitations determines the time frame you must start a lawsuit in the event of the cause of a crash. The length of time can differ by state and is dependent on the type of accident you were involved in. There is a four-year period for filing a personal injury lawsuit and a two year timeframe to file a wrongful-death suit. A knowledgeable attorney can help you navigate the process and determine if you have a case.

Your personal injury lawyer will look over the scene of your accident, question witnesses, and scrutinize medical documents, driver logbooks, maintenance and employee records to determine who was responsible for the accident. This may take a while, so it's important to begin this process immediately to safeguard the evidence.

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

18 wheeler accident attorney wichita will be able to make sure that the time limit does not expire before you're allowed to settle your claim or even go to trial. There are some circumstances which can extend the statute of limitations, including the fact that you are a minor or have mental impairment.

Timeline

In the United States, there are hundreds of thousands of semi truck accidents each year that cause devastating injuries and deaths. 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.

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

It is vital that a skilled trucking accident attorney is onboard early on to ensure that your best interests are being safeguarded. A lawyer can assist you in determining the highest amount of compensation you deserve. They can also ensure that the insurance company is not trying to settle your claim quickly and they are providing an appropriate amount.

Attorneys usually operate on a basis of contingent fees. They do not get paid until the case is won. They usually get around 1/3 of the final settlement or court award. They must therefore wait until the rest of their money is available before they can pay for their bills and expenses.