10 Apps To Help Manage Your How Long Does 18-Wheeler Lawsuit Take
How Long Does It Take to File an 18 Wheeler Lawsuit?
If you've been involved in a crash involving an 18 wheeler, you need a personal injury attorney that understands trucking law and can help you obtain the highest possible settlement. It could take between three months and a couple of years to settle a truck accident case.
Finding out who is responsible for these types of accidents can be difficult and multiple parties could be responsible for your injuries. An experienced attorney can identify the responsible parties and assert claims against each of them.
Damages
Due to the greater weight and dimensions of a truck as compared to a passenger vehicle accident involving 18-wheelers or other commercial trucks that are large can cause severe, and even life-threatening injuries. These accidents can also cause much more substantial damage to property and vehicles. This is why the damages awarded by juries and settlements in 18 wheeler accidents are often more than those that are given for a normal motor vehicle accident.
Sometimes, several parties are responsible for a crash involving an 18-wheeler. Truck drivers are usually the primary cause of accidents, as they are negligent. The trucking company that is employed by them could be held liable if it does not provide adequate training or equipment for its drivers. The trucking company might also be held accountable if it encourages or rewards their drivers to break federal regulations regarding 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 responsible for the accident to secure an equitable and complete settlement. A competent attorney for 18-wheelers will examine the case to determine who is accountable for your accident and be prepared to seek compensation from each responsible party. In addition to pursuing financial losses, your attorney may also pursue other damages, such as suffering and pain.
Liability
Truck accident cases are more complicated than standard car accident claims. The truck driver, the trucking company and vehicle manufacturer can all be held responsible for the consequences of an accident. The trucking industry also provides incentives that could encourage trucks to be reckless and even skip sleep to make quick deliveries.
These elements can impact the time needed to settle a truck crash claim. The injuries suffered by the plaintiff also affect how long it will take to get compensation. In the case of severe injuries, they often result in higher settlement amounts as opposed to minor injuries that may only result in a lower settlement.
The insurance company of the trucking company may also try to minimize its liability by reducing the amount of the claim. This is why it is crucial to find a seasoned truck accident attorney as soon as you can. They will take on these deceitful tactics to get you the money you deserve.
Additional documents, like the black box data and bill of lading, could also help determine who is responsible for the accident on the truck. These documents could indicate that the driver of the truck was reckless in his driving. They can also be used to determine whether there was any involvement by the trucking company in the accident. If the truck manufacturer had an unreliable vehicle and was responsible for the accident.
Statute of limitations
The statute of limitation determines the time limit in which you are able to file a lawsuit after an auto accident. The time frame varies from state to state and depends on the type of accident you suffered. You are given a general four-year period for filing a personal injury suit, and a two-year window to file a wrongful death suit. A knowledgeable attorney can assist you through the process and determine if you have an outstanding case.
Your personal injury lawyer will look over the scene of your accident, interview witnesses, and scrutinize medical records, driver logbooks maintenance and employee records to determine who was responsible for the crash. This can take a substantial amount of time, so 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 do everything they can to prevent paying what you deserve. They might also try to minimize your injuries or even exaggerate them. If 18 wheeler accident attorney cambridge succeed this could delay the settling of your claim. In the end, you could wait for your settlement for over a year following your accident.
Your lawyer can make sure that the statute of limitation doesn't expire until you have settled your dispute or brought the matter to court. There are certain circumstances that could extend the time limit, for example the fact that you are a minor or suffer from a mental handicap.
Timeline
In the United States, there are tens of thousands of semi truck accidents every year that cause severe injuries and death. The law firms that concentrate in these cases earn an enormous amount of money. Settlements reached in 18 wheeler accident cases have been in the millions of dollars and often, billions.
Due to the nature of trucking accidents, an extensive investigation needs to be done to determine liability and damages. This process can take a few months to complete. In addition, if the case involves multiple parties, it may take longer to reach an agreement on the liability and damages.
It is essential that a seasoned trucking accident attorney is in place early in the process to ensure that your interests are safeguarded. An attorney can assist with determining the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. They can also ensure that the insurance company doesn't attempt to settle your claim in a hurry and is offering an acceptable price.
Attorneys usually operate on a contingency fee basis. They are not paid until the case is won. They usually receive around 1/3 of the final settlement or the court's award. This means that they have to wait for the rest of the money to arrive before they are able to pay for their bills and expenses.