How Long Does It Take to File an 18 Wheeler Lawsuit?
If you're involved in a collision with an 18 wheeler, you need an injury lawyer who knows the law of trucking and can help you get the best possible settlement. A truck accident case can take anywhere from three months to two years to settle.
There could be multiple parties responsible for your injuries. Finding out who is at fault in these types of accidents can be a challenge. An experienced lawyer will be able to determine all parties liable and take legal action against them.
Damages
Due to the higher weight and size of a commercial truck compared to a passenger vehicle, accidents involving 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks can result in serious, and sometimes life-threatening injuries. They also usually cause much more substantial damage to property and vehicles. Therefore, the damages awarded in 18 wheeler accident settlements and jury awards tend to be substantially higher than those awarded in an ordinary motor vehicle crash.
In many cases, multiple parties are responsible for an 18-wheeler crash. Truck drivers are typically the primary reason for accidents, since they are negligent. The trucking company they work for could also be held liable if it does not provide adequate training or equipment to its drivers. The trucking firm could be liable if it encourages or rewards its drivers to violate federal regulations on hours of service. Additionally, the manufacturer of the truck or its components can be held responsible in the event of an auto defect which causes an accident.
The identification of all responsible parties is vital to securing the most fair and comprehensive settlement. A skilled attorney for 18-wheelers will examine your case to determine who is responsible for causing the accident, and will be fully prepared to pursue compensation from each party responsible. In addition to pursuing financial losses, your lawyer may also pursue other damages, such as pain and suffering.
Liability
Truck accident cases can be much more complex than car accident claims. Many parties could be held accountable for the accident, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and the vehicle manufacturer. The trucking industry also offers incentives which can encourage trucks to drive recklessly or even to sleep in order to deliver their goods quickly.
These factors can affect the amount of time required to settle a truck accident claim. The injury of the plaintiff can influence the length of time it will take to get compensation. Severe injuries often lead to greater settlements in comparison to minor injuries which may result in a smaller settlement.
The insurance company of the trucking company will also attempt to minimize its liability by reducing the value of the claim. This is why it's important to hire an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. They will fight against these tactics to ensure that you get the compensation you are entitled to.
Additionally, additional documents such as the bill of delivery and black box data can help identify who is responsible for the truck accident. These documents may show that the driver of the truck was reckless in his driving. They can also be used to determine whether there was involvement of the trucking company in the crash. The truck manufacturer may also be responsible for the accident when they made a mistake with their product.
Statute of limitations
The statute of limitation determines the length of time you must start a lawsuit in the event of an accident. This timeframe varies from state to state and is dependent on the kind of accident you were involved in. In general you have four years to bring an injury claim for personal injury, and two years to file a wrongful-death lawsuit. An experienced lawyer can assist you in the process and determine if you're eligible for a case.
Your personal injury lawyer will review the scene of your accident, speak with witnesses, and scrutinize medical records, driver logbooks, maintenance and employee records to find out who was at fault for the crash. This could take a significant amount of time, so it is crucial to begin this work as quickly as possible in order to preserve evidence.
The trucking company and their insurance company will fight to avoid paying you what you deserve. They may also try to minimize your injuries, or even exaggerate the severity of your injuries. If they succeed they could delay the settling of your claim. In the end, you could be waiting for a settlement for a full year after your crash.
Your lawyer can ensure that the statute of limitation will not run out until you have settled your claim or brought the matter to court. 18 wheeler accident settlement skokie may override the statute of limitations, such as when you are a minor and have a mental disability.
Timeline
In the United States, there are thousands of semi truck accidents every year that result in severe injuries and death. These accidents are a major business for the law firms that specialize in handling these. The settlements reached in 18 wheeler accidents have been in the millions of dollars, and oftentimes even billions.
Due to the nature of trucking accidents it is essential to conduct a thorough investigation completed to determine the extent of liability and damages. This process could take several months to complete. If there are multiple parties involved, it can take longer to reach an agreement on damages and liability.
To safeguard your rights it is vital to have an experienced trucking accident lawyer available early in the process. An attorney can assist in determining the highest amount of compensation you're entitled to. They can also ensure that the insurance company is not trying to settle your claim too quickly and that they are offering a fair value.
Attorneys generally operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that they don't get paid unless they prevail in the case. They typically receive about one-third of the final settlement or the court's award. They must therefore wait until the remainder of their money is available before they can pay for their expenses and bills.