How Long Does It Take to File an 18 Wheeler Lawsuit?
If you're involved in a crash with an 18-wheeler you'll need an attorney for personal injuries who understands trucking law and can assist you in obtaining the most favorable possible settlement. It could take anything from three months to several years to settle a truck crash case.
The process of determining fault in these types of accidents can be difficult and several parties could be responsible for the damages. An experienced attorney will be able to identify all responsible parties and pursue claims against them.
Damages
Accidents involving 18-wheelers or other commercial trucks that are large can result in serious, even life-threatening injuries. This is due to the weight and size of a commercial truck being more than a typical passenger car. These accidents are also more likely to cause significant destruction to property and vehicles. Due to this, the amount of damages awarded by juries and settlements in 18 wheeler accidents are typically much higher than those granted in a typical motor vehicle accident.
In most cases, multiple parties could be responsible for causing an 18-wheeler collision. It could be the driver of the truck and his negligence is typically the primary cause of these accidents. The trucking company they work for could be held responsible if it does not provide adequate training or equipment for their drivers. Furthermore, the company that operates the truck can be held accountable for encouraging or enticing their drivers to overstep the federal regulations on hours of service. In addition, the company that makes the truck or its components can be held responsible if there is an auto defect which causes an accident.
It is vital to identify the parties accountable for the accident to get a fair and full settlement. A skilled attorney for 18 wheelers will review your case to determine the person responsible for your accident and be prepared to pursue the compensation of each party responsible. In 18 wheeler accident lawsuit baltimore to seeking financial losses, your attorney may also pursue damages that are not economic like suffering and pain.
Liability
Accidents involving trucks can be much more complex than car accident claims. Different parties could be held accountable for the accident, which includes the truck driver and the trucking company and the vehicle manufacturer. The trucking industry offers incentives that can lead trucks to be reckless and even sleepless in order to make deliveries quickly.
These factors can prolong the time required to settle a truck crash claim. The injuries of the plaintiff also influence how long it will take to get compensation. Serious injuries typically result in greater settlements in comparison to minor injuries that might result in a smaller settlement.
Moreover, the trucking company's insurance provider will try to minimize their responsibility by reducing the amount of the claim. This is why it's crucial to find a seasoned truck accident lawyer as quickly as you can. They will be able to fight these tactics of intimidation to ensure that you get the settlement that you deserve.
Additionally, additional documents such as the bill of lading as well as black box data can help identify who is accountable for the truck accident. These documents may prove that the truck driver was driving recklessly and can help determine whether the trucking company had any involvement in the crash. If the manufacturer of the truck had a vehicle that was defective and was responsible for the crash.
Statute of limitations
The statute of limitations defines how long you have to bring a lawsuit after an accident. The statute of limitations varies state-to-state and also depends on the kind of accident you were in. You have a general four-year window to file an injury claim and a two-year time frame to file a wrongful death suit. An experienced lawyer can assist you in the process and determine if you have an opportunity to pursue a claim.
Your personal injury lawyer will examine the area of the accident, talk to witnesses, and look over medical documents, driver logbooks, maintenance and employee records to find out who was responsible for the crash. It can take a long time and it's crucial to begin this work as soon possible to preserve the evidence.
The trucking company and their insurance company will fight to stop paying you the compensation you deserve. They may also attempt to minimize your injuries or even exaggerate them. If they succeed, it can delay the settlement of your claim. Ultimately, you could wait for a settlement for more than a year after your crash.
Your lawyer can make sure that the statute of limitations will not expire before you are in a position to settle your case or bring it to trial. There are certain circumstances that could extend the statute of limitations, for instance the fact that you are a minor or suffer from mental impairment.
Timeline
In the United States, there are hundreds of thousands of semi truck accidents each year that result in fatal injuries and even death. These accidents are a major business for the law firms that specialize in handling them. Settlements for 18-wheeler accident cases can reach millions and billions of dollars.
An extensive investigation is necessary due to the severity and nature of trucking accidents. The process can take several months to complete. In addition, if a case involves multiple parties, it could take longer to get them to agree on damages and liability.
It is vital that a skilled trucking accident lawyer is present early on to ensure that your interests are protected. An attorney can help determine the amount of amount of compensation you're entitled to. They can also make sure that the insurance company doesn't try to settle your claim as quickly as possible and is offering an affordable price.
Attorneys usually operate on a contingent fee. This means that they don't get paid unless they succeed in winning the case. They receive about one third of the final settlement or judgment of the court. They have to wait until the rest of their money is received before they can pay for their expenses and bills.