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 an attorney who understands trucking law and can assist you in obtaining the most favorable possible settlement. 18 wheeler accident law firm macon can take anywhere from three months to a couple of years to settle a truck crash case.
Determining who is at fault in these types of accidents can be difficult and several parties could be responsible for the damages. A skilled attorney will be able identify all parties liable and pursue claims against them.
Damages
Accidents involving 18-wheelers as well as other large commercial trucks can result in serious, even life-threatening injuries. This is due to the weight and size of a truck being much more than a typical passenger car. These accidents are also more likely to cause extensive damage to vehicles and property. Due to this, the amount of damages that juries and settlements award in 18 wheeler crashes are usually significantly higher than those granted in a typical motor vehicle accident.
Often, several parties may be accountable for an 18-wheeler accident. Truck drivers are usually the primary driver of accidents since they are liable. The trucking company that they work for could also be held accountable if the company does not provide adequate training or equipment for their drivers. The trucking company could also be held accountable if it encourages or rewards its drivers to break federal regulations on hours of service. Additionally, the manufacturer of the truck or its components can be held liable in the event of an auto defect that leads to an accident.
It is vital to identify the parties accountable for the accident in order to get a fair and full settlement. An experienced 18 wheeler lawyer will examine your case to determine the person responsible for the crash. They will then be fully prepared to seek settlement from each party accountable. Your attorney can seek damages that are not economic, such as discomfort and pain in addition to financial losses.
Liability
Truck accident cases are more complex than typical car accident claims. There are many parties that can be held responsible for the occurrence, including the driver of the truck as well as the trucking firm and the car manufacturer. Furthermore, the industry of trucking offers incentives that can lead trucks to be reckless or even not sleep to make deliveries on time.
These elements can impact the time required to settle a truck accident claim. Injury to the plaintiff may impact the length of time it takes to receive compensation. In the case of severe injuries, they often result in greater settlements in comparison to minor injuries which may result in a lower settlement.
The insurance provider of the trucking company may also attempt to reduce its liability by reducing the value of the claim. This is why it is important to engage an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible. They will fight against these tactics to ensure that you get the settlement you deserve.
Additional documents, like the black box data as well as the bill of lading assist in determining who was responsible for the accident on the truck. These documents could indicate that the driver of the truck was driving recklessly. They can also be used to determine the extent of involvement of the trucking company involved in the accident. If the truck manufacturer had an unreliable vehicle or a defective vehicle, they could be accountable for the crash.
Statute of limitations
The statute of limitations defines the length of time you must file a lawsuit for the cause of a crash. The statute of limitations varies state-to-state and also depends on the kind of accident that you were involved in. You are given a general four-year period for filing a personal injury suit and a two-year period to file a wrongful deaths suit. An experienced attorney will help you navigate the process and determine if you have an outstanding case.
Your personal injury attorney will investigate the scene of the accident and interview witnesses. They will also review medical records. They will also examine the logbooks of employees, driver logbooks and maintenance records to determine who was responsible for the accident. This can take some time and it's crucial to begin this work immediately to safeguard the evidence.
The trucking company, and their insurance company will do all they can to stop paying what you deserved. They might also try to minimize your injuries, or even exaggerate the severity of your injuries. If they succeed it could delay settlement of your claim. You could be waiting more than a whole year to receive your settlement.
Your lawyer can make sure that the statute of limitations doesn't expire until you settle your claim or taken it to court. Certain circumstances may override the statute of limitation like being a minor and have mental disabilities.
Timeline
Tens of thousands semi truck accidents occur in the United States each year, which can result in fatal injuries or even death. These accidents are huge business for law firms that specialize in handling them. Settlements for 18-wheeler accident cases could be millions or billions of dollars.
A thorough investigation is required due to the nature and severity of trucking accidents. The process can take several months to be completed. If there are multiple parties involved, it can take longer to reach an agreement on the amount of damages and liability.
To protect your rights it is vital to have a skilled trucking accident lawyer on board early in the process. A lawyer can assist in determining what amount of compensation you're entitled. They can also ensure that the insurance company is not trying to settle your claim quickly and that they're offering an appropriate amount.
Attorneys typically work on a contingency basis. This means that they won't be paid until they are successful in the case. They get about 1/3 of any final settlement or court award. This means that they must wait for the rest of the money to arrive before they can pay their bills and expenses.