How Long Does an 18 Wheeler Case Take to Settle?
Accidents that involve large trucks are more complicated than other accidents. In addition, trucking companies have teams of attorneys who are determined to avoid any liability and limit the amount of compensation that plaintiffs receive.
An attorney who is a personal injury lawyer will analyze the incident to determine who is responsible and fight for fair compensation. The following are a few tips to help you get started.
Collecting Evidence
As with any crash any other type of crash, a truck accident has to be properly investigated and documented. This includes gathering evidence at the site of the accident, collecting information about witnesses and taking photographs of the incident. The more evidence you can provide to back your claim, the better your chances of receiving compensation are higher.
The information will be gathered by an experienced lawyer, working with experts in safety and trucking. They will send spoliation letters to trucking companies to preserve any documentation they might have that proves there was a violation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations that caused your accident. Trucking companies typically destroy these documents when they are under scrutiny by authorities, so a quick response is essential to build your case.
The most crucial evidences we collect come from the truck's onboard technology and the driver's logbook. This data can reveal a variety of things, like the truck driver speeding or taking too long to drive, resulting in fatigue. This information can also be used to determine who is to blame for an accident.
This is the reason it is imperative to consult a lawyer as quickly as you can following the incident. The time frame to file a claim is very limited, and even one month can be detrimental to your claim. A qualified lawyer will be able to collect evidence and create the claim before the deadline expires.
Seeking Medical Attention
It is crucial to seek medical attention immediately after an accident. This will help you treat your injuries as well as protect your legal rights. If an insurance adjuster tries to speak with you, be polite but firm and forward them to your attorney. This will stop them from using your words against you in the future.
When a commercial truck is involved in an accident, it could cause significant damage and serious injuries. Accidents can occur for a variety of different reasons. Some of these accidents are common to all vehicles, while others are unique to large trucks. Speeding - since truck drivers have to cover a lot of miles in a short period of time, they may try to get there quicker by driving too fast. Distractions like phone calls, texting, navigation systems, daydreaming or other activities that take the driver's focus off the road. Stopping distance - larger vehicles need a longer time to stop than passengers.
It is best to preserve evidence at the site of the accident, so be sure to take pictures of any damage or injuries and the 18 wheeler that hit you, as well as the site of the crash. Ask any witnesses to give their testimony in your case. Contact them. Attend all appointments and seek treatment for your injuries. If you fail to attend a treatment or appointment, the insurance company could claim that you did not attend to your claim.
Legal Assistance is available
If you have been involved in an accident that involved an 18-wheeler, you should seek out a skilled lawyer. Hiring an attorney immediately is the best way to protect yourself and to receive the most compensation for your injuries. Do not contact the insurance company without first consulting an attorney. They will try to force you to pay less than your claim is worth. When you are recovering the money, let a seasoned attorney handle the insurance company.
The trucking industry is subject to federal law, state and private laws. This can make these cases more complicated. Trucking companies will often aggressively defend a case to reduce their own liability. An experienced attorney can negotiate with the trucking firm to maximize the settlement.
Accidents involving large trucks may cause serious injuries. A McAllen 18-wheeler accident lawyer will assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve, including the cost of your injuries along with vehicle damage, lost wages and legal costs. 18 wheeler accident settlement lancaster will also ensure that you have your case filed within the two-year time frame of limitations. This is important, as the evidence that is not current can be dismissed or witnesses may die. If you have been injured in an accident that involved an 18-wheeler, call our firm for an appointment at no cost.
Making A Settlement
There are a myriad of factors which can affect the amount of length of time required to settle an 18-wheeler collision case. These include disputes over damages and liability. It may take longer to settle a truck crash lawsuit in the event that there several parties involved. The parties involved may be hesitant to compromise, which can cause lengthy negotiations.
Once you've negotiated a settlement in your 18-wheeler accident case the amount you get will depend on how severe your injuries were and the type of damage you sustained. In this type of case the most commonly cited damages are medical bills, lost wages and property damage. When making a determination of damages, your lawyer will take into consideration the costs of your current treatment as well as the future medical requirements. Non-economic damages can be difficult to quantify. However your lawyer will work closely with experts to create an accurate estimate of your loss.
Most plaintiff attorneys are paid on the basis of a contingency, which means they don't get paid until they succeed in their case or reach an agreement with their clients. The percentage of the settlement or court award a plaintiff attorney receives is contingent upon the state's law and the specifics of each case. However, the majority of attorneys in this field make about a third of the final amount of compensation they receive for their clients.