How Long Does an 18 Wheeler Case Take to Settle?
Accidents that involve large vehicles are more complex than accidents involving other types of vehicles. Trucking companies also have legal teams who are determined not to accept liability and limit the amount of compensation plaintiffs receive.
A personal injury attorney will look into the accident to determine who is liable and fight for fair compensation. Here are some helpful tips that will help you get started.
Collecting evidence
As with all crashes, a truck accident needs to be properly assessed and documented. This includes collecting evidence from the site of the accident, obtaining witnesses, and obtaining photographs of the accident. The more evidence you have to prove your claim, your chances of receiving compensation increase.
A top lawyer will collaborate with experts in the field of safety and trucking to gather all of this information. They will issue spoliation letters to companies that handle trucking to save any documentation they might have that proves that they violated the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations that caused your accident. 18 wheeler accident attorney vista will often remove these documents when they are under scrutiny by authorities, therefore a prompt response is essential in establishing your case.
The logbook and onboard technology of the truck are two of the most important evidences we gather. This information can reveal a variety of things, including the truck driver's fatigue or speed. It may also help to determine the person responsible for the accident.
It is crucial to contact an attorney immediately after the accident. Even a month can be detrimental to your case. A qualified attorney can collect evidence and file your claim before the deadline expires.
Receiving Medical Attention
Medical attention after an accident is essential. You can take care of your injuries while protecting your legal rights. If an insurance adjuster attempts to speak with you, do not be rude but recommend 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 may cause serious damage or serious injuries. Accidents can occur for a variety of different reasons. Some of these accidents are common to all vehicles, while others are specific to large trucks. Speeding - since truck drivers have to cover a lot of miles in a short amount of time, they might attempt to get there quicker by driving too fast. Distractions, such as phone calls, texting, navigation systems, daydreaming, or other things that take the driver's attention off the road. Distance to stop - larger trucks need a longer time to stop than passenger vehicles.
It is recommended to keep evidence at the site of the accident, so be sure to take pictures of any damages, as well as the 18 wheeler that hit you as well as the site of the crash. If there are witnesses, get their contact information and request them to give a statement to your case. You should seek treatment for your injuries and go to all follow-up appointments. The insurance company may make use of your inability to attend an appointment against you when assessing your claim.
Contacting an Attorney for Help
In addition to getting medical attention, if you have suffered injuries in an accident caused by an 18-wheeler, you should contact an experienced attorney. The best way to protect your rights and receive the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries is to contact an attorney as soon as possible. Do not speak to the insurance company without consulting an attorney first. They will attempt to convince you to take a lesser amount than your claim is worth. A seasoned lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company as you recover from your injuries.
Trucking companies are governed by federal and state laws as and private laws which can increase the complexity of these cases. Trucking companies often aggressively defend a case to minimize their own liability. An experienced lawyer can even the playing field and negotiate with the trucking company in order to maximize the settlement.
Large trucks are the cause of serious accidents that can cause serious injuries. A McAllen attorney for accidents involving 18 wheelers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you're entitled to for your injuries caused by car accidents, damages to your vehicle, lost wages, legal costs as well as pain and suffering. A lawyer with experience will ensure that your suit is filed within the two-year limitation period. This is important, as old evidence may be rejected or witnesses could have died. If you have been injured in an accident involving an 18-wheeler, call our firm to schedule an appointment for a no-cost consultation.
Find an Settlement
There are many variables which can affect the amount of length of time required to settle an 18-wheeler crash case. This includes disagreements over the amount of damages and liability. It can also take longer to settle a truck crash lawsuit in the event that there are multiple parties involved. The parties involved might not be willing to compromise, and this could cause negotiations to take longer.
The amount you receive after the settlement has been made in your 18-wheeler accident case will be contingent upon the severity of your injuries and injuries you sustained. In this type of case, the most common damages are medical bills, lost wages and property damage. Your attorney will look at the cost of your current treatment as well as your future medical requirements in the calculation of your damages. Non-economic damages can be difficult to quantify. However, your lawyer will work closely with experts to construct an accurate representation of your loss.
The majority of plaintiff attorneys are paid on an hourly basis, which means they do not receive any money until they win the case or reach a settlement with their clients. The exact percentage of the final settlement or court award that a plaintiff attorney receives depends on the law of the state and details of each case. However, most lawyers in this field take approximately a third of final settlement for their clients.