How Long Does an 18 Wheeler Case Take to Settle?
Accidents with large vehicles are more complex than accidents that involve other vehicles. Trucking companies also have legal teams who are determined to not admit fault and limit the compensation that plaintiffs get.
An attorney who is a personal injury lawyer will examine the accident to determine who is liable and fight for fair compensation. Here are some tips to aid you in gaining experience.
Collecting evidence
As with any crash an accident involving a truck needs to be properly studied and documented. This includes gathering evidence at scene of an accident, gathering information about witnesses and taking photos of the incident. The more evidence we have to prove your claim, the higher your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.
This information will be collected by an experienced lawyer working with safety and trucking experts. They will then send spoliation requests to trucking companies in order to preserve any documentation they might have that proves violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations which led to your accident. If authorities are conducting an investigation trucking companies often take away documents. A prompt response could help you build your case.
The logbook and onboard technology of the truck are two of the most significant evidences we gather. This information can reveal many aspects, including the truck driver speeding or driving for too long, resulting in fatigue. This information can also be used to determine who is at fault for an accident.
This is why it's crucial to contact a lawyer as soon as you can after the incident. Even a month could be detrimental to your case. An experienced lawyer can gather evidence and submit your claim before the deadline expires.
Get Medical Attention
It is important to seek medical attention as soon as you can after an accident. You can take care of your injuries while protecting your legal rights. If an insurance adjuster wants to contact you, be polite but firm and ask your attorney to refer them. This will prevent them from using your words against you in the future.
Commercial trucks can cause serious damage and even injuries when it is involved in an accident. Accidents happen for a variety of reasons. Some of these accidents are common to all vehicles, whereas others are only relevant to large trucks. Speeding - truckers often travel a lot of miles in a short time, and might speed up to get to their destination. 18 wheeler accident lawyer orem as texts, phone calls and navigation systems. Daydreaming is another source of distraction that can distract the driver from the road. Stopping distance - larger vehicles need a longer time to stop than cars for passengers.
It is recommended to keep evidence at the scene of the accident therefore, you should take photographs of any damages and the 18 wheeler that hit you as and the crash site. Ask any witnesses to give an account of the incident. Find their contact details. Find treatment for your injuries, and go to all follow-up appointments. The insurance company could consider your absence to the treatment against you when assessing your claim.
Getting Help from an Attorney
In addition to seeking medical care, if you've been in an accident with an 18 wheeler, you should contact an experienced attorney. The best way to safeguard your rights and obtain the most compensation for your injuries is to hire an attorney as soon as you can. Do not contact the insurance company prior to consulting an attorney. They will try to get you to accept a lower amount than your claim is worth. While you recover, let an experienced attorney handle the insurance company.
Trucking companies are regulated by federal and state laws as also private laws, which can add to the complexity of these cases. Trucking companies will often aggressively defend a case to reduce their liability. An experienced lawyer can negotiate with the trucking company to maximize your settlement.
Accidents involving large trucks could cause serious injuries. A McAllen lawyer for 18 wheeler accidents can help you get the compensation you are entitled to for your injuries caused by car accidents, damages to your vehicle, lost wages, legal fees and pain and suffering. An experienced lawyer will also ensure that you submit your claim within the two year statute of limitations. This is important, as stale evidence can be rejected or witnesses may pass away. Contact us to get a no-cost consultation if you've been injured by an 18-wheeler.
Finding an Settlement
There are many variables which can affect the amount of length of time required to settle an 18-wheeler collision case. Some of these include disputes over the liability of the other party and damages. If there are multiple parties involved, it may take longer to settle the lawsuit arising from a truck accident. The parties involved might not be willing to compromise, which can cause negotiations to take longer.
After you've reached a settlement in your 18-wheeler accident case, the amount you receive will depend on how severe your injuries were and the kind of damages you sustained. In this type of case, the most common damages are medical bills, lost wages and property damage. When you calculate damages, your lawyer will consider the cost of your current treatment as well as the future medical requirements. Non-economic damages can be difficult to quantify, but your lawyer will collaborate with expert witnesses to build an overall analysis of your losses.
The majority of plaintiff attorneys are paid on a contingency basis, meaning they do not receive any money until they are successful in the case or have reached a settlement with their clients. The percentage of a settlement or court award that a plaintiff attorney receives will depend on the state's law and specifics of each case. However, most attorneys in this field make around a third of the final compensation for their clients.