How Long Does it Take to File an 18 Wheeler Claim?
When someone gets injured in a collision with an 18 wheeler, the case may take longer to settle than a typical car crash claim. This is because truck accidents typically cause severe injuries.
There are many factors that determine the time required to reach an agreement. Here are some of the most important factors to consider.
Insurance claims
Just like all vehicles on the road, 18 wheeler truckers are required to have a minimum amount of insurance. This is for good reason. Collisions with big trucks can result in more serious injury and property damage than a typical car crash. In fact, these wrecks often result in deaths and severe injuries. As a result, it is crucial that the victims of these accidents file a claim for the compensation they deserve.
While 18 wheeler insurance is a must but it isn't always easy to find policies that can meet all your requirements. Based on the nature of the cargo your trucks transport you may require additional kinds of insurance. For instance, hazmat carriers may require as much as $5 million in liability insurance. Other policies you may require include towing insurance trailer interchange insurance and cargo insurance.
A knowledgeable attorney can assist you in determining what kind of insurance is required by your company. They will assist you in negotiating with insurance companies to ensure that your claim is properly settled. In some cases insurance companies might try to reduce their liability by using the term "comparative fault. This could seriously diminish the value of your claim. An attorney can help disprove these claims and get the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. Whatever the cause of your injured in your crash, a skilled attorney will ensure that you receive the amount you're entitled to.
Settlements
In many instances, a truck accident victim will receive a settlement offer well before the filing of a lawsuit. The insurance company of the trucking company's legal team will offer this offer, which is often considerably less than the victim deserves. The victim should not accept a deal without consulting an attorney who specializes in personal injury.
The amount of the settlement is contingent upon various aspects, including the degree of injuries and the property damage. It also depends on medical expenses. The non-economic costs can also be considered, especially in cases where you've been emotionally or physically affected by the accident. These damages are difficult to quantify and require an expert analysis.
The final compensation amount is also affected by the amount of liability. If you can prove the person responsible for the accident committed a violation of traffic laws, acted negligently or caused the crash due to another act of wrongdoing, they'll be accountable for your damages. There are also other legal defenses that can restrict their liability. These include the doctrine of contributory negligence and comparative fault.
The owners of trucking companies can also be held liable for an accident. This can happen if a driver operated the truck in a hazardous condition, or when a company fails to maintain the vehicle. The cargo loading and shipping firm may also be accountable for the cargo if it was improperly loaded, or a component was damaged.
Filing a lawsuit
If the insurance company fails to provide a fair settlement then you may have no other choice than to make a claim. This can increase the timeline to a settlement and could result in the award of more damages. If you decide to settle or go to trial, a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer is your best option.
You require someone to guard your interests as insurance companies will try to undervalue your claim. A Lafayette truck accident lawyer can review your crash and determine the value of the damages to ensure that you receive maximum compensation.
In a lot of 18 wheeler accidents, multiple parties are liable. For example, if the truck driver was drunk or violating hours of service regulations the employer could be held responsible. In addition, the manufacturer of a vehicle component or repair shop could be held liable if a defective part caused the accident.
In addition, cargo-loading companies may be held responsible for accidents that happen to their trucks. The trucks must be loaded and transported in a safe manner so as to avoid them tipping or jackknifing. 18 wheeler accident attorney maryland must adhere to strict safety rules. You may also be able to recover non-economic losses like discomfort and pain.
Trial
Negotiations with insurance companies are used to settle the majority of truck accident cases. A fair settlement should include all of your medical costs and treatment costs, as well as any other losses you are facing or are likely to incur. An attorney can help determine the possible future damages, as well as if punitive damages are applicable.
The amount of time it takes to obtain a fair and final settlement can depend on a variety of factors, and an experienced lawyer can help you through the process. The biggest factor is the severity of your injuries, which will affect the amount of compensation you are entitled to. Some injuries can be asymptomatic for a few weeks or even months, while others could have a lasting or long-lasting impact on your life.
It may take a while to determine the fault, as it is not always immediately obvious in 18 wheeler collisions. This is because several individuals can be held accountable, including the truck driver and the company who employs him. In certain instances, there could be mechanical problems with the vehicle which cause a crash. In this instance it might be necessary to hold the repair shop or manufacturer accountable for any damage.
There are a myriad of factors that affect the amount of a settlement for an 18-wheeler, but these cases tend to have larger settlements in general as compared to cases involving cars. This is due to the nature of injuries and damage that can result from these accidents, which may be devastating.