How Long Does It Take to Settle an 18 Wheeler Lawsuit?
The amount of time required to settle a trucking accident case varies from case to case. There are many variables that can affect the time frame of settlement.
It could take an extended time to determine who is accountable for an accident. A lawyer can assist you determine the responsible parties and maximize your settlement.
What to Expect
The timeline for a settlement of an 18-wheeler lawsuit depends on many factors, including the possibility of liability and damages. If the participants in the crash are unable to come to an agreement about fault, this can greatly delay the process. In addition, if there are any disputes over witnesses' testimony or evidence, it may take more time to resolve these issues.
Settlement amounts can differ greatly depending on the extent of injuries and the insurance policy of the trucking company and the current state or federal regulations that govern commercial vehicles. Keep in mind that plaintiff attorneys are paid on an on a contingency basis. This means they are not paid until they have won a case, or reached a settlement.
Because of the severe and often fatal injuries that can result from accidents involving semi-trucks, it's no surprise that these types of cases are big business for the lawyers who represent them. Therefore, it's not uncommon to see settlements in these cases to exceed millions of dollars or more. 18 wheeler accident lawsuit los angeles is especially true if the trucking company has been considered to be negligent.
Liability
In the United States, there are more than 100,000 crashes each year that involve 18-wheelers. Many of these accidents cause severe injuries and even death. Insurance companies often undervalue the injuries and damages suffered by victims in these accidents. However, a skilled 18 wheeler accident attorney can level the playing field and negotiate with these large insurance companies to secure their clients maximum settlements.
In a lawsuit involving an 18-wheeler, the defendants may be held liable for economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages can include medical bills, lost wages, and future earnings. Non-economic damages include suffering and pain as well as emotional distress, disfigurement, and a diminished quality of life.
Plaintiff attorneys who are litigating in 18 wheeler cases are compensated on a contingency basis. This means that they won't get paid until their case is settled and they reach a settlement with their client. In the meantime, they have to cover court costs, take depositions, employ experts and other experts, travel and pay for other costs related to winning a case.
Damages
18-wheeler accidents can cause serious injuries, especially when they occur at a high speed. Due to the weight and size of these trucks, the impact of an accident can be even more severe than a typical motor vehicle crash. This means that damages can be more severe as well.
In addition to the physical and medical damage that can result from the crash of an 18 wheeler victims can also claim compensation for lost earnings and the pain caused by the loss of loved ones. A personal injury lawyer can assist you to determine the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to when you have suffered losses due to the crash of a semi-truck.
The costs of litigation can be quite high. Plaintiff attorneys need to pay for travel expenses for depositions, travel to court, hire experts as witnesses, and pay court costs, which is why they need their clients' cash as soon as they can. There are many ways that plaintiffs can receive their money quicker after the settlement. These are called post-settlement advances, lawsuit loans, or settlement cash advances. They are a great method for injured parties to pay costs while waiting for their settlement.
Timeline
There are a myriad of factors that contribute to the time it takes to settle a truck accident case. One major factor is the severity of your injuries. You should wait until your condition has improved to its maximum before making a decision on settlement. You may be able claim future losses, including loss of wages or a lower standard of life. Your attorney will need to provide evidence to support your claims.
Another factor that can prolong the process of settlement is a dispute between parties about liability or damages. This can often happen when there multiple insurance companies involved, or if the parties disagree on the who was responsible for the incident.
A qualified truck accident lawyer will help you determine if the insurance company is offering you a fair amount for your case and whether or the insurance company will be able to cover all of your current and future losses. If the insurance company refuses to negotiate, it could be necessary to file a suit, which could extend the time frame for the case. In some instances it could take a year or more to solve the issue.
Settlement
There are a few factors which can cause the longest time to settle a 18-wheeler lawsuit. This includes the severity of injuries and the insurance considerations that are involved. It could also take time for the documentation from your doctor to identify permanent impairments that could affect your future losses. You should never settle a claim for an accident too early, as this could leave you without a sufficient amount to cover your full range damages.
Attorneys representing plaintiffs in cases involving 18 wheeler-related accidents work on contingency fees. They aren't paid until they win their case or reach a settlement. They are required to pay court costs and travel expenses as well as expert witness fees throughout the course of a case.
As you can imagine, this can add up to quite a quite a lot. A lot of 18 wheeler plaintiff lawyers make use of post-settlement advances (also known as lawsuit loans or settlement cash advances) to help offset their legal costs out-of-pocket to be able to collect the money they owe sooner.