How Long Does it Take to File an 18 Wheeler Claim?
It may take longer for a claim arising from a car accident to be resolved than an 18-wheeler collision. Accidents involving trucks are usually associated with severe injuries.
However, each truck accident is different and there are many variables which affect the time it takes to reach a settlement. Here are some of the most important factors.
Insurance claims
As with all vehicles on the road, 18 wheeler truckers must carry a minimum amount insurance. This is for good reason. Accidents involving big trucks can result in more serious damage to property and injuries than a typical car accident. In fact, these wrecks often result in deaths and devastating injuries. It is essential that those who suffer from these accidents seek the compensation they deserve.
It can be difficult to find a policy that can meet all of your needs, even though coverage for 18 wheelers is a necessity. Based on the type of cargo your trucks carry you may require additional kinds of insurance. For instance, hazmat carriers could require up to $5 million in liability insurance. Other policies you could require include towing insurance, trailer interchange insurance and cargo insurance.
A knowledgeable attorney can assist you in determining what type of coverage is required by your business. The attorney will also assist you in negotiating with insurance companies to ensure that your claim is properly resolved. In certain situations insurance companies might try to minimize their liability by using the term "comparative fault. This can significantly diminish the value of your claim. 18 wheeler accident law firm redlands can assist you to disprove these claims and obtain the most compensation you are entitled to. No matter how you were injured in the accident, a knowledgeable lawyer will ensure you get the amount you need to recover.
Settlements
In many instances, the victim of a truck collision will be offered a settlement before filing a lawsuit. The insurance company of the trucking company's legal team will offer this offer, which is usually considerably less than the victim deserves. The victim should not accept a deal without consulting a personal injury attorney first.
The amount of the settlement is based on a number of factors, such as the severity of injuries and property damage. It is also contingent upon medical costs. Non-economic damages may also be considered, particularly when you've been emotionally or physically traumatized by the incident. These losses are hard to quantify and require expert analysis.
Establishing liability is another important aspect that affects the final compensation amount. If you can prove that the accountable party violated traffic law or was negligent or caused the accident by some other act of misconduct, they will be accountable for your damages. However, there are other legal defenses that could restrict their liability, like contributory negligence or comparative fault.
Owners of trucking companies may also be held liable for accidents. This could happen if the driver of the truck was operating in poor conditions or the company failed to keep the vehicle in good repair. In addition, if cargo was not properly loaded or a portion of the truck was not working properly, the shipping and cargo loading company could be held accountable.
Filing a lawsuit
If the insurance company fails to settle your claim fairly, you may have no other choice than to file a lawsuit. This could prolong the time to reach a decision, but can result in an increase in damages. If you decide to settle or go to trial, an experienced truck accident lawyer is the best choice.
You require someone to safeguard your interests because the insurance companies will try to reduce the value of your claim. A Lafayette truck accident lawyer can look over your crash, determine the amount of your damages, and ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
In many 18-wheeler accidents, there are multiple parties liable. For example, if the truck driver was drunk or breaking the hours of service rules and his employer could be held accountable. The manufacturer of a vehicle repair shop or component could also be held accountable if the defective part was responsible for the accident.
In addition, cargo-loading companies could be held accountable for accidents involving their trucks. This is because these trucks must be loaded and transported in a secure manner to prevent them from falling over or being jackknifed. Therefore, these companies must adhere to strict safety guidelines. The law also allows the company to recover economic damages, for example, pain and suffering.
Trial
The majority of truck accidents are settled through negotiations with the insurance company. A fair settlement should be based on all of your medical expenses or treatment costs, as well as other losses you may have and are likely to incur. An attorney can assist you in determining the potential damages that your future losses could be, and whether punitive damages are applicable.
The amount of time needed to get a full and final settlement could depend on many factors, and an experienced lawyer will be able to guide you through the process. The most important thing to consider is the extent of your injuries, which will affect the amount of compensation you are entitled to. Certain injuries will only affect you for some time but others will have a a longer or permanent impact on your life.
In 18-wheeler accidents, it may take a while to determine who is to blame. It is because multiple parties could be held accountable for the accident, including the truck driver and the company that employs him. In certain instances, there could be mechanical problems caused by the vehicle that result in a crash. In this instance, it may be necessary to hold the repair shop or manufacturer responsible for any damage.
There are a variety of factors that can affect the size of a settlement in an 18-wheeler accident However, in general these kinds of cases result in higher settlements than those that involve cars. This is due to the seriousness of the injuries and the damages that may be caused by these accidents.