15 Reasons You Must Love 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney Near Me
How Long Does it Take to File an 18 Wheeler Claim?
It may take longer for a car crash claim to be resolved than an 18-wheeler crash. Truck accidents are often accompanied by severe injuries.
However, every truck accident is different and there are many factors that impact the length of time it takes to settle. Here are a few of the most important factors.
Insurance claims
As with all vehicles on the road, 18 wheeler truckers are required to carry a minimum amount of insurance. This is because collisions with large trucks are more likely to cause serious injuries and property damage as compared to a normal car accident. These crashes can result in death or catastrophic injuries. It is therefore crucial that victims of these wrecks seek the compensation they deserve.
It can be difficult to find a policy that is able to meet all your needs, even though 18 wheeler coverage is a necessity. You may require additional insurance depending on the type and size of cargo your trucks transport. For instance, hazmat-related carriers might require upwards of $5 million in liability insurance. Other policies you could require include towing insurance, trailer interchange insurance and cargo insurance.
In addition to the above, an experienced attorney can help you decide what kinds of insurance your company requires. They can also assist you in negotiating with insurance companies to ensure that your claim can be correctly resolved. In some cases insurance companies may attempt to reduce their liability by declaring comparative fault. This could seriously diminish the value of your claim. An attorney can help to challenge these claims and secure the highest amount of compensation that you are entitled to. A seasoned lawyer will ensure that you receive the amount required to recover regardless of how you were injured in the accident.
Settlements
In many cases, a truck accident victim will receive an initial settlement offer well before a lawsuit is filed. This offer is usually below what the victim deserves. It's provided by the trucking company or their legal team. The victim should not accept this offer without discussing it with an attorney for personal injuries first.
The value of a settlement is contingent on several aspects such as the extent of injuries, property damage, and medical expenses. Other damages that are not economic can also play a role, particularly if the crash left you physically and emotionally devastated. However, these losses are harder to quantify and require a thorough analysis.
The amount you will receive in compensation is also influenced by the determination of the liability. If you can prove that the person responsible for the accident committed a violation of traffic laws, acted negligently, or caused the wreck by committing another act of negligence, they will be responsible for paying the damages. There are however other legal defenses that could limit their liability. These include comparative fault and contributory negligence.
The owner of the trucking company may also be held liable for the accident. This is a possibility if the driver of the truck was operating under poor conditions or if the company did not maintain the vehicle in good shape. In addition, if the cargo was not properly loaded or a portion of the truck was not working properly the shipping and cargo loading companies could be held responsible.
Filing a lawsuit
If the insurance company fails to settle your claim fairly then you may have no other choice than to bring a lawsuit. 18 wheeler accident lawyer bakersfield can delay the resolution of your case but it could also result in a bigger amount of damages. Whether you choose to settle or go to trial, a skilled truck accident attorney is the best choice.
The insurance companies involved in this instance will attempt to undercut you which is why you need someone on your side who will defend your rights. A Lafayette truck accident lawyer will examine the accident and determine the amount of damages to ensure you receive maximum compensation.
In many 18-wheeler accidents there are many parties that are responsible. If the driver of the truck was under the under the influence of alcohol or had violated the hours of service regulations and his or her employer may be held responsible. A manufacturer of a vehicle component or repair shop could be held accountable in the event that a defective component was the reason for the accident.
In addition, cargo-loading companies could be held accountable for accidents involving their trucks. This is due to the fact that these trucks have to be loaded and transported in a safe way to prevent them from falling over or jackknifing. Thus, the companies have to adhere to strict safety regulations. The law also allows you to seek compensation for economic damages, for example, pain and suffering.
Trial
Negotiations with the insurance company are used to settle the majority of cases of truck accidents. A fair settlement should cover all of your medical costs as well as treatment expenses, as well as any other losses you've suffered or are likely to suffer. Your attorney can help you determine the likely future damages and determine if punitive damages are applicable.
A qualified attorney can guide you through this process. The most important aspect 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 while others could have a lasting or long-lasting effects on your life.
In the case of accidents involving 18-wheelers, it could take a long time to determine who is at fault. This is due to the possibility that there could be multiple parties responsible such as the driver of the truck and the company that employs them. In some cases there may be mechanical problems in the vehicle that lead to a crash. In this instance, it may be necessary to hold the repair shop or manufacturer liable for any damage.
There are a myriad of factors that affect the amount of a settlement for an 18 wheeler accident However, in general these kinds of cases yield larger settlements than those with cars. This is due to the severity of the injuries and damages that could be caused by these accidents.