18 Wheeler Litigation
If you've suffered serious injuries as a result of an 18-wheeler accident, you may be attracted to accept an offer of settlement. It's not always in your best interests.
Truck accidents are complex, requiring legal expertise in physics, chemistry, biology, medicine Federal trucking regulations driving standards, and more. The best way to receive the most money you're due is to pursue your case in the courtroom.
Negligence
Because 18 wheelers are so big they are often involved in accidents that cause serious injuries or even death. In these cases lawsuits are typically filed against trucking companies and could easily exceed millions of dollars, or even hundreds of million.
A skilled attorney can identify the parties accountable for your accident, and ensure that you receive compensation for all the damages. This includes medical expenses as well as lost income, property damage, legal fees and other losses that are not economic, such as pain and suffering.
In many cases trucking companies could be found guilty of negligence if they fail to follow federal safety guidelines or if they fail to supervise their drivers. It could be that employees are allowed to drive while fatigued or using over-the-counter drugs that interfere with driving. The driver could be negligent for not taking the time to secure his or her cargo or driving recklessly. These mistakes can lead to catastrophic accidents that result in the destruction of other vehicles and their occupants. A successful lawsuit would demand that the trucking company be compensated damages for the injuries. The money is used to help victims recover from their injuries and return to normal life.
Damages
A serious truck crash will take longer than normal due to the extent of injuries. It may also take time to determine the root of the problem and who is responsible.
Trucking companies often have teams of lawyers working all day and night to minimize claims. They can make low-ball settlement offers to persuade injured victims to settle. A seasoned 18 wheeler accident attorney will be able to even the playing field with these insurance companies and negotiate you a fair settlement.
A New York 18 wheeler lawyer can also gather the medical evidence needed to prove your losses. This can include doctor reports and physical evidence at the scene of the accident, or other documentation of non-financial and financial losses.
Plaintiff attorneys also work on a contingent fee basis. This means that they do not get paid until the case is settled or won. To cover their expenses the plaintiff attorneys need to pay money on things like court costs as well as depositions and the hiring of expert witnesses.
Insurance
The medical expenses of the victims of a collision with a truck are substantial and they could be in financial hardship. In addition, a crash with an 18-wheeler is likely to involve multiple liable parties. The driver as well as the owner of the truck and their insurance company each have policies that may apply to the event. It can take longer to prove the liability of a truck crash than the case of a car crash. A skilled Indiana big-rig accident lawyer can uncover and prove the role of every negligent party involved in a crash.
In 18 wheeler litigations, plaintiff attorneys also incur costs in order to win a lawsuit, such as court expenses, investigative expenses and travel. They may also hire experts or pay for depositions. Plaintiff attorneys are often capable of recovering their contingency fees from the settlement, but this can take months or even years after a case has been won. To reduce this delay, plaintiffs can use post settlement funds to receive an advance of the contingency costs they are owed. This will allow them to pay their bills. 18 wheeler accident lawyer paterson could be life-saving to many injured victims in 18-wheeler collisions.
Settlements
Most cases involving truck accidents are settled, thereby saving time and money by avoiding the need for a trial. Some cases go to trial. A skilled New York 18 wheeler lawyer can help you prepare your case for trial. It is crucial to adhere to a set timeline to avoid stale evidence, lost witness testimony, and the fading of memories.
Truck accident settlements can reach millions of dollars and sometimes even surpass records. This is due to the seriousness of the injuries as well as the perception of negligence on the part of trucking companies.
Plaintiff lawyers who handle these cases usually work on a contingency-fee basis. That means that they don't have to pay out of the pocket for their legal costs however it could take several months before the client is able to see any funds from the case. In that time, the attorney has to pay for the costs of court, travel, and other costs related to the case. In this regard, many plaintiff lawyers opt to settlement advances (also known as lawsuit loans or settlement cash advances) to get their contingency fees paid sooner.
Trial
Generally speaking, truck collision settlements are significantly higher than those involving other motor vehicles. It is not unusual for the families of victims to receive hundreds of thousand or even millions of dollars.
This is because truck accidents result in severe injuries, and often life threatening. Trucks can also be very large and can cause a great deal of damage when they collide.
In addition, 18-wheeler accidents involve multiple parties which include the trucking company and its insurance company. They are all at stake and will fight aggressively to keep you from being held accountable for your injuries.
You should consult a New York truck accident lawyer as soon as you can following an accident. This will allow us to gather vital evidence, including driver's licence documents as well as safety inspections reports, onboard cameras footage, etc. We will also need an expert medical professional to assess your injuries and confirm their severity. This information will be used to calculate the total damages for purposes of negotiating the settlement.