18 wheeler accident law firms Wheeler Litigation
If you’ve suffered serious injuries as a result of an 18-wheeler accident, 18 wheeler accident lawyer you could be tempted to accept an offer to settle. However, it’s not in your best interest.
Truck accidents require legal expertise in physics and chemistry, biology, medical science, federal trucking regulations, standards of driving, as well as other areas. The best way to get the maximum compensation you deserve is to fight for your case in the courtroom.
Negligence
18-wheelers are big and are often involved with accidents that cause serious injuries or deaths. When this happens, lawsuits against trucking companies are commonplace and can easily reach millions or hundreds of millions of dollars.
A competent lawyer will be able to identify the responsible parties in the accident and ensure you are compensated for all the damages. This includes medical expenses loss of wages, damages to property, attorney fees and other damages that are not economic like pain and discomfort.
In a lot of cases a trucking business could be found negligent for not complying with federal safety standards or not monitoring its drivers. It could be that employees are permitted to drive when fatigued or using over-the-counter drugs that interfere with driving. The driver may be negligent for not taking the time to secure their cargo or for driving recklessly. These errors can cause catastrophic accidents that can destroy other vehicles and their passengers. A successful lawsuit will demand the trucking company pay compensation damages for the injuries. This money helps victims recover from their injuries and get back to normal life.
Damages
A major truck accident could take longer than normal due to the seriousness of the injuries. It may also take time to determine the cause and who is liable.
Trucking companies typically have lawyers on staff night and day to minimize claims. They may make low-ball settlement offers to convince injured victims to settle. An experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer will be able to level the playing field with insurance companies and secure you an appropriate settlement.
A New York 18 wheeler lawyer will also be able gather the medical evidence needed to prove your losses. This can include doctor’s notes and other physical evidence from an accident scene, and any other documentation of your financial and non-financial losses.
Just like their clients lawyers, plaintiff attorneys operate on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that they aren’t paid until the case is won or settled. To cover their costs plaintiff attorneys have to spend money for things like court costs and depositions as well as hiring experts as witnesses.
Insurance
The medical bills for a truck accident victim are substantial, and they may face financial strain. Additionally, a crash with an 18 wheeler is likely to involve several parties liable. The driver as well as the owner of the truck, and their insurance company have policies that could be applicable to the event. It will take more time to prove the responsibility in the case of a truck accident than it would in an auto accident claim. A skilled Indiana big-rig accident lawyer can uncover and prove the role of each party who was negligent in the event of a crash.
Attorneys representing plaintiffs in 18 wheeler litigation must also pay expenses to win a case, which includes costs for court fees, investigation expenses, travel, depositions, and the hiring of experts. Plaintiff attorneys can often be in a position to recover their contingency fees from the settlement, but this could take months or even years after a case has been won. To reduce this delay plaintiffs can utilize post settlement funds to receive an advance of the contingency fees they’re due. This will allow them to pay their bills. This could be a lifesaver for injured victims in 18-wheeler accidents.
Settlements
Most cases involving truck accidents settle without the expense and time of a trial. Certain cases do go to trial. A knowledgeable New York 18 wheeler lawyer can assist you in preparing your case for trial. It is important to adhere to a defined timeframe to prevent stale evidence, lost witness testimony, and the loss of memories.
Settlements for truck accidents can run into millions of dollars, and even set records. This is due to the severity of the injuries as well as the perceived negligence on the part of the trucking company.
The plaintiff attorneys work on an hourly basis. It means they don’t pay their legal fees out of pocket, but it could take a long time before the client receives any money. In that time the attorney has to pay for the costs of court, travel, and other expenses associated with the case. Because of this, many plaintiff attorneys choose to submitting settlement advances (also called lawsuit loans or settlement cash advances) to pay their contingency fee earlier.
Trial
Generally speaking, truck collision settlements are significantly higher than those for other motor vehicles. It is not unusual for the families of victims to recover hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.
This is because truck accidents can result in severe injuries, which can be life threatening. It’s also because truck are massive, and they can cause huge amount of damage in the case of a crash.
Furthermore, accidents involving 18 wheelers involve multiple liable parties, including the trucking company as well as its insurance company. They are fighting to avoid liability and have a lot at stake.
It is important to speak with a New York truck accident lawyer as soon as you can following an accident. This will allow us to collect vital evidence such as driver’s license records and safety inspection reports and onboard cameras footage etc. We will also require an expert medical professional to assess your injuries and confirm the severity. This information will be used to determine the total amount of damages you are entitled to receive in the context of negotiating an agreement.