Semi Truck Accident Litigation

If you're seeking information about semi truck settlements in accidents, be aware that each case is unique. There is no settlement calculator or average.

One of the most important steps in a semi truck accident lawsuit is to investigate and collect evidence. This includes contacting witnesses and conducting an investigation into the crash scene.

Preparation

In any accident, collecting evidence and investigating its causes is the first step. The more information that you provide the better your lawyer can build a case for you to get you the right amount of compensation. In the case of accidents involving semi-trucks this may involve investigating the truck driver, the company they work for, as well as their history of violations. It could also involve determining whether they were under any pressure to meet deadlines. This could also include reviewing the black box data of the vehicle and footage from the dash camera.

Interviews with eyewitnesses or experts as well as other experts should be part of a thorough investigation. It should also take into account any government records that pertain to the road on which the crash took place. If, for instance the highway was maintained and was a contributing factor to the crash by an agency of the public sector, the victim may be able to establish the responsibility of the entity.

Settlement negotiations are the next step. This usually happens after your injuries have stabilized, but may take longer if the severity of the injuries is high or if the parties responsible would like to prolong the proceedings. A good semi truck accident lawyer knows how to fight back against any unreasonable offers and negotiate a fair settlement that accounts for your past and anticipated future costs.

If a settlement can't be reached, the case will proceed to trial. The trial could last between four and six weeks but your attorney will be certain that you are prepared to go to trial, including the preparation for jury selection and your testimony.

Depending on the severity of your injuries your lawyer might have to depose you and other witnesses. This is an intimidating procedure, but it's important to obtain all the facts from those who know what transpired. Your attorney will prepare you for the deposition so that you are able to answer questions with honesty while protecting your rights. Your attorney will prepare witnesses for expert testimony and a possible deposition from the opposing counsel.

Discovery

Discovery is the legal procedure of gathering facts and evidence to back your claim. In most courts, your lawyer will obtain information from the person responsible and other parties involved in your accident. The tools for discovery that your lawyer can utilize include interrogatories, production requests of documents, requests for admissions, and depositions.

The defendant or their attorney must answer the questions within a certain time frame. They can only ask questions relevant to the matter, so they cannot be invasive or harassing. They are not permitted to request information that isn't relevant to the particular case, for instance medical records from an earlier accident.

A request for production is a request in writing for any document related to your case the defendant has under their control. This could include anything from their vehicle logs to their employer's policies. It could also be information stored in the black storage box on their truck.

Injuries from accidents that involve large commercial vehicles could be devastating. There is a chance that you will suffer permanent physical limitations or even a decreased quality of life. It is important that your injury lawyer has access to all of the facts and evidence about the accident and the injuries you sustained and the damages you suffered.

All of the evidence supporting your claim for injuries and suffering, loss of wages medical bills, and other future losses is crucial to prove your case. Your lawyer may require witnesses or police records, as well as other documentation to prove the extent of your injury.

A collision with a semi-truck may cause serious injuries, for example blunt abdominal trauma that can damage the liver, spleen and pancreas. Broken ribs can cause internal damage and puncture the lungs.

The loss of a family member due to an accident with an 18-wheeler is a tragedy. In addition to the loss of their life, you could be experiencing massive grief, financial losses and the inability of enjoying your life without them. The wrongful death lawsuit seeks compensation for all the losses. This can include compensation for funeral costs as well as loss of inheritance, loss of companionship and enjoyment of life that your deceased loved ones experienced during their lifetime.

Negotiation

The amount of compensation you receive after an accident involving a semi-truck is determined by the degree of your injuries as well as the totality of your damages. Damages include medical bills lost earnings and loss of future earning potential, property losses in addition to pain and suffering and more. It is difficult to assign an appropriate amount of money to these types of losses but Matt's extensive experience allows him to determine all your options for recovery and get the most favorable settlement for your claim.

Typically claims for injuries sustained in a crash with a semi truck will involve informal discussions between your lawyer and the insurance company that represents the defendant or their employer. An experienced attorney can help you convince the insurance company to raise their initial offer and reveal compensation that otherwise would be missed.

For instance, if your injuries have made you miss out on opportunities to take part in the activities you enjoy or have negatively impacted your quality life, this can be a crucial aspect of your case that might be overlooked by less skilled lawyers who only focus on your current medical bills and property damage. Matt takes the time to talk to your doctors and enlist expert witnesses to accurately take into account every one of your current and future losses to maximize your settlement.

It is important to start developing a case quickly because evidence can disappear over time. In addition, witness statements could be unreliable if not recorded within a reasonable period of time after the crash.

It could take from months to several years to settle a case, particularly if multiple parties are at fault and the defending party or parties are not willing to accept responsibility or dispute your claims. It may take longer if your case is brought to trial. A lawyer can speed up the process by having a discussion with the other party and their insurance company or participating in formal alternative dispute settlement procedures like non-binding arbitral or mediation.

Trial

In some instances, a truck accident may involve multiple parties responsible. In this instance it is important to examine the accident to determine the responsibility of all the parties involved. Our firm can review evidence to identify potential responsible parties such as the trucking firms and drivers. We can also conduct an investigation to better understand the incident and find additional witnesses.

In many instances, the parties will resolve the matter outside of court. This can save everyone a lot of time and money, and is in the best interests of everyone involved. However, if the settlement is not reached and the case proceeds to trial, our New York semi truck accident lawyers are ready to defend your rights.

We will communicate on your behalf with the insurance company of the party responsible to prevent them using anything you say during your trial against you. Insurance adjusters and defense lawyers for the at-fault side are often described by their clients as "wolves in sheepskins." They will try to convince you to make a statement that they can use against you. By letting us handle all communications with the insurance companies, you can concentrate on improving your performance and be assured that your statements won't be used against you at trial.

Trucking accidents can cause substantial damages, such as medical bills loss of wages, as well as pain and discomfort. To ensure you receive the highest amount of compensation our team will work with your doctor and other experts to determine the full extent of your losses. This includes calculating your current and future losses, including your inability to return work and losing consortium.

You must bring a lawsuit in the time before the statute of limitations expires, or you will lose your right to pursue damages. Our New York truck accident attorneys can begin preparing your claim once we've been retained. We will put in the effort to file the claim within the timeframes required.

After a truck crash or loss of a loved one, it is crucial to act swiftly because evidence may disappear in time. We can also contact eyewitnesses to obtain their accounts, before they forget. We are also able to depose friends, family members or expert witnesses you would like to testify on your behalf.