If you have been injured in a Louisville Tractor Trailer Accident and are considering legal action, you may wonder if you should take your claim to trial. The answer to your question depends on your financial situation and the nature of your case. Tractor trailer accidents are complicated; you can sue a number of potential defendants, such as:
* The truck’s driver
* The owner of the vehicle, trailer or the trucking company
* The maker of the truck and its components
* The loader/shipper
* The owner of property contributing to the accident and your injuries
* The tractor/truck’s insurer
If you and your lawyer decide to sue multiple parties for your injuries, those defendants may try to shift the blame with cross-claims. Litigation is complicated further by the federal and state laws regulating large trucks, and by the fact that more than one state’s laws can apply to a particular accident.
Taking Your Claim to Trial
Once you file a personal injury suit, taking the claim to court can be a lengthy process. It can take up to a year to prove that another party was responsible for the Louisville Tractor Trailer Accident that caused your property damage and injuries. While your case is working its way through the system, lawyers on both sides engage in the discovery process, where they obtain information and documentation.
These cases can be very costly. While your trucking accident attorney would not take your case if it had no merit, depending on your contract, you may have to pay expenses during the case. The longer your case takes, the more you will pay.
Settling your Trucking Accident Lawsuit
Many trucking accidents settle out of court. While jury awards may be more than the other side offers in a settlement, that offer is usually the fastest way to get compensation for your losses. You’re also likely to pay less in legal expenses. When deciding whether to take your case to trial or to settle out of court, you should consider your financial need and your level of patience.
