If you have been in a serious Iowa semi-truck crash, you may have reached out to an experienced Iowa truck accident lawyer to see what your options were. If you have had a free initial consultation, the attorney probably told you that you have a limited amount of time to settle your claim or file a lawsuit.
Iowa Statute of Limitations in Truck Crash Cases
In Iowa, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit or settle your case. This is known as the statute of limitations.
Trucking accident claims are very different than “regular” car accident cases. In this type of claim, the truck driver and the trucking company who hurt you can start legally destroying documents related to the crash as early as six months after an accident. While you are still healing from your injuries, the truck company can get rid of important records like maintenance reports and driver logs.
The loss of this evidence can be damaging to your case – yet most attorneys don’t know about it. That’s why we recommend finding an experienced Iowa semi-truck crash lawyer for a free consultation about your case. A skilled attorney knows the ins and outs of trucking cases and will explain what will be best for your claim.
Who You Can Sue for Your Tractor-Trailer Accident Injuries
Another crucial thing to know about semi-truck accident claims is that you may be entitled to sue more than just the truck driver who caused the wreck. The parties who bear responsibility for your accident may extend beyond the person in the driver’s seat. To get all the compensation you deserve, you may need to sue:
- The company who hired the truck driver
- The company who is responsible for the truck maintenance
- The company who owns the tractor
- The company who owns the trailer
Figuring out who needs to be part of your lawsuit can be complex, and is best left to an attorney who has handled truck claims before.
Hiring an Expert for Your Iowa Semi-Truck Crash Claim
Because of the sheer size of a semi-truck, it’s likely you suffered serious injuries – or a loved one was even killed. To get the truth about why a wreck occurred, it’s often necessary to hire a truck expert.
Experts can study the following that may have been a factor in your crash:
- Damage patterns on your vehicle or the other vehicles involved in the crash to find out how the collision occurred
- Conditions on the day of the crash to see if the truck driver was driving too fast or recklessly for the weather
- Skid marks to determine the speed of your vehicle and the semi-truck
Having an expert opinion on your case can mean a better chance of compensation for your harm and losses – but it’s one of the many reasons why you should speak with an Iowa semi-truck accident attorney as soon as possible.
Your job is to heal from your injuries. Our job is to fight for fairness for you.
To get a free, no-obligation case evaluation from one of our experienced semi-truck crash lawyers, call RSH Legal today at 1-800-433-0283.
