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If you are involved in a rear-end accident involving a truck driver, you likely have a lot of concerns.
How long does a settlement take? Will I receive adequate compensation? How much money can I recover for the damages? Who even pays for this?
While there is no defined answer to any of these questions, a truck accident attorney can help navigate the facts of your case and get you the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Read on to learn how much a rear-end truck accident is worth.
A rear-end truck accident can be incredibly serious, resulting in severe or even life-threatening injuries. By seeking legal representation early on, your case is much more likely to succeed.
According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, 4,014 people died in large truck crashes in 2020. When comparing what types of accidents caused the most fatalities, 23% of the fatalities involved the front of the passenger vehicle striking the rear of the large truck.
Many rear-end truck accidents occur because of the trucks’ braking capability. A tractor-trailer requires a greater distance to stop than cars, but with bad weather conditions or poorly maintained brakes, more distance will be necessary to stop.
Another main factor of a rear-end truck accident is driver fatigue. Truck drivers often drive long hours with little to no sleep. Although there are federal regulations that prevent truck drivers from being on the road for a certain number of hours, truck drivers often ignore these regulations in order to meet deadlines or are told by the trucking company to keep driving.
Other causes of a rear-end truck accident include:
How much money you can get for a rear-end truck accident comes down to a variety of factors. Your truck accident lawyer will be able to review your economic and non-economic damages to see how much money you can get for a rear-end truck accident.
In general, the following factors can impact how much compensation you may receive:
Since each truck accident case is different, there is no average settlement amount you can receive from a rear-end accident case. However, some victims receive anywhere from thousands of dollars to six- or seven-figure settlements.
Most rear-end truck accidents are settled out of court. However, that doesn’t mean that the process will conclude in mere weeks.
A rear-end accident settlement can take months to years to settle depending on the factors of the case.
Should your claim go to trial, the amount of time taken to reach a settlement or a verdict will extend.
In addition, if you suffer severe injuries including back and neck injuries, chronic physical pain, traumatic brain injury, broken bones, etc., and need to undergo physical therapy after the accident happened, you likely will incur future medical costs to recover.
To get the most money after being rear ended, you’ll want to seek legal representation right away from a truck accident lawyer or car accident attorney.
Your attorney will be able to calculate all of your losses from physical damage and injury, to the emotional toll and even lost wages to come to a car accident settlement. An attorney can also get the evidence needed to prove who is at fault for the crash and will negotiate with the insurance companies to make sure you are properly compensated.
Depending on the state you are in when involved in a rear-end collision, will ultimately determine who pays for the damage.
The bottom line comes from liability distribution.
Your insurance company and the insurance companies of the truck driver and trucking company may come forward and foot some of the cost for damage and medical treatment depending on who is the at-fault driver.
However, if wrongful death occurs, or the insurance policy has limits, you may need to sue the driver themselves.
Remember, the insurance company will likely try to minimize your suffering to settle at a lesser amount, sometimes classifying it as insurance policy limits, diminishing your catastrophic injuries.
Further, if you are without legal representation, the insurance company may try to settle quickly to get you locked in at a lesser amount and to end your ability to sue in the future.
You hold insurance so if you are involved in an accident, you have financial coverage for your losses.
However, insurance adjusters will seize on the opportunity to settle early if they know you are without legal representation.
Securing a personal injury attorney for your truck accident claim will offer you added protection by establishing an attorney-client relationship.
If you have been involved in a rear-end truck accident and are wondering what your case is worth, you need to contact Regan Zambri Long immediately for legal advice and a free case evaluation.
Our team will evaluate your non-economic damages and economic damages to come to a settlement value. Health insurance will only cover so much for car accidents, and there are often policy limits and a cap on workers’ compensation benefits.
Our Washington, DC law firm will work with you to earn the most compensation possible for your loss and suffering. If you live in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia, call today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Schedule your free consultation by calling (202) 960-4746 or completing our online form. Our personal injury lawyers are here to help.
