Unfortunately, given the unique nature of each truck accident when compared to a car accident, there is no average settlement that lawyers and insurance adjusters alike can guarantee their clients. While some firms suggest that you can anticipate 50 to 60 percent of your initial claim after an accident, that doesn’t always ring true. Several factors, such as who is at fault and your state laws about negligence and liability, will have a large impact on your settlement.
Learn more about the factors that impact a settlement for a truck collision case.
Many truck injury victims don’t realize how much loss they can suffer after an accident until it happens to them. Not only will you be dealing with the mental and physical pain you feel after an accident but you will have unexpected financial costs such as medical bills, diminished earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
In short, there is no average settlement for a trucking accident. However, there are common factors that can impact the value of your truck wreck case. These factors include:
The most prominent factor in determining the settlement of a semi-truck accident is the level of bodily harm which occurred. For example, if you get into a minor truck accident that resulted in general back pain and minimal damage to your vehicle, your settlement value will be smaller than that of someone in a tragic truck accident that resulted in the death loved one. Remember, it is critical that after the accident you seek medical attention and call a police officer to the scene. this will allow you to begin the documentation process.
If you or a loved one suffered from the following injuries, you may be able to hold the responsible parties accountable and will see a larger settlement than someone suffering a minor injury:
While some of these injuries do not appear right away, they can have lasting repercussions which can become costly later on. This means your future medical expenses should be covered in the settlement.
After being involved in an auto accident, you likely had to take time off from work to recover. Those lost wages can really take a toll on your family. Not to mention many truck accident victims suffer from such severe injuries that they end up not being able to return to their former positions or return to work at all.
In that case, a truck accident settlement may be able to recover lost current and future wages.
Not all damages have a clear price assigned to them. Non-economic damages you can seek compensation for include:
Collecting a settlement for your non-economic damages can be complicated. But the personal injury attorneys at Regan Zambri Long, PLLC can help you determine an adequate settlement against the at-fault party.
If your accident involves a large truck versus a standard passenger car, it should come as no surprise that your vehicle damage can be extreme. Whether your car is totaled and you now require a new vehicle or your car is in need of serious repair, these damages should be involved in your settlement value.
Losing a loved one is never easy and when a family member dies as a result of someone’s negligence, it can be devastating for the family. In addition to dealing with the costs associated with the accident, the family will also be facing funeral expenses.
If a loved one died as a result of catastrophic injuries from the tractor trailer collision, you may be able to collect damages from a wrongful death case.
If you’ve been involved in a rear end accident involving a truck or another form of collision with a commercial truck, you need to speak with a reputable law firm who can take on the insurance company, the truck drivers, and the trucking company.
As an accident victim, it will be imperative to the value of your settlement and recovery of medical bills that you meet with a personal injury lawyer to put through a personal injury claim.
Immediately after the accident, the insurance company will only want to give you the minimum amount your claim is worth. The insurance sometimes does not take into account any future costs in the settlement offer which means you would be paying out of pocket for any future expenses. But how do you know if the settlement offer is fair?
To get a better idea of how much of a settlement you should be receiving, you will first need to calculate all your expenses. You will need to gather your medical bills, car repairs, lost wages, and any other receipts associated with your accident. This will give you a starting point of knowing the bare minimum of how much the settlement should be.
Calculating the future costs, however, is a little tricky. For example, if your injuries require surgery in the future, you will need to add this cost to your settlement offer. However, you may not know how much the surgery will be until after the fact.
This is why before you even consider a settlement, you should first speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer. A personal injury attorney can not only give you an estimate of how much your claim is worth but will be able to secure you at least the average semi-truck accident settlement.
When the trucking companies try to push you a deal that seems insufficient, know that it likely is. Truck accident cases seldom result in the average truck accident settlement amount–instead, they rely on liability insurance to meet the bare minimum.
However, when you work with a lawyer who specializes in semi-truck accidents, you will not only benefit from the attorney-client relationship, but you can also utilize a free case evaluation to determine if there are multiple parties involved, if the truck driver held an insurance policy to cover accidents involving their time on the job, or if punitive damages may be sought.
If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury, Regan Zambri Long will hold the negligent party accountable. Passenger vehicles are no match to these commercial trucks; truck accident settlements should cover your suffering.
Schedule your free consultation with an experienced attorney by calling (202) 960-4596 or by completing our online form.