If you suffered injuries and property damage in a truck accident, there is no such thing as the average settlement for a truck accident case, as every case is unique. A settlement will depend on the extent of your injuries and the circumstances around your accident.
Generally, accidents with big and heavy commercial trucks can cause great damage to property and to any car occupants involved in the accident. Since injuries can be catastrophic and fatal, and there could be several liable parties in an accident, truck accident settlements can potentially be much higher than the settlements typically seen in car accidents. However, it is difficult to generalize as no two truck accidents are the same.
If you would like to find out what type of settlement you could expect in your specific truck accident case, you can consult with a truck accident lawyer for advice. A truck accident lawyer not only knows the federal and state laws governing trucking companies, regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), but they have also likely seen many other truck accident cases and settlements and will be able to draw on their experience in advising you.
Liability in Truck Accident Cases
Before you can receive a settlement and compensation, you will need to determine the at-fault party and prove fault. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), truck drivers contribute to a large number of accidents by driving distractedly or under the influence of alcohol, for example. Too much speed also ranks high on driver-related causes for truck accidents, according to the NHTSA.
However, there can be many different causes of accidents with trucks, for example:
- Incorrectly loaded cargo.
- Defects of the truck or any truck parts.
- Substandard maintenance, repair, or servicing of trucks.
- Poorly trained or unqualified drivers.
Finding out who is ultimately liable in a truck accident can be challenging and may require a considerable amount of research as well as potentially the opinion of expert witnesses. Several parties might share liability. While a truck driver could be liable when driving fatigued or distracted, a truck company could also be partially responsible for rushing drivers or asking them to skip rest periods.
A third-party vendor could also be responsible and liable for your accident, for example, a mechanic who failed to notice a brake or tire problem.
Determining liability in a truck accident can be a complicated and lengthy process. Truck accidents can vary greatly, and while in one case, the driver could be solely liable, in another, there could be several liable parties. All these factors can ultimately influence the settlement amount that an accident victim might receive.
Truck Accident Settlements
In calculating the value of any settlement, several factors will come into play, including the severity of a victim’s injuries. Generally, the settlement for someone who has suffered extensive injuries and will need comprehensive and lengthy medical treatments is typically higher than that of someone who has only minor injuries. Other damages that can be available and may factor into an overall settlement can be:
- Cost of medical treatments
- Lost wages
- Loss of enjoyment
- Emotional or physical pain and suffering
- Property damage
There could be other damages available in your particular case.
You could also receive punitive damages in addition to any compensation if the liable party acted in a willfully reckless way in causing your accident.
Since there is no average settlement for a truck accident, and any settlement and compensation for an accident victim depends on the circumstances of a specific accident and injuries, speaking to a truck accident lawyer can help you determine what you could receive.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Can Work for You
If you suffered injuries in an accident with a truck and would like to find out whether you could receive a settlement for your injuries and property damage, contact us. We can help determine liability in your case and can advise you on whether you should accept any insurance settlements or whether a personal injury lawsuit might be more appropriate for you.
The liable party or their insurance may approach you and offer you a settlement, but bear in mind that they are working in their interests and will most likely try to keep any payouts low. Before you agree to anything, it could be in your best interest to speak with a truck accident lawyer to ensure you are getting what you deserve.
We can help to protect you and work for you. If you decide to work with us, there are no upfront attorney’s fees as we only get paid when we win your case. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444.