What Are the Average 18 Wheeler Settlements?
The average settlement for 18-wheelers is one of the most frequently-asked questions by people involved in truck accidents.
The amount you get in settlement is contingent upon a number of factors. 18 wheeler accident attorney fort smith of your injuries, and the amount of damages you've sustained are all factors to consider.
What to Expect from the Settlement
Many factors can impact the value of a settlement from an accident involving a truck. Some of these include the severity and length of your injuries as well as the loss of wages. In addition, your lawyer may take into account future medical costs if you will require ongoing medical attention due to your accident. This is usually dependent on the testimony of doctors or other medical experts. Additionally, your lawyer will also take into consideration the cost to repair or replace any property damaged in the crash.
In general the majority of cases, settlements for 18-wheeler crashes are higher than settlements for normal auto accidents. Truck accidents are more likely to cause serious injuries than car accidents. It is also not uncommon for victims to suffer hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars in total damages.
You will also be entitled compensation for non-economic losses in addition to your economic losses. These are less quantifiable losses however they are equally important to your recovery. For example, your non-economic losses might include your pain and suffering as well as loss of enjoyment of life, or even disfigurement. Your lawyer will determine all your losses in order to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. This can take a long time particularly if several parties are at fault for the incident. A New York truck accident lawyer can help you settle the claim quickly and fairly.
The Importance of Your Case
The value of your 18-wheeler accident case is determined by many factors. Damages and fault are the two most important. It is crucial to be able to identify fault, as it determines the amount of compensation you're entitled to.
In Texas, you can only claim damages if the liable party was at least 50% responsible for your collision. However, your attorney may use evidence to prove that the other party was much more responsible than you were. This could increase your settlement amount significantly.
The extent of your injuries or losses will also affect the amount you can expect to receive. The injuries you experience in the event of a collision with an 18-wheeler tend to be more severe than those suffered in a typical car accident. This is due to the fact that trucks weigh more than 80,000 pounds, which multiplied by the speed of travel produces far more force than a typical passenger vehicle can withstand.
So the most serious injuries sustained in an accident involving a massive truck can lead to significant or even multi-million dollar settlements. You may be able to recover damages not just for medical expenses associated with your injuries but also for the impact of the collision on your quality-of-life. This includes discomfort and pain as well as loss of enjoyment from life, and loss of companionship. It can be difficult to quantify these non-economic damages however our attorneys have vast experience in providing the best possible evidence of the financial impact of your accident.
The time it takes to Receive the Settlement
It may take longer for an injury claim to be settled after an accident with an 18-wheeler as a result of the extent and the frequency of injuries. Your lawyer will work with medical experts to determine the full extent of your damages, including both current and future medical costs and lost wages. Non-economic damages, which can be difficult to calculate are also included in your settlement.
Your lawyer will prepare the release forms that you have to sign after a settlement has been made. Once you've completed them the insurance company will review your case and issue the amount agreed upon. The process could take from up to up to a month for a variety of reasons, such as clerical mistakes and delays in the mail system.
A major factor in determining how long it takes to receive your settlement is the percentage of fault attributed to each of the parties involved in the crash. In cases where there was more than one person responsible, it could be necessary to negotiate who is responsible for the injuries. Your lawyer will guide you through the negotiation process and help you reach an equitable settlement. If the insurance company is unwilling to negotiate with you, your lawyer will be ready to file a lawsuit to secure a greater monetary settlement.
What can a lawyer do to help
Over 100,000 accidents involving 18-wheelers result in injuries each year. Many of these accidents result in settlements or lawsuits worth millions of dollars. Lawyers who specialize in these cases earn a lot of money.
Trucking companies have whole teams of attorneys working every day and night to reduce claims, which is why victims should have an experienced lawyer by their side. A lawyer can help victims gather evidence and negotiate with insurance companies and even argue in court to secure the maximum settlement.
An experienced lawyer will be aware of whether they should pursue other responsible parties for compensation in addition to the trucking company. This could include a car manufacturer if the crash was caused by defective or faulty components. It might also include a retailer or distributor if the truck was stolen or sold with no proper inspections and maintenance.
A competent attorney will ensure that the damages are correctly claimed including future and past medical expenses as well as lost income, property damage, emotional trauma and other expenses. It is crucial to submit your claim as soon following the accident as soon as you can to ensure that all evidence is fresh. Waiting gives the trucking firm and their team of attorneys more time to prepare for the trial and convince a jury that the victim was responsible.