When it comes to accidents, nothing is as horrific as those involving trucks. That’s not to say that other mishaps are not distressing. But the sheer size of trucks means the effects are significant.
Truck accidents almost always result in property damage. A large number end in serious injuries or fatalities though. These types of accidents also happen more often than you’d expect. There were 523,796 accidents involving large trucks in 2021. It was quite a jump from the 415,444 accidents in 2020. Most of the fatalities from truck accidents involved semi-trailers.
A harrowing experience like a truck accident could result in a long hospital stay. There might be ongoing treatment and therapy to consider. It’s why accident victims should have a truck accident attorney. They will need these professionals to help them build a strong case.
A trucking accident lawsuit often ends with a settlement. It’s because both parties know it’s better and easier to forego a trial. It’s time-consuming and expensive. A court case also leaves the trucking company and the plaintiff no room to negotiate. Both parties will have to abide by what the judge decides. The trucking company could end up paying millions. The flip side is the victim could also become left with nothing.
Every case is different though. There are no fixed truck accident settlements and verdicts. Data shows that the average settlement amount for these cases is around $73,000. There are factors that will affect truck accident settlements and verdicts though. Here’s what truck accident attorneys will look into when making their case.
Extent of Damage and Injuries
This is one of the factors in determining truck accident settlements and verdicts. The attorney or judge will look into the severity of the plaintiff’s injuries.
Many victims of truck accidents suffer neck and back injuries. Spinal cord injuries are also common. This can result in partial or complete paralysis. Head and brain injuries also happen a lot. Sometimes it’s only a bruise or a mild concussion. The unfortunate ones suffer traumatic brain injuries that have lasting effects. A lot of truck accidents also lead to amputation and/or disfigurement. Internal injuries are also not unheard of.
These injuries can become devastating for the victim. These can cost them their health and well-being. They might even lose their careers.
Location of the Accident
Not all truck accidents are the driver’s fault. The other party might carry some of the blame. There might be other mitigating circumstances as well. Where the incident happened also affects truck accident settlements and verdicts.
Some states have a comparative negligence or contributory negligence law. This means the settlement will become reduced if the victim is also at fault and found liable. There are other legislations in play as well.
Some states have a Pure Fault Law. The victim can still push for damages even if they were at fault for the accident. There’s also the No-Fault Law. States that enforce this law demand drivers to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP). The PIP means neither party can sue the other, regardless of who’s to blame. Some areas have a Modified Comparative Fault Law. It allows the plaintiff to pursue damages if they were responsible for 50% of the collision. This means where you live will have an impact on your lawsuit.
Medical Expenses and Recovery
The best truck accident lawyer will also push to include your medical expenses. This will cover every expense, from the ambulance ride to the hospital stay. It will include any surgery costs and assistive technology.
The length and extent of your recovery and treatment are also factors to consider. Your truck accident lawyer will also account if you’re going to recover 100% or not.
Lawyers Defined by Honesty and Integrity
The trial attorneys of Warner and Warner are the perfect example of what a lawyer should be. We’re one of the top law firms in the Sunshine State. We handle cases with honesty and integrity. We’re also passionate and dedicated to giving our clients justice. It’s what we bring to the table as we handle complex litigation. We handle nursing home neglect cases and defective product cases. We also take on wrongful death and car accident cases. But our specialty is medical malpractice cases and personal injury lawsuits. You can reach us here or at 321-450-7928. We offer free case reviews.