What is the Average 18-Wheeler Truck Accident Settlement?

Published on: 11/19/22 — In 

If you or a family member has been injured in a semi-tractor trailer or 18-wheeler accident, you may find yourself facing high medical bills and significant financial losses. Injuries sustained in a crash involving a large vehicle can often lead to permanent disability. Even if your injuries aren’t severe, they could leave you unable to work for months or longer. You should contact an experienced Chicago trucking accident law firm immediately after being involved in a serious accident. An experienced lawyer can help you recover compensation for your damages.

Illinois truck accident attorney Chris Ktenas

Factors That Impact a Semi-Truck Settlement

Trucking companies often hire new employees who don't know their way around the trucks. They're not used to driving them, so they may be too tired to pay attention to road conditions or traffic signals.

Another reason for semi-truck accidents involves bad roads. Heavy snowfall and heavy rains can make the road slick. These types of conditions can also decrease drivers' vision, which makes it harder to see what's ahead of them.

Steps After a Semi-Truck Accident

Semi-trailer truck accidents can be scary and traumatic, so it's important to stay safe when you're driving away from an accident. Once you've moved away from danger, call the police and then let them know there are injured people involved. Let the dispatcher know that there may be injured people involved so he or she can send help.

An officer will be able to file an accident investigation form after collecting the necessary information from both vehicles involved in the crash. You may want to ask the other driver for their contact info so you can follow up later.

18-wheeler flipped on its side, 18-Wheeler Truck Accident Settlement

If you want to get an idea of what happened, it is best to look at the accident report. You might need to wait until the report comes out before you can see if there was any damage to the truck. Also, you could ask the driver if he has insurance so you know who to contact.

Common Semi-Truck Injuries

The more serious your injuries are, the greater your potential cash value will likely be, for example, someone who has had traumatic brain damage will have a higher potential cash value than someone with a soft tissue cervical and lumbar spine and lower extremity sprain/strain that healed with physical therapies in eight to ten weeks

Another critical factor in deciding whether to settle a trucking case is how much money you can get back. However, your potential recovery will be reduced by your percentage of the responsibility. For example, if the jury finds you were 30% responsible, you may only recover 70% of your losses. On the other hand, if they find you were 51% responsible, you won’t get any money.

You may be entitled to other types of damages as the injured party too, including:

  • Rehabilitation
  • Emotional trauma (severe injuries/quality of life/loss of companionship)
  • Vehicle damages (property damage)
  • Loss of consortium
  • Pain and suffering

FAQ: What to do after a truck accident?

How much pain and suffering you experienced determines how much compensation you'll get. You should consult a lawyer about what kind of compensation you're entitled to based on your situation. For example, if you were injured because someone else was negligent, you might not be able to recover any money unless they caused your injuries. However, if you were injured due to your own negligence, then you could potentially sue them for compensation.

Every injury is unique, so it’s important to understand that not everything can be claimed. If you want to learn more about what else you might be able to recover from an auto insurance company, you may want to talk to an Illinois injury lawyer today!

Average Commercial Truck Accident Settlement

The average cost of a trucking incident varies widely depending on the severity of injuries sustained. Injuries resulting in death or permanent disability are typically covered under workers' compensation laws, meaning that the employer pays for medical expenses and lost wages. Minor injuries often require the driver to take time off work, and if he or she cannot return to full duty within a certain period of time, then the company must pay for temporary replacement services. Even though the injured party receives money through workers' comp, the process can be lengthy and complicated.

Insurance companies often try to avoid compensating victims because they know how expensive it is to replace drivers and maintain fleets. That’s why it’s crucial to hire a lawyer who specializes in personal injury cases. An experienced lawyer knows how to negotiate settlements with insurance companies and can ensure that you receive fair compensation for your losses.

18-wheeler wrecked on the side of the road

There isn't an exact number for the average trucking injury lawsuit payout. Some settlements are worth less than $100,000 while some are worth millions.

The amount of money you can get paid for writing varies depending on:

You might want to contact an auto accident lawyer, as mentioned earlier. They can help you understand what to anticipate and how much they think your case is worth.

When Will I Be Paid?

Trucking companies usually don't know when they will receive a settlement offer from another party involved in an accident. However, because semi-trucks, tractors, and other large trucks are so big and are often used by commercial entities, settling a claim for one of these kinds of injuries can be more difficult than usual.

If you're offered a quick and easy payment by an insurance adjuster, don't take it right away. You could end up settling for less than you deserve if you don't get a thorough evaluation from a doctor or lawyer.

The seriousness of the injury makes a big difference. A minor injury may not be enough to slow down the healing time. However, if the victim has been injured severely, it could take longer for them to recover.

FAQ: When should you get a lawyer for a truck accident?

Many people who get into car accidents do not realize how serious they were until they see the bills coming in. They might think that they could handle paying for their own medical care, but they soon find out that they cannot afford to pay for everything themselves. When they try to figure out how much money they owe, they discover that they have no idea how much their medical bills are costing them each month. These bills can add up quickly, so it is important to know exactly how much your medical bills cost you every month. You should also keep track of any insurance payments that you make because those can help you calculate how much you owe.

After the accident, it usually doesn't take long for an injured person to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. However, most lawsuits are settled out of court before they reach trial.

For more information about Truck driver accidents, contact a truck accident attorney at Ktenas Injury Attorneys today. The truck accident lawyers at this law firm will go over your semi-truck accident case review for free.

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