What Are the Average 18 Wheeler Settlements? One of the most frequently asked questions that people who have been involved in truck accidents have is "What are the typical settlements for 18-wheelers?" The amount you receive as settlement is contingent upon a number of factors. This includes the severity of your injuries and the extent of your injuries. What You Can Expect from a Settlement Many factors can impact the value of a settlement from a truck accident. Some of these factors include the severity and duration of your injuries as in addition to the lost wages. Your lawyer may also factor in future medical expenses if you need to continue treatment as a result of your accident. This is typically based on medical experts' testimony or other health care professionals. Your lawyer will also consider the cost of replacing or repairing any property damaged by the accident. In general the settlements for 18 wheelers are significantly higher than standard auto accident settlements. This is due to the fact that truck accidents often cause more serious injuries than typical car crashes. It is also not uncommon for victims to be awarded hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars in total damages. You may also be entitled to damages for non-economic damage in addition to your economic losses. These aren't as quantifiable however they are equally crucial to your recovery. Non-economic losses may include pain and suffering and disfigurement or loss of enjoyment in your life. Your lawyer will calculate all your losses to ensure you get the compensation you are due. This can take some time especially if multiple parties are responsible for the crash. However, a skilled New York truck accident attorney can assist you in settling your claim quickly and fairly. The Benefits of Your Case The value of your 18-wheeler crash case is affected by several factors. Two primary ones are the fault and damages. The importance of fault is that it determines the amount of compensation you're entitled to. In Texas In Texas, you're able to be awarded damages if the other party was at least 50 percent accountable for your collision. However, your attorney may use evidence to prove that the other party was more responsible than you were. This could increase the amount you receive from your settlement substantially. Another element that affects your settlement is the severity of your injuries and losses. The injuries you sustain in an accident with an 18-wheeler tend to be more severe than those sustained in a typical car accident. Trucks can weigh upwards of 85,000 pounds, and the force that they generate is far more than what an average car can manage. The most serious injuries that occur in an accident that involves a large truck could lead to settlements of millions of dollars or more. In addition to the medical expenses of treating your injuries, you may also claim damages for the effects the crash has affected your life quality. This can include pain and discomfort and loss of enjoyment in life, and loss companionship. It is often difficult to quantify the non-economic losses, but our attorneys have vast experience in making and presenting the strongest evidence possible of the financial impact of your crash. How is the time required to receive a settlement? It can take a longer time for a personal injury case to be settled after an accident involving an 18-wheeler because of the degree and frequent nature of injuries. Your attorney will work closely with medical professionals to determine the extent of your injuries, which include current and future medical costs as well as lost wages. Non-economic damages, which may be harder to calculate, will also be included in your settlement. After a settlement has been made, your lawyer will prepare release forms for you to sign. After you've completed them, the insurance company will review your case and issue an amount you agreed to. This process can take weeks or even a month, depending on the circumstances. The amount of blame each party has in the incident will determine the time it will take to receive your settlement. If more than one party was at fault and the parties could have to discuss who is accountable for your injuries. Your lawyer will be able to assist you in these negotiations and help negotiate an acceptable settlement. If the insurance company isn't willing to negotiate with you, then your lawyer is ready to file a suit to get a larger settlement. What Lawyers Can Do to Help More than 100,000 accidents involving 18-wheelers cause injuries every year. Many of these accidents result in settlements or lawsuits worth millions of dollars. Lawyers who specialize in these cases earn an enormous amount of money. Trucking companies have teams of attorneys working every day and night to reduce claims, so victims must have an experienced lawyer by their side. A lawyer can assist victims collect evidence and negotiate their case with insurance companies and even present their case in court to get the maximum settlement. A seasoned attorney will know if they need to pursue other responsible parties for compensation in addition to the trucking company. It could be the car manufacturer in the event that the crash was due to defective or damaged components. This could also include a retailer, distributor or manufacturer if the truck was stolen or sold without proper maintenance or inspections. An experienced attorney will ensure that all damages are properly claimed for past and future medical expenses, lost income and property damage, as well as emotional trauma, and pain and suffering. It is important to submit a claim as soon as possible following the incident to ensure that evidence is fresh and readily available. The delay gives the trucking company and their team of attorneys more time to prepare for trial and convince juror that the victim was at fault.