Call Us (337) 433-1414
Call Us (337) 433-1414
The average truck accident settlement is about $150,000, although claimants may see as little as a few hundred dollars or in excess of $1 million. Because trucking accident claims often involve high-value damages for medical expenses and the opportunity for punitive damages, it’s difficult to estimate a good middle-of-the-road number. However, our Lake Charles truck accident attorneys typically settle trucking accident cases for $100,000 to $500,000, although we recently settled one for $750,000.
That being said, even these figures may not accurately reflect the value of your specific claim. Your truck accident settlement amount is contingent on a few factors, including any blame you contributed to the wreck and the degree and permanence of your injuries.
If you have been involved in a truck accident, you could be eligible for a large settlement, but just how much you receive depends on several critical factors. Working with an experienced truck accident lawyer gives you the best chance at a successful recovery.
Liability is the largest factor in calculating truck accident settlements. Louisiana is an at-fault state for vehicle collisions, which means that the driver who caused the wreck is responsible for paying for the property damage, medical bills, and other losses.
Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover compensation, but the amount you receive will be reduced by the percentage of blame you contributed to the wreck. So, the determination of liability will heavily factor into your recovery.
In general, the more severely the victim is injured, the higher their settlement value will be. Trucking accident settlements include compensation for all your medical expenses. For someone who suffered multiple severe injuries or who may need ongoing specialist treatment, such as that required for long-term spinal cord injuries, the medical damages alone can easily top six figures.
The compensation for your non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, is based on the value of your economic damages. For someone who is now permanently disabled, this could be worth quite a lot.
The truck driver’s insurance company (and the trucking company’s, if it’s named as a co-defendant) will likely be paying your settlement. In some cases, the trucker may carry minimal insurance coverage, not enough to cover your total damages. However, this is rare and typically affects high-value claims.
Truck accident cases typically have more complications than car accidents involving two private drivers. First, there are usually multiple defendants. Louisiana law permits plaintiffs to file suit against all parties involved in causing the wreck, so your lawyer will probably file a suit against the trucker and the trucking company.
Additionally, because truck accident claims are so high-value, insurance companies heavily scrutinize them, seeking any reason to minimize the claim or deny it outright. Your case must be strong, based on evidence, expert testimony, and fine points of Louisiana tort laws to be successful.
Most truck accident lawyers front the cost of litigating the case, and assess fees only if they win. So, your lawyer should have the resources necessary to ensure that your case gets the attention it needs.
Not all lawyers have the resources to litigate complex truck accident claims or the experience necessary to build a solid case, so choose your legal representation carefully.
If you’ve been involved in a commercial truck accident, you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Truck accident settlements can be complex, especially when multiple parties and high medical expenses are involved.
If you’ve been hurt in a commercial truck accident, our attorneys can help you get full and fair compensation for your damages. Call The Johnson Firm today at (337) 433-1414 for a free consultation.