What Is the Average Semi-Truck Accident Settlement?

Crashes with 18-wheelers are especially dangerous because big trucks are substantially larger than the average passenger car. Injured people and their families have options after a collision with an 18-wheeler; most choose to file an insurance claim or lawsuit to recover their lost wages, pay for their medical bills, and get compensation for their pain and suffering.

However, the process of getting a fair settlement through a lawsuit or insurance claim is notoriously difficult. Part of the challenge is knowing how much your case is worth and when to accept the insurance company’s offer—or not.

What Is Included in Truck Crash Settlement Amounts?

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a crash with a semi-truck, you probably turned to the internet to research the average crash settlement to know how much your case is worth. You may have used a damage calculator or read articles about the average truck settlement amounts. Unfortunately, the resources you encounter will not be as accurate or helpful as a consultation with an attorney.

The process of calculating your claim’s value is complex, and depends on the unique details of your case. The legal term for these details is “damages,” and can include:

• The cost of your emergency medical care, including any surgeries or hospitalizations
• The cost of your long-term medical needs, including rehabilitation services like occupational therapy or physical therapy
• Mental health services, like counseling or therapy
• Medications
• Mobility aids, like walkers, crutches, wheelchairs
• Home renovations to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, or other equipment
• Lost wages and income if your injuries prevent you from working
• The cost of your totaled vehicle
• Loss of consortium, which is a legal term referring to the loss of the support, companionship, and/or aid of your spouse
• Pain and suffering
• And more, depending on your situation

It’s important to work with an attorney to get a clear picture of your damages because some of the values require special knowledge and understanding of the claims process and law.

For instance, it takes a skilled attorney to understand your medical needs, project the cost of your future care, and correctly calculate the value of your needs through your entire life—not just right now. Unfortunately, all too many victims accept offers that seem high in the moment but aren’t even enough to pay their initial medical bills.

Calculating pain and suffering damages is even more nuanced. Lawyers use years of experience, industry knowledge, and exact equations to find this amount and include it in your truck crash claim.

Mental Health Damages Count, Too

Even though the damage is invisible, mental health injuries can be just as devastating as physical injuries. People suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other mental health issues after a traumatic crash deserve the same kinds of compensation and care as those with devastating physical injuries.

If you’re suffering from invisible mental health issues after a crash, please don’t hesitate to get the help you need. And if you’re worried about the cost of care, remember that this can be included in any insurance claim or lawsuit you file.

There Is No “Average Settlement:” Every Case Is Unique

Unfortunately, there is no reliable figure that can be accurately called an average settlement of a truck crash case. Every accident is different; every trucking company has different insurance policy limits, every victim has different damages, and every legal team has different amounts of experience and skill handling truck crash cases. The settlement you can collect is based on these factors. Even internet articles listing settlement averages can be misleading for these reasons.

To get an accurate picture of what your case is worth, you need to speak to a skilled, experienced truck crash lawyer. Online settlement calculators are notoriously inaccurate, and the insurance company’s goal is to get you to settle for as little as possible, not to tell you the truth about the value of your case. Only an attorney who knows how to handle truck crash cases can help you truly understand what you may be owed and support you in demanding the compensation you deserve.

RELATED: How Do Pre-existing Conditions Affect My 18-Wheeler Crash Claim?

Why Working With an Experienced Lawyer Makes a Difference for Your Case

Why is working with an attorney the most reliable way to get an accurate picture of your case value? Because semi-truck crashes are rarely simple events. More often than not, more than one thing went wrong to cause the crash. Common causes include:

• Driver fatigue
• Under-maintained equipment
• Poorly-made parts
• Loading cargo incorrectly
• Distracted driving
• Failing to pay attention to the road
• Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs

…or more, depending on the details of your accident. When you work with an experienced lawyer, they can investigate every part of your case so you can hold every responsible party accountable.

Understand Your Case Value With Help From the Andy Citrin Team

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we have over 30 years of experience fighting for people hurt in truck crashes in Alabama and Mississippi. We have helped countless clients understand their truck crash claim’s true value and fought tirelessly to demand fair compensation for their suffering.

To learn more about our track record of success or how we could help you and your case, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. To schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys, fill out our convenient online contact form or call our offices at 251-888-8888.

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.