Did you know that 18 wheeler truck accident settlements range from a few thousand dollars to $10,000,000? These amounts are so high because semi-truck accidents are far more dangerous than average car accidents: 18 wheelers have a greater chance of killing you with the additional weight, density, and potential chemical cargo. Your injuries and long-term recovery are worse off than anyone else if you find yourself in a life-threatening truck crash, but the amount you can get back increases exponentially.

When medical bills, wage losses, and a totaled vehicle all add up, you will need more funds than most auto accident victims do. We believe in helping you get the highest settlement and learn about 18 wheeler accident settlements so you can obtain the full and justified compensation you deserve.

What is an 18-Wheeler Truck Accident Settlement?

An 18 wheeler truck accident settlement is the amount the defendant’s insurance company will payout for your unexpected bills. It is a process where you and an insurance adjuster will argue a settlement amount based on your specific case details. You can fight for your settlement amount by yourself or with the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer that speaks both legal and insurance languages.

Your 18 wheeler settlement will depend upon various evidence the adjustor considers while writing your offer letter. Medical bills are one example that is likely on the forefront of your mind, especially if you roll over in pain in your adjustable hospital bed right now. These expenses only grow as after-accident treatments, checkups, and surgeries continue, making you eligible for a larger dollar amount to pay for them.

Other crucial factors that your opposing insurance adjustor equates to your settlement amount are lost wages and pain and suffering. Both are related to your medical bills and the physical/emotional/financial losses you experience from the tractor-trailer crash. Motor vehicle damages and property damages also affect your total settlement, and often the defendant will often replace everything rather than repair them. A majority of 18 wheeler accidents completely total vehicles and demolish personal belongings without leaving anything intact.

18-Wheeler Settlement in Probate

Your 18 wheeler accident settlement will never arrive in court unless you and the other insurance company cannot find a resolution. But if you feel they are cheating you with a low offer letter while you are in a vulnerable position (physical injuries, trauma recovery, etc.), you can sue the at-fault driver and take them to a trial by jury.

Also, you and the insurance adjuster cannot reject each other’s settlement positions forever: the legal system will have to step in and rule a decision. The jury can increase or decrease your amount by reevaluating factors that created the amount, such as who the liable party was, regardless of what brought you before them.

Common Injuries After an 18-Wheeler Accident

Since fully-loaded 18 wheelers can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, they can cause you and your family severe physical injuries. There are many different kinds you should look for if you are in an 18 wheeler truck accident since each injury requires different financial compensation. The physical suffering you experience will affect drastically whether the truck driver or responsible party has to pay you more or less in your final settlement.

  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Dismemberments and permanent disfigurements
  • Shoulder injuries
  • Nerve damage
  • Back pain
  • Wrongful death, when the accident is fatal

What is the Average Settlement Amount of an 18 Wheeler Accident?

There are sadly no standard settlement amounts for 18 wheeler accidents, since the law respects the unique nature of every personal injury case. The only way to discover what your settlement amount could potentially be is to discuss with the liable party’s insurance adjuster, who will give you a specific number to the dollar. However, a truck accident attorney can give your settlement estimate before you speak with an adjuster, helping you see past their low offer and deception. The judge will decide on the settlement in the end, despite any average 18 wheeler amounts you find on a blog or law firm website.

Several key factors affect your final 18 wheeler accident payout, such as the severity of your injuries, your total post-accident medical expenses, your pain and suffering, etc. You will need to collect this evidence from the accident, your vehicle repair shop, and your hospital to combat an adjustor that is lowballing your settlement.

How Long Does an 18 Wheeler Accident Settlement Take?

The defendant can purposefully drag on you obtaining your best settlement by extending the process. For example, the trucking company could minimize their liabilities and shift as much blame onto you as possible, so you or a commercial truck accident lawyer should start collecting evidence as soon as possible.

The reverse is also true, where the opposing insurance adjustor can rush an offer letter while you are recovering in the hospital and repairing your vehicle. They understand your vulnerable position and base their settlement amount on current evidence. Their figure will not often account for injuries, surgeries, and appointment costs that would develop likely in the future. They manipulate the situation to make it seem like they are doing you a favor when in reality they are taking advantage of you and cheating you out of what you deserve.

Finally, your own injuries and recovery could prolong the process, from anywhere between a few weeks to several years. More often than not, this fact is true if you are in and out of surgery, unconscious, or in a coma, which impairs your critical thinking. Your family or truck accident lawyer will suggest waiting to file a truck accident claim in these circumstances until your treatment plan is complete.

You Need an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

When you keep the most common factors to your settlement amount in mind, the kinds of injuries you have and the basic settlement process, you can work toward getting your best settlement. If you have suffered immense physical injuries or even lost a loved one, you deserve compensation and justice that the opposing party will avoid as much as possible. That’s why we recommend working with an experienced truck accident lawyer that understands how to work around their legal technicalities and upholds justice.

Our personal injuries care more about you and your family than a paycheck, which is why we offer you a free consultation before you ever pay us anything. We’re committed to making results happen in the courtroom and getting your truck accident case settled with laser focus. If you are interested in working with our team, call our office at (334).269.3230.