What Is the Average Settlement for a Semi-Truck Accident?

Accidents involving semi-trucks, or 18-wheelers, can be catastrophic. In the worst cases, they’re fatal.

If you’ve been in a truck crash, you might be wondering how much your claim could be worth. How is compensation determined? And how can you be sure an offer is fair? Below, our attorneys discuss average truck accident settlements in NY and NJ.

Semi-Truck Accidents

A semi-truck accident is any road accident involving an 18-wheeler. It could involve other motor vehicles or be a single-vehicle crash. Common types of semi-truck accidents include sideswipes, jackknifing, rollovers, and head-on collisions

Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents

Semi-truck crashes happen for various reasons. However, common reasons for 18-wheeler crashes are:

• Driver fatigue
• Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol
• Equipment failure
• Improper maintenance
• Driver error
• Speeding
• Poorly secured loads

Sometimes, the truck driver causes the crash. On other occasions, the crash may be due to a truck malfunction e.g. engine failure. The trucking company may also be responsible, if they fail to maintain the trucks or force drivers to work fatigued.

Semi-Truck Accident Injuries

Truck accident victims may sustain severe injuries. This is due to the size, scale, and weight of semi-trucks or 18-wheelers. Common injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Cuts and lacerations
• Head trauma
• Internal organ damage
• Neck and spine injuries
• Soft tissue damage

Truck crashes may cause life-changing injuries such as paralysis or limb loss. And if you lose a loved one in a truck crash, our wrongful death attorneys can help.

Semi-Truck Accident Compensation

There are two ways to pursue compensation after a truck crash:

• Through an insurance settlement; and
• By making a personal injury claim.

Most semi-truck settlements begin by filing an insurance claim. You should file an accident report within 10 days of the crash, and file your insurance claim within 30 days of the accident.

If you’re injured, and your coverage is not enough to cover your losses, you may have a personal injury claim. Personal injury claims compensate you for losses including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

You only have three years from the accident date to make a personal injury claim. The sooner you file, the easier it is to preserve – and use – critical evidence. Contact our semi-truck accident lawyers today for assistance.

What Is the Average Settlement for a Truck Accident?

Many important factors go into determining a settlement for a crash. This means that there’s no “average” semi-truck accident settlement.

Settlements can go up to six or even seven figures for the most severe and catastrophic crashes. However, most truck crashes fall below this threshold. An experienced attorney can estimate how much your case may be worth, depending on what happened.

What Are Actual Settlement Amounts for Truck Accidents?

Our attorneys have secured various settlement offers for truck crash victims in NY. Here are some examples of past case results for our clients:

• $6,300,000 for a truck accident victim who couldn’t return to work. The victim sustained life-changing injuries.
• $1,700,000 for a motorcyclist hit by a truck who couldn’t return to their old job. They sustained significant fractures and other injuries.
• $800,000 for a pedestrian who sustained back and head injuries after a truck crash.

As you can see, settlement amounts vary widely. Your claim may be worth less or more, depending on the facts. For example, minor injuries with no long-term impact may attract significantly less damage than a life-changing injury.

How Long Do Semi-Truck Accident Claims Take to Settle?

It all depends on various factors, such as:

• Number of parties involved in the crash
• Injury severity and longevity
• Whether there’s a settlement or trial
• Fatalities e.g. wrongful death(s)
• Types of damages sought e.g. punitive damages
• Whether there are criminal charges e.g. a hit and run

Simple claims may take a few months, while complex claims can take a year or more to resolve.

Making a Semi-Truck Accident Claim

Sometimes, accidents simply happen. It’s not always possible to make a personal injury claim after a truck crash. However, you may have a case if you can prove four things.

• Someone owed you a duty of care. This could be the driver, trucking company, or even the manufacturer.
• This party breached their duty of care by acting negligently, or recklessly, in some way. For example, a truck driver breaks the law by driving too many hours without a break.
• You have injuries from a truck collision.
• The other party’s negligence caused your accident and injuries.

It’s not always easy to prove truck accident claims. And insurance companies will do everything they can to pay out as little as possible. However, as experienced attorneys, it’s our job to help you pursue justice. We will fight to secure the maximum amount of damages possible.

What Is a Fair Truck Accident Settlement?

It all depends on the facts of the case, the evidence, and the long-term impact on your life. What’s crucial, though, is that you don’t accept an offer without seeking legal advice. Otherwise, you could lose your right to claim – and settle for less than you deserve.

Remember, even if you don’t have a civil claim, an attorney can help you pursue a fair settlement. So, don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss your position.

Truck Accident Law Firm in NY and NJ

Are you a truck accident victim? Call RF Injury Law. Although we can’t truly understand what you’re going through, our experienced attorneys can help you seek justice. We know what it takes to make a successful claim and get accident victims the damages they deserve.

Contact us for a free initial consultation. We’ll explain if you have a case and, if so, how to move forward.

Can’t reach us? Let our LawMobile come to you. Or call to discuss a virtual appointment.