The Value of an 18 Wheeler Settlement
You could be eligible to file claims if a vehicle with 18 wheels rear-ends your vehicle. The value of your settlement will be determined by the severity and nature your injuries.
You can also claim damages if you suffer a loss of income. But, you must wait until your doctor has confirmed that your injuries will have lasting effects.
Compensation for injuries
The extent of the injuries suffered by the victim determines the amount of a settlement for an 18-wheeler crash. Truck accidents typically cause more serious injuries than car accidents and the damages that follow are often due to this. However, the monetary amount of compensation awarded to victims will also be contingent on a variety of other aspects.
Medical costs are a major element in determining the amount of a settlement in the event of a trucking accident. The cost of past and future treatments will be taken into account when calculating this amount which could include transportation expenses to and from appointments with your doctor. The effects of the accident on the quality of your life and lost earnings are also factors to be considered. If your injuries are preventing you from working for the foreseeable future it can be incorporated into a claim for compensation.
In a settlement involving a truck accident or 18-wheeler accident, victims could receive hundreds of thousands of dollars and even millions. These settlements are much higher than those that would be awarded in a typical automobile accident, and a lot of them exceed records.
Our attorneys will investigate every party that could be liable for your losses, including the truck driver, the company they work for, and any other third-party companies that may have contributed to the accident. For example, loading companies can be held liable when they do not properly stack or overfill the cargo in the trailer. If the accident was caused by faulty vehicle or truck parts, you may also make a claim against the distributor and/or manufacturer.
Damages for pain and suffering
In addition to the economic loss victims can also seek compensation for their pain and suffering. This refers to the psychological and emotional trauma that is caused by injury. It's difficult for you to quantify and is therefore an important element of your claim. Our lawyers will work to estimate your economic loss to ensure you receive an appropriate settlement for your injuries.
Some victims suffer from a long-lasting and amputation that is debilitating. The medical costs and future losses of these victims are likely be significant. Experts such as economists or medical professionals help calculate the amount of damages. Insurance companies might try to minimize your losses by claiming that the accident was not responsible for your condition, but that it existed before. Our team will rebut these claims and help you get the compensation you deserve.
Sometimes, more than one party could be responsible for an 18-wheeler crash. The company that employs the driver can also be held responsible. If the truck was incorrectly loaded and the accident resulted from that the loading company could be held liable.
Waiting for a settlement in the aftermath of a crash with a truck can seem to take forever. It is crucial to remember that you shouldn't settle your personal injury claim until you've reached your maximum medical improvement (MMI). When you settle too quickly, you are accepting an offer which does not pay for your injuries.
Damages for Economic Loss
While it is possible to claim damages for past, current and future medical bills, the most significant damages in truck accidents are based upon your economic losses. This includes lost wages, property damages and the cost to repair or replace your vehicle as well as other items you've lost in the accident.
Trucks are heavier and larger than passenger cars. They aren't able to easily move around to avoid collisions. Rear-end collisions can be more dangerous because trucks slow down more to stop. The impact can be devastating and life-changing.
Trucking companies and insurance providers will do everything they can to minimize their liability to the victim's damage. This includes dragging out negotiations to try and pass the law filing a lawsuit.
An experienced attorney can fight back against the tactics used by these parties and ensure you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
The laws governing comparative negligence may affect the final settlement or verdict in the event that more than one party is accountable for an accident. Your attorney will have the expertise and know-how to identify all parties accountable and pursue claims on your behalf. This increases the odds of you receiving the full amount that you are entitled to. Call Kaine Law for a no-cost consultation today. Our lawyers will examine your case, explain your legal options and discuss the potential worth of your truck accident claim.
Damages for non-economic losses
Although many accidents are able to be settled out of court without a trial, it is not always possible with trucking companies or their insurance providers. In many instances, the severity of the injuries and the complicated nature of the situation mean that a lawsuit is needed to ensure victims get fair compensation.
Our firm has all the resources necessary to represent you and obtain the best settlement for your case. We will enlist experts to conduct accident reenactments as well as other methods to prove the extent of your damages in court. This can include vocational and medical experts and economic loss specialists who will determine the value of your past and future damages.
In addition, we could also be able to hold other parties accountable when they contributed to the causes of the crash. This is especially applicable if they did not meet their legal obligations like failing to maintain the truck or hire qualified drivers.
You can also seek a remedy against the trucking firm which employed the driver or if the company was owned by a third party. Trucking companies can be held accountable for a variety of causes including putting their employees to work in unreasonable hours or reducing costs through not performing proper maintenance on the vehicle. 18 wheeler accident attorney odessa can also bring a claim against a truck manufacturer if a deficient part is proven to cause an accident.