How Much Will You Get Paid If A 18 Wheeler Hit You?
You can get as high as $140 million as in the case of One Texas man who was awarded one of the largest settlements ever after an accident with an 18-wheeler truck in 2017; You can also get lower compensation based on certain factors that will be highlighted later in this article.
It is worthy of note that the average settlement for an 18-wheeler accident is difficult to predict. In general, settlement amounts depend on the severity of the accident and its damages. As is common in accidents involving large vehicles, victims who suffer severe forms of injury may be eligible to receive a larger settlement amount than those who come away relatively unharmed.
Factors That Determine How Much Will You Get Paid If A 18 Wheeler Hit You
Several components are considered.
- For example, If you are suffering from a serious injury that requires ongoing medical care, a legal team will collect the exact details on the cost of your current and future treatments.
Other considerations are:
- Level of vehicle damage
- Lost wages and earning ability
- Disabilities
- The liable party’s percentage of fault
- Whether the victim was partially at-fault for the accident,
- The shared fault rules in the state where the accident occurred,
- The extent of the victim’s injuries,
- Whether the victim has close enough relations to support a loss of consortium claim,
- How badly the truck driver was driving,
- Whether the trucking company was following the law or behaving recklessly,
- The victim’s occupation, which will influence the extent of his or her lost wages and potential earning capacity, and
- The age of the victim, etc.
According to National Safety Council, In 2020, 4,842 large trucks were involved in a fatal crash, a 4% decrease from 2019 but still a 33% increase since 2011. The involvement rate per 100 million large-truck miles traveled is down 5% from 2019, but up 18% since 2011. Large trucks are defined as any medium or heavy truck, not including buses and motor homes, with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds. Both commercial and non-commercial vehicles are included.
Large trucks accounted for:
- 9% of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes
- 4% of all registered vehicles
- 10% of total vehicle miles traveled
What Should I Do After an 18-Wheeler Truck Accident?
The first and most important thing is to hire an experienced 18-wheeler accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. An experienced truck accident lawyer will get the evidence needed to prove your truck accident claim, negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, represent your interests in the courtroom, and make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
READ: How To Apply For Workers Compensation Exemption In Florida
But there are steps you can follow after an accident with an 18-wheeler to help protect your future truck accident claim:
- At the accident scene, remain calm and stay in your vehicle unless you need to get out for safety reasons. Call 911 and do not leave the scene.
- Record all the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any parties involved, particularly any witnesses. You will also want to write down the names and badge numbers of any police officers investigating the accident.
- Photograph and take a video of the scene, including vehicles and injuries. Make sure you get the truck driver’s employer information.
- Seek medical attention, even if you don’t think you were injured at the time of the accident. Many times, injuries don’t present themselves until hours or days after the accident.
- Immediately notify your own insurance company after the accident so the claim process can start. When speaking with your insurance company, just stick to the facts of the case and do not admit fault.
- Do not discuss the accident with anyone except the police or your own insurance agent; you are not required to give a statement to anyone but the police and your insurance company.
READ: What To Expect After a Motorcycle Accident: Advice For Victims and Their Loved Ones
