The Value of an 18 Wheeler Settlement
If a 18-wheeler rear-ends your vehicle, you might be able to file an claim against the truck driver and their employer. The value of your settlement will be determined by the nature and severity your injuries.
You can also recover damages if you lose future income. However, you should wait until your doctor has confirmed that your injuries will cause lasting consequences.
Compensation for injuries
The value of an 18-wheeler accident settlement is determined by the severity with which the victim was injured. Truck accidents usually cause more serious injuries than car crashes and the repercussions which follow are often due to this. The amount of compensation awarded to victims depends on many factors.
Medical costs are an important factor in determining value of a settlement for a trucking accident. The amount will include the cost of any previous and future treatments and any transportation costs to and from your doctor's appointment. 18 wheeler accident claim carmel is another consideration as is the effect of the accident on your quality of life. In the event that your injuries are likely to hinder your future employment, you could include this in your compensation claim.
It is not unusual for victims to collect hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars from a truck or 18 wheeler settlement after an accident. These settlements are greater than the ones paid in a typical car accident, and a number of them exceed records.
Our lawyers will investigate any parties who could be accountable for your loss. This includes the truck driver and their company, as well as any third party businesses that could have contributed to the incident. For example loading companies can be held liable for their actions when they stack or overload cargo in the trailer. If the accident was caused by defective parts of the truck or vehicle, you may also seek compensation from the manufacturer and/or the distributor.
Damages for pain and suffering
In addition to financial losses, victims can also claim compensation for the pain and suffering they have endured. This refers to the psychological and emotional trauma caused by an accident. It's hard to quantify, which is why it is an essential element of your claim. Our lawyers will calculate your non-economic loss to ensure you receive an appropriate amount of compensation for your injuries.
Some victims suffer from persistent and debilitating injury. The medical costs and future losses of these victims are likely to be substantial. Experts like economists or medical professionals can help calculate the damages. Insurers can try to minimize these losses by arguing that your condition did not result from the crash, but rather that they existed prior to the crash. Our team will rebut these claims and get you the compensation that you deserve.
Often there are multiple parties that can be held responsible for an accident that involves an 18-wheeler. Besides the truck driver the company who employs the driver could be held responsible. If the truck was not correctly loaded and the crash resulted from it the loading company could be held liable.
The process of negotiating a settlement for the aftermath of a crash with a truck could seem to take forever. It is important to know that you shouldn't settle a personal injury claim until you have reached your maximum medical improvement (MMI). Settling too soon means that you're settling for a settlement that is not enough to cover your losses.
Damages for Economic Loss
While it is possible to get compensation for past, current and future medical expenses The most significant damage in cases involving truck accidents are based on the economic losses. These include the loss of wages and property damage, as well as the cost of fixing or replacing your vehicle and any other things you may have lost in the accident.
Due to the weight and size of these vehicles, they cannot maneuver easily like passengers vehicles to avoid crashes. Rear-end collisions can be more dangerous because trucks slow down more to stop. The impact can be catastrophic and life-altering.
Trucking companies and insurance providers will do everything in their power to limit their liability for the victim's damages. This includes dragging out negotiations to try to extend the time limit for filing lawsuits.
An experienced attorney can defend you against the tactics used by these organizations and help you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
Comparative negligence laws can affect the final settlement or verdict in the event that more than one party is at fault in an accident. Your attorney will have the expertise and know-how to identify all parties responsible and pursue claims on your behalf. This increases the likelihood of you getting the full amount you deserve. Contact Kaine Law today to schedule a free consultation. Our lawyers will analyze and explain your case and your legal options and the potential value of a claim.
Damages for non-economic losses
Insurance companies and trucking companies providers might not always be able to settle disputes outside of court. In a lot of instances, the seriousness of the injuries and the complicated nature of the situation mean that a lawsuit is necessary to ensure that victims get fair compensation.
Our firm has all the resources necessary to advocate for you and negotiate the best settlement for your case. We will employ experts to recreate accidents and other methods to prove your losses. This may include medical and vocational experts, as well as economic loss specialists who will determine how much your past and future losses could be worth.
We could also hold others responsible if they were a contributing factor to the accident. This is particularly relevant if they failed to meet their legal obligations, for example, failing to maintain the truck or hire qualified drivers.
We could also seek a remedy against the trucking firm that employed the driver, or if the company was owned by a third party. Trucking companies can be held accountable for a variety of reasons including putting their employees to work in unreasonable hours or reducing costs through not performing the proper maintenance on the vehicle. We can also file a claim against a manufacturer of trucks if a defective component is found to cause an accident.