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Truck accident settlements depend on many factors, including the severity of the crash and the resulting injuries. These crashes are often catastrophic, so the average truck accident settlement is typically higher than others. Depending on the details, settlements can range from several thousand to millions of dollars.
Factors such as lost income, medical expenses, and pain and suffering may influence outcomes. Hiring a lawyer can help victims understand their potential compensation.
At Hasbrook & Hasbrook, we fight for fair compensation for truck accident victims. We evaluate medical bills, pain and suffering, and loss of income to ensure you get the settlement you deserve. We have years of experience handling truck accident cases. We have been helping clients recover from devastating losses ever since.
What Makes Truck Accidents So Severe?
Truck accidents are more severe due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, leading to devastating damage and injuries. Victims often face long-term recovery, making settlements more complex and costly. Here are additional reasons why truck accidents are more severe:
- Greater impact force, leading to catastrophic damage
- Increased likelihood of multi-vehicle collisions
- Severe injuries often require long-term medical care
- Complex liability involving truck drivers, trucking companies, and manufacturers
- There is a higher potential for fatalities compared to passenger vehicle crashes
Who Can Be Held Responsible in a Truck Accident?
Looking at the liability in truck accidents can be challenging because of the number of parties involved. In most cases, the truck driver, the trucking company, or even a third-party maintenance provider may be responsible. Each party’s involvement in the accident will impact the settlement amount.
Truck accident attorneys assess the details. They determine whether the driver was negligent, the company violated regulations, or a faulty part was involved. Understanding who is responsible can influence the outcome of your claim.
The Truck Driver
In many cases, the truck driver is found responsible for accidents due to speeding, distracted driving, or fatigue. Commercial drivers must follow strict regulations regarding driving hours and safety measures.
Truck drivers may be liable for damages if they violate these rules or drive recklessly. Proving a truck driver’s negligence is critical in building a strong truck accident case. Evidence such as driving logs, accident reports, and witness statements can help prove fault and secure a fair settlement.
Due to the size and weight of the truck, truck accident victims often suffer from severe injuries. When the driver is at fault, such as in cases of fatigue or speeding, proving negligence is crucial. Evidence from black box data, driving logs, and witness statements can strengthen the case.
In some cases, victims of 18-wheeler accidents may face long-term medical expenses and loss of income. A trained lawyer can help them build a strong case and secure adequate compensation, essential for recovering from injuries and financial losses.
The Trucking Company
Trucking companies may be held accountable for accidents. They may neglect to maintain their vehicles, train drivers, or adhere to safety regulations. They might also be liable if they push drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines, which can lead to fatigue and risky driving behaviors.
When these types of company failures contribute to an accident, the consequences for victims can be severe. They often require extensive medical treatment.
Truck accident attorneys play a crucial role in investigating these companies. They may uncover negligence that contributed to the crash. This can lead to substantial settlements due to the company’s significant financial resources.
The trucking company could face serious liability issues in some cases. Examples include poor vehicle maintenance, poor training, or lack of safety protocols.
Victims of such accidents typically suffer from serious injuries. They may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. The financial responsibility of the trucking company often results in higher average settlements.
Proving company negligence is key to securing compensation. It requires a detailed investigation by skilled truck accident attorneys. We have experience holding large companies accountable for their actions.
The Maintenance or Manufacturing Company
Maintenance or manufacturing companies may also bear responsibility for truck accidents. This is particularly true when faulty parts are involved or maintenance needs to be adequately performed.
For instance, a manufacturer may be liable if a truck component produced is defective and contributes to an accident.
Similarly, a maintenance provider could be at fault if they failed to inspect or repair a truck. This could lead to mechanical failures. Victims must work with experienced attorneys who specialize in truck accidents. They should investigate these claims and hold the responsible parties accountable. This might lead to significant compensation for damages.
Liability issues can become complex for manufacturing companies. Examples of manufacturing neglect include:
- A defective truck part from a manufacturer leads to an accident
- A maintenance company fails to service a truck
- A part was not properly installed
Proving such negligence requires detailed investigations, which often necessitate the expertise of seasoned truck accident attorneys.
Successful litigation against these companies helps secure compensation for the injured parties and enforces necessary safety standards within the trucking industry.
Factors Involved in a Truck Accident Settlement
Several factors influence the value of truck accident claims. They include the severity of injuries, property damage, and the level of negligence involved. Because truck accident injuries often lead to catastrophic injuries, truck accidents often result in more substantial settlements than standard car crashes.
Settlements also consider current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Punitive damages can also be awarded when the party at fault acted recklessly. Every factor plays an important part in determining the overall settlement amount.
The Severity of the Property Damage
One significant factor in truck accident settlements is the extent of the property damage. Because of commercial trucks’ sheer weight and size, damage to passenger vehicles is often severe. It could lead to repairs or total losses.
The value of the damaged property will be included in the settlement calculations. Damage to public property, such as road signs or barriers, may also be factored into the claim. Insurance companies assess the total damage when determining compensation.
Current and Future Medical Bills
Sometimes, truck accidents result in life-altering injuries that require long-term medical treatment. Settlement amounts include compensation for current medical bills and anticipated future medical costs.
Truck accident victims may need surgeries, physical therapy, and ongoing care, all of which are considered when calculating settlement values.
In cases of permanent disability, the settlement will include numerous areas. Examples include the cost of medical equipment, home modifications, and other necessary accommodations.
Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Trauma
In addition to medical expenses, truck accident victims can seek added compensation. Examples include pain, suffering, and emotional trauma.
Severe accidents can leave victims with emotional scars. These include anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression. This non-economic damage is often more challenging to quantify.
However, it can increase the settlement amount. Truck accident attorneys can help victims document their mental and emotional suffering. They ensure these damages are addressed in the settlement process.
A personal injury lawyer can ensure that the average settlement accounts for these non-economic damages. The settlement could add tens of thousands of dollars to the claim, ensuring full compensation for their hardship.
Possible Punitive Damages
Sometimes, the trucking company or truck driver may have acted recklessly. In this case, victims may be awarded punitive damages. These types of damages are to punish the responsible party and deter future negligence.
Punitive damages are common in cases involving drunk driving, major trucking violations, or intentional negligence. The amount awarded in punitive damages varies, but it can increase the overall settlement value in truck accident cases.
The Ability of the Other Party To Pay
One critical consideration is the responsible party’s financial capability to pay. Even if the settlement amount is high, collecting may be challenging if the party cannot cover the damages.
This is why identifying all responsible parties—including the trucking company, driver, or manufacturer—is crucial. This ensures victims receive full compensation. Truck accident attorneys work to maximize recovery by holding all responsible parties liable.
The Top Ways an Oklahoma Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You
An Oklahoma truck accident lawyer offers vital support in navigating the legal process after a crash. Truck accident lawyers in Oklahoma can:
Analyze truck maintenance logs and company records for violations.
Attorneys will review maintenance logs and company records. They look for missed services or skipped safety checks that could point to negligence. This information is crucial in building a strong case against the trucking company.
Consult accident reconstruction specialists to strengthen your case.
Accident reconstruction specialists provide valuable insights. Their expert analysis can help clarify the sequence of events. Then, they establish liability in complex truck accident cases.
Assess long-term medical care costs for fair compensation.
It’s important to evaluate the long-term medical expenses. Lawyers work with medical professionals. They ensure that the compensation covers all future medical treatments and rehabilitation costs.
Handle communication with trucking companies or manufacturers involved in the accident.
Lawyers are responsible for communicating with the trucking companies or manufacturers. They prevent clients from being overwhelmed. Lawyers ensure that all discussions are handled professionally. That way, your rights are protected throughout the negotiation process.
Secure expert witness testimony if your case goes to trial.
Having expert witnesses can change the outcome if a case goes to trial. Lawyers will arrange for credible specialists to testify. They can help convince the jury of the specifics of the accident and the associated liabilities.
Truck accident victims suffer heavy losses. We are here to fight for truck accident victims. Contact us today to schedule a free case consultation.
Contact Our Oklahoma Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Filing a truck accident claim is crucial if you’ve been in a semi-truck accident. It can help you recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs.
We have an experienced truck accident lawyer at Hasbrook & Hasbrook who can guide you through the process. We also specialize in handling semi-truck accidents. Our team has extensive experience with most truck accident cases and is dedicated to helping victims receive the compensation they deserve.
We offer free consultations to assess your case and provide guidance on the next steps. Contact us today to claim your consultation, and let us fight for you during your time of need.