What Is the Average Semi-Truck Accident Settlement Amount?

Though you may wonder, “What is the average semi-truck accident settlement amount?” this question is not especially useful. You should instead ask, “What is the amount of my semi-truck accident settlement in Illinois?”

Every victim of a semi-truck accident has different losses, serious injuries, and prognoses. A truck accident lawyer from our firm, The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, can evaluate your specific case and focus on your losses.

The Average Truck Accident Settlement

Although settlements for large truck accidents are not made public, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) major injuries can be worth hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars.

FMCSA reports:

• The average cost of fatal accidents involving a large truck is $3.6 million per crash.
• A crash with injuries costs almost $200,000 per crash.
• The average cost of all large truck crashes including those with only property damage is about $91,000 per crash.

Semi-Truck Accidents May Cause Significant Losses

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) explains that semi-trucks can weigh up to 30 times as much as smaller vehicles.

A collision involving a semi-truck may cause:

• Severe injuries such as spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries
• Death
• Total loss of a vehicle

These outcomes may cause great pain and medical expenses to the victim, who may be entitled to financial truck accident settlements.

What Compensation May Be Available from a Semi-Truck Accident?

Specific losses from a semi-truck accident may include:

• Medical care including ambulance transport, emergency services, surgery, and more.
• Semi-truck accident victims may experience losses in income, earning potential, productivity, bonuses, and promotion opportunities.
• Pain and suffering include injury-related pain, traumatic memories, sleep issues, and reduced quality of life.
• Vehicle repairs or replacement due to extensive property damage.
• Wrongful death if you’ve lost a loved one, your family may be compensated for funeral expenses, lost companionship, and other losses.

What Determines The Value of My Truck Accident?

The value of your truck accident claim depends on the nature of negligence involved, the severity of injuries, the extent of property damage, the amount of lost income, and the amount of available liability insurance coverage to address your losses.

Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents

FMCSA identifies causes of semi-truck accidents, including:

• Truck driver fatigue
• Dangerous road conditions
• Vehicle defects
• Drug use by the truck driver
• Inattention by the truck driver
• Speeding
• Alcohol impairment
• Unsecured cargo
• Dangerous lane changes and tailgating

How does Negligence Factor Into Semi-Truck Accident Cases?

Negligence is generally the standard for liability in civil cases. In a semi-truck accident case, your lawyer will determine:

• Whether the at-fault party (including a truck driver) was negligent
• What specific acts or failures were negligent
• Whether the negligent acts caused the accident
• Whether another party is liable for the negligent person’s acts

A truck driver, trucking company, or company responsible for loading the truck can be liable in most truck accident cases.

What If I Was Partially to Blame for the Accident?

In Illinois, the modified comparative negligence rule allows you to recover damages even if you were partially at fault, provided your fault is less than 50%.

What Should I Do After a Semi-Truck Accident?

Hiring a lawyer is a wise first step; they can guide you through the remainder of the legal process. Your lawyer may counsel you to:

• Seek medical treatment if you have not already done so
• Avoid giving statements to an insurance company or other attorneys
• Allow them to handle your case

Semi-truck accident victims are generally not lawyers. You may be unfamiliar with the legal process and unaware of threats to your rights. Your lawyer will protect you and seek a fair recovery.

How Can a Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Help?

Your lawyer will handle your case. From the moment that you hire us, our mission is to win for you. Our responsibilities include:

• Assisting with scheduling medical appointments and arranging temporary transportation.
• Investigating your semi-truck accident by visiting the scene, photographing vehicle damage, consulting witnesses, and seeking video footage if time allows.
• Collaborating with your doctors for medical records, bills, and injury images. Their testimony might also be valuable.
• Preparing and filing your case for insurance coverage or a lawsuit.
• Managing daily case tasks, including calls and document submissions.
• Negotiating a settlement to achieve fair compensation quickly for all your losses including pain and suffering.
• Representing you in court if a fair settlement isn’t reached at the negotiating table.

Call Us to Discuss the Value of Your Semi-Truck Accident

Call today for a free consultation with one of our truck accident attorneys to learn more about the value of your case and how you can recover compensation.