How a Lawyer Can Maximize Your Truck Accident Settlement
You deserve full and fair compensation for your injuries. The best way to receive this is to hire an experienced attorney who can maximize your truck accident settlement. You can get the most out of your settlement with the expertise and guidance of a legal team who knows what it takes to represent victims such as yourself and win.
According to information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2021, deaths linked to motor vehicle accidents involving at least one large truck increased by 13 percent compared to the previous year. Overall, traffic fatalities increased by 10.5 percent. Tens of thousands more victims also suffered injuries in these crashes, leaving them with heavy physical, financial, and emotional burdens.
While receiving money in a truck accident claim doesn’t undo the damages that have already been done, it can help you pay your bills and expenses, and alleviate some of the stress you face.
Here’s how an attorney can help maximize your settlement.
Understanding Your Claim’s Value
Insurance companies delight in injury claimants who don’t have legal representation in part because they know they can typically get them to settle for much less than their claim is actually worth. Often, these injured victims are happy to receive any settlement, especially if it’s an early one.
Suppose they haven’t yet taken the time to speak to an attorney about the details of their accident and injuries. In that case, they may accept a low settlement leaving a lot of money on the table that could have helped them recover from their accident.
However, experienced truck accident attorneys know how much your claim is really worth and that you deserve much more than the minimum truck settlement. They are familiar with other cases like yours within your region and how much those cases have received in settlements or court awards. Your attorney will help you understand your claim’s value and do all they can to fight for you to receive it. It’s best to meet with a truck accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident.
Protection from the Insurance Company
Truck accident attorneys can also maximize your truck accident settlement by protecting you from the insurance company’s tactics to devalue or deny your claim. Not only do insurance companies often attempt to get claimants to settle before they know the value of their claim, but they also use several other strategies such as:
- Asking for a recorded statement and then twisting your words or asking leading questions about the accident or your injuries
- Acting like your friend, seeming genuinely concerned
- Telling you that they will take care of you, so you don’t need to hire an attorney
- Asking for copies of pre-accident medical records to try to blame your accident damages on old injuries
- Going through your social media accounts for evidence to use against you
Once you hire a truck accident lawyer, you no longer have to interact with the insurance company directly. Instead, your attorney will handle all communications with them. In the event that you have to talk to them – for example, at a deposition – your attorney will be there to protect your rights and guide you.
Accident Investigation
Your attorney will know how to investigate your accident thoroughly. This is imperative as you must pursue a claim against the appropriate party or parties to receive maximum compensation.
If you pursue one against the wrong party, someone who isn’t liable for your damages, you won’t receive compensation. Additionally, there are often multiple parties at-fault for a truck accident. By pursuing a claim against all liable parties, you can potentially increase your compensation. For example, in a truck accident, the following parties could be responsible for your injuries:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The truck or truck part’s manufacturer
- The company responsible for loading the cargo
- Other drivers
- Government agencies
Including All Damages
Your truck accident lawyer will also be familiar with all of your potential damages from the accident. Including all of your damages in your claim will help maximize the amount you receive. In general, truck accident victims can claim damages for both economic (special) and non-economic (general) damages.
These include:
- Medical expenses such as ambulance, emergency, hospital, and doctor bills, prescriptions, and surgeries
- Medical equipment such as home oxygen, wheelchairs, or crutches
- Home modifications
- Therapies
- Lost wages and income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Your lawyer will consider all of your damages when negotiating your settlement. There is no average settlement for commercial vehicle accidents or average payout for 18-wheeler accidents. Every case is unique, with its own details and various factors that can impact claim value. However, your attorney can provide you with an estimate of how much your case could be worth at your initial meeting and as your case progresses.
Settlement negotiations can take just a few weeks in simple cases where fault is apparent. On the other hand, more complicated cases, like those involving commercial trucks, can take several months or more. While it can be difficult to wait for your settlement, it’s best to be patient and let your lawyer go to work on your behalf, doing what they do best.
Hire a Truck Accident Attorney Today
With a seasoned truck accident attorney on your side, you can rest assured that your claim will reach its greatest potential, helping you recover physically, financially, and emotionally from an accident.
You can connect with a lawyer today by calling 1-800-THE-LAW2 or completing our easy online form. In 10 minutes or less, you’ll be connected to a skilled attorney to discuss your questions and concerns and help you get your claim started.
