What Is The Average Settlement for an 18-Wheeler Accident in Missouri?
Getting into an accident with a tractor-trailer can be a harrowing experience. Injuries and damages are often more severe due to the sheer size of the vehicles involved. If you have been in an accident with an 18-wheeler, you absolutely need the maximum amount of compensation to cover your damages. So, what is the average settlement for an 18-wheeler accident in Missouri? The average settlement is around $103,654.08, and the median settlement amount is $30,000. Let’s take a closer look at the average settlement for an 18-wheeler accident with Mutrux Firm so you can get a better idea of what to expect.
Understanding 18-Wheeler Accident Claims
Tractor-trailer accidents can be complex; therefore, it is critical that you understand more about the claims process. Unlike a typical car accident, 18-wheeler accidents often involve multiple parties, such as the truck driver, trucking company, and insurance providers. When you include all these factors, it can make it difficult to file a claim. Truck accidents often result in severe injuries or death, leading to extensive medical bills, long-term rehab, and emotional distress resulting from the accident. When filing a truck accident claim, it is important to be familiar with the regulations at hand, as these can have a profound impact on the outcome of your case.
Pursuing an 18-wheeler claim requires a lot of solid evidence to prove liability. This process includes detailed investigations, such as taking a look at the truck’s event recorder data, reviewing maintenance records, and interviewing witnesses of the crash. This is why it is so critical to have an attorney by your side, ad you would need to navigate the complex legal landscape by yourself and negotiate with insurance companies, all while making sure you are fairly compensated for your losses.
Factors Influencing Settlement Amounts
So, now you might be wondering, which factors influence settlement amounts for commercial truck accidents in Missouri? The extent of physical harm is one of the most influential factors, which can often range from minor injuries to catastrophic conditions, such as traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage. Medical expenses, including those for ongoing treatment, rehab, and future care, are taken into account as well. Lost wages and diminished earning capacity are also taken into account when calculating a fair settlement, as they both have a significant impact on the individual’s life.
Liability is another contributing factor in 18-wheeler commercial truck accidents, as multiple parties are often involved. This is where the negotiation skills of your attorney come into play, as they know how to negotiate with insurance companies. Some other things to consider are the insurance company’s policy limits, the trucking company’s financial ability, and their willingness to settle outside of potential litigation.
Types of Damages Recoverable in 18-Wheeler Accidents
Similar to other types of accidents, there are a variety of different damages that you can recover from an 18-wheeler accident. These include:
Economic Damages
Which include tangible financial losses and are often easy to put into a dollar amount. These often include medical expenses, both current and future, for any injuries sustained during the accident. You can also recover lost wages and diminished earning capacity if the injuries result in permanent or long-term disability. Property damages are also included in economic damages and include either repairs or full replacement to your vehicle.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are less tangible, and compensate for losses such as pain and suffering, such as physical and emotional distress, and loss of consortium or partnership.
Punitive Damages
If the actions of the defendant are especially reckless, then punitive damages could also be handed down to the at-fault party.
The Role of Insurance in 18-Wheeler Settlements
When it comes to 18-wheeler accidents, insurance plays a crucial role in settlements and is oftentimes a source of compensation for victims. Because truck accidents are oftentimes so severe, trucking companies often carry substantial insurance policies to cover potential claims. However, it can be daunting to navigate the complexities of these policies on your own. This is where a skilled attorney will come into play, negotiating with insurance and getting you the compensation you deserve.
How Severe Injuries Impact Settlement Value
How severe your injuries are as a result of the accident can significantly impact the settlement value. The more severe your injuries, the more compensation you are likely to receive. In most cases, compensation is awarded based on the severity of the injuries sustained, as well as the medical bills that need to be paid. The more severe the injuries, the more expensive the medical bills will be.
Your attorney will take this into account when negotiating with the insurance company. At Mutrux firm, our attorneys are serious when getting settlements for our clients and always put the needs of our clients first. You can trust Mutrux to get you the compensation you deserve.
The Importance of Legal Representation
Legal representation is critical to getting the settlement value you deserve for your 18-wheeler accident. Your attorney is a skilled negotiator and understands the nuances of how insurance companies operate, usually by providing the lowest possible compensation to save on their bottom line.
This is why it is critical to have an attorney you trust to handle your case. They can negotiate with the insurance adjuster and even pursue litigation if necessary to get you the justice you deserve.
It’s common for many that want to handle their claims on their own to believe that they are saving money by not contacting an attorney. However, especially when it comes to truck accidents, this could end up costing you more in the long run, and put you further into financial hardship.
Calculating Pain and Suffering in 18-Wheeler Accidents
It can especially complex to calculate pain and suffering in 18-wheeler accidents, as it’s necessary to quantify the physical and emotional distress that the victim might experience as a result. Economic damages are much more tangible, while non-economic damages are more difficult to put a dollar figure on. Insurance companies, and in the event of litigation, the court system often uses two methods to calculate damages: the multiplier method and the per diem method. Let’s check both of these out in more detail below.
Multiplier Method
The multiplier method uses the victims economic by a number, usually between 1.5 and 5, depending on the severity of the injuries and their impact on the victim’s life.
Per Diem Method
The per diem method assigns a daily dollar amount to the victim’s pain and suffering and multiplies this by the number of days the victim is expected to endure these hardships.
Your attorney will know how these methods work in more detail, making it more crucial than ever to have a trusted attorney in a truck accident case.
Choose Mutrux Firm To Handle Your Truck Accident Case
Similar to most personal injury cases, settlements can vary dramatically, depending on the severity of the injuries, property damage, and what type of policy the trucking company has. Your attorney will be able to determine roughly how much you can expect for a potential settlement once they know more about your specific case.
At Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers, we are ready and able to take on your case and get you the compensation you deserve. We truly believe in our mission and want to help our clients in any way we can. Get in touch with us at (888) 550-4026 to talk to one of our attorneys and to get your case started. We can’t wait to work with you!
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