Commercial truck accident settlement are often much more complicated than those involving smaller vehicles. Not only is there the potential for greater property damage and injuries, but there may also be multiple parties involved in the claim process. This usually includes the truck driver, their trucking company, and, in some cases, the truck manufacturer or its parts. Sometimes, the trucking company may be held responsible. This is because they are responsible for hiring qualified drivers, maintaining their trucks, and following federal regulations. If any of these duties are not carried out properly, the company may be held liable for an accident that happens.
To recover compensation after a truck accident, you will need to prove that the trucking company or another party was at fault. To achieve this, you will need evidence such as the police report, eyewitness testimony, and photographs of the scene. Once liability has been established, truck accident settlement amount calculation can be done. There are a few different factors that will be considered when calculating your truck accident settlement, including the severity of your injuries, the amount of property damage you incurred, your lost wages and future lost earnings, pain, and suffering, and any permanent disability or disfigurement you suffered
How your Truck Accident Settlement is Calculated
The first step in calculating a settlement for a truck accident is to determine the number of medical expenses you incurred. This includes not only current bills but also future projected costs for things like surgeries, rehabilitation, and any long-term care you may need.
Next, you’ll need to add up your lost wages, including any time you missed from work due to your injuries and all future earnings you may have lost as a result. You will also need to consider the pain and suffering you endured. This can be a difficult number to calculate, but your lawyer can help you come up with a fair amount.
Once all these factors have been considered, your lawyer will likely make a settlement demand to the trucking company. The company will then have the opportunity to accept or reject the demand. If they accept, you will receive your settlement. However, if they reject it, you may need to go to court.
Other Important Considerations
It’s important to note that other parties may be liable in a truck accident, such as the truck driver or the manufacturer of the truck. If another driver was at fault, you may file a claim against their insurance policy.
If the accident was caused by a defective part on the truck, you may also file a product liability claim against the manufacturer. It’s also important to keep in mind that if you were partly liable, your settlement may be reduced by the percentage of fault you hold. This is called comparative fault, and it’s important to be aware of it if you’re considering filing a truck accident claim.
Conclusion
If you’ve been involved in any road accident, it’s important to understand how settlement calculations work. During the claim process, several factors will be considered, including the severity of your injuries, the amount of property damage you incurred, and your lost wages. Seeking legal help will be beneficial when gathering evidence and negotiating with the trucking company to get the compensation you deserve.
