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Semi-truck or 18-wheeler accidents are understandably some of the most dangerous accidents one can experience on the roads of America. Because of these vehicles’ sheer size and weight, those seriously injured in an accident involving semi-trucks will not only suffer physically and emotionally but also financially.
How much money can you expect to receive at the conclusion of your personal injury case? Because everyone’s case is unique, it really depends on your circumstances. However, there are a few factors below that can help determine what your settlement might amount to. At the Law Offices of Elliott Kanter in San Diego, California, we can guide you in the right direction to help you seek compensation for your pain and suffering.
Why Are Truck Accidents So Costly?
Because 18-wheelers cause more severe damage to other cars and their respective drivers, it makes sense that these road accidents may result in much higher settlements than those involving two sedans, for example.
California has the most semi-truck accidents by a single state because of its high trade and many highways, to and from San Diego and beyond. When you’re injured in one of these many accidents, you may be wondering where you fall in the spectrum of the amount of money you’ll be receiving for your injuries.
Average Settlement for a Semi-Truck Accident in California
There are no "set rules" rules for determining how much compensation you could be receiving. In truth, successful semi-truck accident settlements can range from a few thousand dollars to tens of millions. It's the unique circumstances of your case that will determine where you fall in that range. Here's what the court will take into consideration when determining the amount you will receive in the event you win your case:
Liability
Because you live in California, personal injury attorney Elliott Kanter will be responsible for proving that you were not the cause of the accident. California is a Pure Comparative Negligence state, meaning how much money you receive (or don’t receive) will be determined and calculated based on the percentage of fault for each party. For example, if the settlement amount was $10,000 and you were determined 10% at fault, you would be owed $9,000. (Again, this number is purely hypothetical. To determine your case’s worth, schedule a free consultation with Elliott today.)
Injuries & Corresponding Expenses
Just like how the size of a vehicle can greatly impact the amount of damage done, the severity of injuries greatly impacts how much money you could be owed. Minor whiplash is typically treated by pain relievers or ice, which don’t break the bank as much as the expenses that come with paralysis, such as long-term rehabilitation, medical equipment, and a lifetime supply of medications.
Time Spent Away from Work
Minor injuries may only cause you to miss one day of work while paralysis and other serious injuries may keep you from returning to work ever again, depending on your situation. The money you earned for a living likely went towards providing for you and your family, paying the bills, and keeping a roof over your head. Because this income will stop either temporarily or permanently, you can receive more compensation to make up for this loss.
Property Damage & Corresponding Expenses
Property damage compensation works the same way as medical expenses; you will likely be offered more money if your car was totaled compared to it only being left with a small scratch. As your legal team, we will gather the necessary evidence (repair estimates, medical bills, estimated time home from work, and so on) to present to the court. But if you already have that proof, why would you need to hire an attorney?
Why Hiring An Attorney Can Help Your Case
Even if you think you have all of the information to prove the fault of the semi-truck driver, working with an auto accident attorney can benefit you in many ways, and Martindale-Nolo Research has proof:
- You’ll have higher chances of receiving compensation. According to the research, 91% of respondents with legal representation walked away with some amount of money at the conclusion of their personal injury case, compared to 51% of respondents that didn’t hire a lawyer.
- You’ll likely walk away with more money. The same study reported more than $77,000 in settlements of people that hired an attorney, as opposed to those who didn’t and received less than $18,000.
It’s important to note that not every personal injury case is the same, and the “average settlements” that you read about can fluctuate each month, week and day, and vary greatly based on your situation and where you live.
Though we cannot guarantee you $77,000 in settlements or a fault percentage of only 10% just because you hire us, we can strive to do everything possible to increase your chances at a larger settlement because it’s in our blood.
Compassionate, Driven Semi-Truck Accident Attorney
At the Law Offices of Elliott Kanter in San Diego, California, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients. We understand that this can be some of the most difficult, emotional times of your life, and we don’t take that lightly. We’ll take the time to get to know you and your circumstances so we can provide you with honest, open legal representation for your semi-truck accident case.
Schedule a free consultation today so we can evaluate your case and discuss the next steps.
