18-Wheeler Accident
One of the most devastating types of crashes are those involving 18-Wheelers, also commonly referred to as tractor trailers, big rigs, and semi trucks . An 18-Wheeler is a large commercial vehicle that has a total of 18 wheels. These are some of the most commonly seen commercial rigs on American roads. 18-Wheeler accidents often involve tremendous force, catastrophic injury, and equally damaging medical bills. Truck accidents resulting in injury can result in very large awards for the innocent parties. For this reason, truck insurance companies fight tooth and nail to reduce their liability and place the blame on others. This is why personal injury lawyers can be particularly useful in personal injury claims resulting from 18-wheeler accidents.
18-Wheeler trucks carry heavy loads and can "jackknife" when they crash. The trailer's height also leads to "under-ride" accidents. This is when a shorter vehicle ends up underneath the trailer portion of the 18-Wheeler. These types of accidents often result in catastrophic injury or death.
What Is The Average Settlement For A 18-Wheeler Accident?
There is no average settlement in an 18-wheeler accident because there is no average 18-wheeler accident. Every accident is unique and the injuries are distinct. The parties involved, liability, treatment, economic damages, and non-economic damages vary widely. Moreover, some people have injuries that are temporary and respond well to medical treatment, while others are stuck with permanent injures that cause lifelong pain and impairment and require lifelong care and treatment.
It is difficult for many people to consider these factors and determine what type of settlement amount is fair; so unfortunately, many people settle their claims for far less than they could have received with the assistance of an attorney. So to reiterate, there is no average settlement for a semi-truck accident. However, some estimates can be made based on your unique circumstances after a complete claim evaluation.
For this reason, it is extremely useful to claim your free consultation. Your case will be reviewed by one of our excellent personal injury attorneys. During the consultation, we can discuss potential outcomes based on the information you provide. Many people want to know what they will get at the end of the day, but sometimes an estimate cannot be provided until you are done treating and your know what your future looks like.
If you retain our services we will also investigate the crash, review your medical bills and treatment records in detail, and do other work to give you a better estimate for your 18-wheeler accident. Insurance companies want to settle your matter for as little as they can. We fight to maximize the settlements our clients receive. Importantly, we don't earn a fee unless we win. That is what it means to work on contingency.
What Do You Do After An 18-wheeler accident?
After an 18-wheeler accident, you should first secure your health and safety. We have more detailed information on what to do after an auto accident in another post. There are also some steps that should be taken to protect the integrity of your personal injury claim. If you have questions please don't hesitate to call for your free consultation. Our skilled truck accident attorneys will answer your questions. If we can't help we will point you in the right direction.
How Many Accidents Do 18-Wheelers Have?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) tracks accidents for large trucks and buses. As of this post, the most recent data is for 2018.
Here are some key takeaways from the FMCSA reports:
In 2018, 5,096 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes, a 1-percent increase from 2017. Although the number of large trucks and buses in fatal crashes has increased by 48 percent from its low of 3,432 in 2009, the 2018 number is still 3 percent lower than the 21st-century peak of 5,231 in 2005. From 2017 to 2018, large truck and bus fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled by all motor vehicles remained constant at 0.160, 22 percent below the 21st-century peak of 0.205 in 2000.
FMCSA 2018
How Long Does It Take To Settle A Semi Truck Accident?
No case is the same and the length of time it takes to settle a semi-truck accident case depends on a few major factors. One of the most important is the willingness of insurance companies to negotiate in good faith. A fair settlement offer prevents the need to go to trial. A trial can add unneeded costs in time and money, but sometimes starting the ligation process by filing a lawsuit is necessary. Having legal representation that has the ability to file a lawsuit is an important risk creating step that can help maximize settlement value. Insurance companies usually do not want to take a case to trial either, and insurance companies know they have to negotiate differently when an attorney gets involved.
An experienced personal injury attorney knows how to successfully litigate a case in a trial. Perhaps just as important, an experienced personal injury lawyer knows when it is best to go to trial in the first place. At Johnson Law we keep you informed on your case the entire way. When it comes time to accept a settlement or go to trial, our attorneys will take the time to explain all aspects of your case. Our attorneys are not afraid of going to trial to maximize your financial recovery. When to settle and when to go to trial is one of the biggest questions to answer. We will make sure you have an the best information so an informed decision can be made. Ultimately, our clients make the choice regarding settlement or trial.
If you or a loved one were injured through the negligence of another, call us for your free consultation.
