Truck accident settlements and verdicts vary depending on the nature of the accident, the involvement of multiple parties, state-specific laws, and other factors. If you are suffering from losses caused by a truck accident, you can pursue a fair settlement.
If this sounds like you or a family member, then our lawyers can defend your legal rights while pursuing various forms of financial compensation you could recover from your truck accident.
Factors That Affect Truck Accident Settlements And Verdicts
Truck accident injuries have the potential to alter the course of your life forever. While a monetary award cannot erase the hardship you face, settling your case could provide you with resources that help you address your changing life circumstances.
Just like truck accidents, accident settlements can differ. Two accidents with similar fact patterns could result in very different outcomes. An accident settlement is based on how the accident impacts you. You may hear damages broken into two categories called:
- Economic damages: These are monetary losses.
- Non-economic damages: These damages are intangible losses that have a calculated value.
There are several different factors that can impact the economic and non-economic damages available in a truck accident injury case. When negotiating truck accident settlements, insurers and lawyers will review:
- Disabilities and injuries: You may face short- or long-term injuries or even permanent physical health issues. The severity of your injuries will impact your compensation.
- Lost wages and income: If the truck accident prevents you from making money while you recover, or if you cannot return to your old job, our team will count these losses when seeking payment.
- Medical expenses: All expenses related to your medical treatment from the truck accident are factors in a settlement.
- Timeline of treatments: The length of your treatment or recovery can impact when we settle and how much we can seek.
Additionally, settlements and verdicts often look at the number of liable parties involved in an accident. Insurance policy limits and standards also enter the picture to add another layer to a verdict. Policies will often analyze the roles of all relevant parties while also considering the cumulative economic damages of an accident.
Your Lawyer Can Determine Your Case’s Value
It is not always immediately clear what a truck accident case is worth. Thankfully, you do not have to estimate the value of your case on your own. With the right attorney by your side, you could have a clear picture of the potential value of your case.
An attorney cannot guarantee a favorable outcome in your truck accident lawsuit, but our firm will work tirelessly to help you get the result you deserve.
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Local Laws And Statutes Related To Truck Accidents
Truck accident settlements and verdicts are often quite complex and involve state and local laws. If you connect with our legal team after an accident, you do not have to worry about balancing all these legal considerations.
The statute of limitations in CC Art. 2315.2 details how victims have a limited time to take legal action after an accident resulting in wrongful death in Louisiana. If you lost a loved one in an accident, you have up to one year to act.
A separate statute of limitations, CC Art. 3492, applies to accidents that result in personal injuries. The one-year time limit also applies.
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Defining Actions That Establish Liable Parties
When a carrier fails to abide by federal safety guidelines and protocols, they may be held liable for an accident and the subsequent damages experienced by a victim. Drunk driving, drowsy driving, distracted driving, speeding, and drug impairment are common factors in accidents involving trucks and other large vehicles.
These kinds of reckless driving behaviors are typically grounds for one or more parties taking on liability and responsibility for the damage they cause. However, several details, such as specific laws and insurance policies, can dramatically impact the direction of a claim and verdict.
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Handling Correspondence After A Truck Accident
Commercial vehicle carriers may carry complex insurance policies that may prove difficult to navigate for an individual victim. With our lawyers advocating for your position, you will not have to communicate with another driver, insurance agent, or anyone else related to the incident. Instead, our lawyers will lead all correspondence with other parties on your behalf. As our legal team collects a complete story of the accident, they will handle witness testimonies and communications as needed.
This is an important benefit for you as you pursue a monetary award for your injuries. Having an attorney serve as your advocate is not only convenient, but it also protects you from putting your case in jeopardy by discussing it with the trucking company’s insurance carrier.
Insurance adjusters are not above twisting your words to make it seem like you accept fault in the crash. Anything you say during a conversation with an adjuster will be recorded, and your statements could be used against you during your case. By letting an attorney speak for you, it is possible to reduce these risks.
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Assessing Damages And Pursuing Potential Settlement Awards
Before your attorney can secure a fair settlement offer from the trucking company or their insurance provider, they will need to understand the facts surrounding your case. This requires a thorough and careful review of all the evidence. Our team will collect various forms of evidence to create a complete version of events. Common types of evidence include:
- Photos of the accident scene and/or your injuries
- Video footage
- Police reports
- Witness accounts
When you work with us on a truck accident case, you can expect consistent communication and updates on the workings of your situation.
What If A Case Won’t Settle?
The reality is that not every truck accident injury case will result in a monetary settlement. Settlements are common, but the other side will not always make an offer worth accepting. In some cases, the trucking company or its insurance carrier will not offer to settle at all. There are various reasons why a truck accident might not settle. The most common example is when the other side disputes liability.
If the truck driver does not accept they were at fault, their insurance company might refuse to make any settlement offer. Other cases will not settle due to the lack of resources. This is uncommon with trucking companies, but in some cases, a company that lets their insurance lapse could lack the financial resources to pay for your damages. In these cases, a settlement might not be an option even when liability is not in question.
The good news is that the lack of a negotiated settlement will not prevent you from recovering the compensation you deserve. A trial verdict could result in financial compensation. While the prospect of a trial might seem overwhelming to some people, our firm could ensure you are prepared for your day in court. During litigation, we could also work to reach a settlement until the last possible moment.
See How A Truck Accident Attorney Can Help Today
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, our team of attorneys is here to untangle the legal process on your behalf. You do not have to accept an insurer’s offer if the payout seems unfair. A truck accident settlement or verdict should help you, so let us take this burden off your shoulders.
We will work diligently to hold any responsible parties liable for the damage and suffering they create. To learn more about how we can serve you after a truck accident, call our office today for a free consultation.
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