A good settlement offer for a truck accident covers your current and projected expenses for damages you have suffered as a result of the crash. This may include your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Minor truck accidents can result in claims in the thousands of dollars, whereas accidents involving serious injuries can mean awards in the hundreds of thousands. In rare cases, some truck accidents can result in awards of over a million dollars.
If you have been injured in an accident with a large truck or 18-wheeler, our North Carolina truck accident lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation, and tell us your story.
Should You Take the Initial Settlement After a Truck Accident?
After your accident, an insurance company may reach out to you after offering a payment. It may seem like they are trying to be helpful, but that’s not always the case. Often, insurance companies offer low amounts, hoping you don’t know what your case is really worth.
If you accept their offer, you waive your rights to future payments, and they can close out your case for a fraction of what it’s worth. In most cases, it is not wise to accept the first settlement offer from an insurance company without first speaking with an attorney.
Your attorney can evaluate any offers and advise you if they are fair. We can assess your damages and come up with a maximum compensation amount that we can use to negotiate on your behalf. A good lawyer will hold an insurance company accountable for your damages.
For a free legal consultation, call (877) 333-1000
How Is a Truck Accident Settlement Calculated?
Your attorney can calculate what is considered a good settlement offer for your truck accident by referring to your economic and non-economic expenses.
Economic Damages
Your economic damages are easy to calculate because they involve a specific dollar amount. For example, you know how much a medical visit costs because you receive a bill. While every case is different, some economic damages your attorney may be able to recover include:
- Your medical expenses, such as doctor’s visits, emergency care, surgery, medications, and physical therapy
- Your lost wages and income as a result of your inability to work after your accident
- Long-term employment issues if you are unable to continue with your profession
- Property damage, such as the cost of repairing your vehicle after an accident
Non-Economic Damages
Compensation for non-economic damages is harder to get because it’s difficult to attach a dollar amount. Non-economic damages address the emotional, psychological, and social impact of your accident and injuries. This may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
Your attorney can investigate how the accident has impacted your life and determine if you may be able to recover non-economic damages.
Punitive Damages
While rare, a court may award punitive damages in cases where the defendant acted with extreme negligence or recklessness. While the intent is to punish the defendant, punitive damages can substantially increase an award.
Punitive damages will not be part of your settlement offer. However, an insurance company that believes its client may face punitive damages if the case goes to court may be more likely to agree to a larger settlement at the negotiating table.
Do You Need a Lawyer to Negotiate a Truck Accident Settlement?
Legally, you are free to represent yourself. However, in almost all cases, you will see a bigger settlement if you hire a skilled personal injury lawyer. A lawyer understands the laws that govern claims and knows how to deal with insurance companies.
Insurance companies have teams of powerful attorneys whose job is to make sure they come out on top. Unless you are an attorney yourself, you are at a disadvantage trying to negotiate on your own. When you hire a truck accident lawyer, you level the playing field.
Personal injury lawyers usually work on contingency fee agreements, which makes our services affordable for almost anyone. We take our fees out of your settlement, and we don’t get paid unless we win. That means we’re all in this together.
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How to Maximize Your Truck Accident Settlement
In addition to hiring an attorney who can deal with insurance companies and help you avoid many common mistakes, there are a few more things you can do to increase your chances of getting maximum compensation:
Follow Your Doctor’s Advice
Following your doctor’s recommendations and complying with your plan of care ensures you get the treatment you need and shows you are serious about your injuries. It also creates records of your medical needs, which your attorney can refer to later on.
Track Your Expenses
Hold on to invoices and bills that show your expenses related to your accident and injury. Include copies of bills for medical care, car repair invoices, and any other expenses you’ve incurred because of the accident.
Keep a Journal
Keeping notes that show how the accident has impacted your family may make it more likely you can recover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. Your attorney can let you know if you have a realistic chance of recovering non-economic damages.
Avoid Speaking to Insurance Companies
Insurance companies may try to twist your words and use them against you. Let them talk to your lawyer instead. It’s also smart to avoid discussing your injuries on social media in case insurance companies decide to investigate.
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Learn More About Good Settlements for Truck Accidents
Big trucks are important for our economy, but when reckless or inexperienced operators drive them, accidents and serious injuries can happen. When you are injured in a truck accident, you deserve compensation.
A good settlement offer for a truck accident will cover all of your present and projected expenses. A skilled attorney can help you recover the economic and non-economic damages you’ve suffered as a result of the crash.
At DeMayo Law Offices, we’ll stand up for you against powerful insurance companies and fight to get the settlement you need. Contact us today for a free consultation and find out how we can help.
Call or text (877) 333-1000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
