Truck accidents often result in severe injuries and extensive property damage. Multiple parties with many layers of insurance coverage could also be involved, making it difficult to determine whether you are being offered a full and fair settlement. Ask an experienced Las Vegas truck accident lawyer at THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys to put an appropriate value on your case. We’re here to fight for the money you deserve.
Our lawyers are committed to securing the best possible results for our personal injury clients. Our success has earned us recognition from numerous organizations, including the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, the American Society of Legal Advocates and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. We are highly rated by Martindale-Hubbell and most importantly, committed to you and your case.
Call us now or contact us online for a free consultation.
Factors That Impact Las Vegas Truck Accident Settlement Amounts
Compared to a car crash, the damages that result from a commercial truck accident are usually far more extensive. Prior to negotiating a settlement, it is essential to get an understanding of how the value of your claim is determined.
Several variables that must be taken into account in order to determining a fair settlement amount includes:
- Medical bills: Any medical expenses incurred as a result of the accident, such as ambulatory transport, emergency room care, surgery, outpatient care, rehabilitation or therapy, long-term care, cost of prescription drugs and medical equipment. Future medical expenses that can be reasonably expected should also be included.
- Property damage: Any costs to repair your vehicle as estimated after inspection. If the vehicle is damaged beyond repair, the replacement value will be considered.
- Loss of income: Any wages lost as a result of missing work during recovery. This includes hospital stays, medical appointments, and convalescing time.
- Loss of earning capacity or business opportunity: Long-term losses of income due to permanent disability or inability to perform previous work due to injuries suffered in the accident.
- Permanent disfigurement: Any losses suffered as a result of permanent scarring or disfigurement caused by the wreck.
- Pain and suffering: Any physical pain, mental distress, or emotional suffering you have experienced as a result of the crash.
- Loss of quality of life: Any losses that you have experienced because of your inability to enjoy quality of life after the collision.
If a death resulted from the truck accident, the survivor of the deceased can also claim compensation for burial expenses, loss of companionship, loss of consortium, loss of support, and emotional and mental suffering through a wrongful death claim.
What Is the Average Truck Accident Settlement?
It is difficult to estimate the average truck accident settlement and verdict since no two accidents are alike. Yet one thing is certain. Because of the immense size and weight of a semi-truck, the damage that it can cause in an accident can be catastrophic.
The severity of the injuries also carries weight in determining the settlement amount. The more severe the injuries, the greater amount of compensation you may be able to demand.
Another factor that can affect the settlement amount is the strength of the case you develop. More specifically, you’ll need evidence to show the extent of your losses and damages, as well as evidence to prove fault in the accident.
In truck accidents, there are often multiple parties who may be partially responsible for the accident, including:
- The truck driver, who may have driven negligently
- The trucking company, who may have been negligent in the hiring or training of the driver
- The cargo loading company, who may have improperly loaded or overloaded the truck
- The maintenance company, who may have failed to notice or fix a faulty part
- The truck manufacturer, who may have designed or made a defective part that caused an equipment failure
The last issue to consider is the insurance limits of the at-fault party(s). If multiple parties are liable, there will be multiple insurance companies and policies involved in your settlement. A skilled truck accident attorney will know how to navigate the various pieces involved in your case in order to maximize the value of your settlement.
Truck Accident Statistics and Facts
Here are some of the most recent truck accident statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA):
- Nearly 5,000 people were killed in accidents involving commercial motor vehicles in a single year.
- There were 112,000 injury accidents involving large trucks during that same time period. That represents a 5 percent increase from the year before.
- 36 percent of all fatal truck accidents occurred at night between 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. During that same time period, 23 percent of all injury crashes involved large trucks.
- More than 80 percent of fatal and nonfatal truck accidents occurred on weekdays.
- Approximately 30 to 40 percent of all commercial truck accidents involved fatigue or drowsy driving.
How to Maximize Your Truck Accident Case Value in Las Vegas
After an accident involving a truck, taking the following steps could help improve your ability to obtain fair compensation for your injuries:
Consult with a truck accident lawyer right away. Settling a truck accident case means dealing with large corporations backed by tough attorneys. You need a strong lawyer who’s unafraid to stand up for you if an unfair settlement offer comes in. THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys do that for clients every day.
Do not communicate directly with the other party’s insurance company(s): All written and verbal communications should be directed to and handled by your attorney.
Follow your doctor’s treatment plan. After the accident, get a thorough medical examination as soon as possible. Continue to attend all of your appointments, both with your doctor and any other therapists that you are seeing for rehabilitation. If you delay getting treatment or fail to show up to appointments, the other party may argue that the injuries were not caused by the accident or not as serious as you claim.
Get a police report. In Las Vegas and the state of Nevada, a crash must be reported if it involves an injury or death. Be sure to request a copy of the police report, which can provide valuable information for your case.
Gather all relevant documentation. Collect any documents related to the truck accident, such as medical bills, pay stubs, tax forms, vehicle repair estimates, and accident scene photos. Be thorough and document everything about the crash as you can.
Avoid social media. The other party may be able to use the information you post about yourself against you and your case. It’s best to avoid social media while your case is pending.
Proving Fault Can Make or Break Your Settlement
Providing as much evidence as possible to support your claim is crucial to negotiate a fair settlement in a truck accident claim. An experienced attorney will present your case in the best possible way with compelling proof, which can include:
- Medical records
- Police reports
- Photos of the accident scene, damage to the vehicle, and your injuries
- Video footage
- Witness statements
- Logbook and maintenance records of truck driver
- Truck company records, which includes employee, safety, and maintenance records
- Expert witness testimony
- Driving record of truck driver
- Cell phone records, if drowsy driving is a suspected factor in your case
Nevada’s comparative negligence law allows injured victims to recover compensation even if they are partially at fault for an accident. However, the compensation amount will be reduced according to their percentage of fault.
For example, if the victim was found to be 10 percent at fault for the truck accident and their total compensation was valued at $100,000, he or she only would be able to receive $90,000 in compensation to account for their own role in causing the wreck.
Keep in mind that if a truck accident victim is found to be 51 percent or more at fault, they will not be able to recover any compensation, no matter how many losses they suffered. That means your compensation hinges on a single percentage point. With so much at stake, you should hire a truck accident attorney to protect your interests.
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Injured in a Las Vegas Truck Accident? Contact Us Today
At THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys, we know that you need maximum compensation to cover the massive losses incurred in a Nevada truck accident. Let us put a value on your case and negotiate a settlement amount that reflects your true losses.
Most personal injury cases result in settlements. But if negotiations break down, rest assured that our truck accident lawyers prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. We can pivot immediately to file a lawsuit and fight aggressively in court if that’s what it takes to get you fair compensation.
For a free consultation, call us or contact us now. There’s no obligation.