Semi Truck Accident Settlement Guide

Semi-Truck Accident Settlements – The Comprehensive Guide

After being in a motor vehicle accident with a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or other large commercial vehicle it can be difficult to know what your next steps should be. You and/or your passengers may have serious injuries. After receiving medical treatment, it can feel overwhelming to begin a fight with the insurance company to become financially whole again. If you incurred medical bills, missed work, or had to alter your daily life due to the injuries, you may want to seek a semi truck accident settlement.  By knowing the steps involved in the truck accident settlement process, you will know where to begin, what steps to take after a truck accident, and what mistakes to avoid so you can maximize the amount of compensation you receive from your semi truck accident. You can take the steps on one at a time and prepare for life after you heal from your accident.

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Why Are Semi Truck Accidents So Dangerous?

There are multiple reasons that semi truck accidents are more dangerous than other types of motor vehicle accidents. One of the main reasons is the size and weight of large commercial trucks. Depending on how much cargo a semi truck is carrying, they can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds; even an empty trailer weighs over 35,000 pounds. This huge size makes any sort of collision or accident with another vehicle much more likely to be severe and cause major injuries. As a result, most truck accident settlements are larger than the average car accident settlement.

Because of their weight and size, it is incredibly difficult to navigate or stop a semi truck. This is why drivers are always cautioned to give semi trucks as much room as possible on the highway. It can be difficult for semi truck drivers to see smaller cars that follow them too closely behind or beside their trailers.

What Are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

While every accident will have a unique situation and circumstances, there are common issues and patterns of behavior that can cause commercial vehicle accidents. Drivers should be aware of these patterns of driving behavior. All drivers should do what they can to avoid big truck accidents. Avoid these accidents  by giving truck drivers plenty of space on the road, not following them too closely, and never engaging in road rage with large semi trucks. The most common causes of truck accidents include the following:

• Mechanical failure
• An inexperienced driver
• Poor road or weather conditions
• Speeding, improperly changing lanes
• Using a cell phone while driving
• Brake failure
• Poor lighting/vision at night
• Driving under the influence
• Falling asleep at the wheel

In the majority of truck accident settlements, the truck driver or the truck itself usually falls into one or more of the above categories. If your attorney can prove that the truck driver was negligent or that their vehicle was improperly maintained or serviced, it may entitle you to a larger accident settlement.

What Types of Injuries Are Common With Semi Truck Accidents?

The people struck by a semi truck suffer the vast majority of injuries in truck accidents. Speed and the weight of the truck are the two largest factors impacting the severity of injuries. Common injuries in truck accidents include:

• Broken bones
• Cuts and lacerations
• Head injuries and trauma
• Injuries to the back
• Neck pain or whiplash
• Internal bruising, bleeding or other injury
• Spinal cord damage or paralysis

Unfortunately, truck accidents also account for a large portion of deaths due to motor vehicle accidents. If your loved one died due to an accident with a large commercial vehicle or semi truck, a skilled attorney will be able to help you file a wrongful death claim.

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What Are the Common Psychological Effects of Truck Accidents?

There are many psychological effects one may face after a semi truck accident. The force of impact can leave lasting fear & anxiety. Many people who’ve been involved in truck and car accidents get diagnosed with PTSD, or “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder”, leaving them with long term psychological damage.

This can make it difficult for them to get back behind the wheel even after they have recovered physically from the crash. These psychological effects are not limited to their experience behind the wheel. Some crash survivors may face challenges such as insomnia, panic attacks, and recurring thoughts about the accident. Victims may require therapy, counseling, and medication  in order to help the victim of the large truck accident learn how to cope with these intense and painful psychological effects.

The Difference Between Commercial Vehicles, 18-Wheelers, and Truck Accidents

Most commonly a “commercial vehicle” refers to a larger vehicle used for the transportation of commercial goods. A driver must hold a commercial vehicle license in order to drive one of these vehicles. Laws and regulations are in place to ensure that these drivers receive proper education and that their vehicles receive proper maintenance, and in almost all cases drivers and/or the companies that employ them are required to hold insurance with higher policy limits. In addition to the increased risk of serious injury, the higher insurance limits are another major factor in semi truck accident settlements being much higher on average than car on car accident settlements.

While Semi trucks, big rigs, 18-wheelers, and other types of commercial big trucks fall under the label of commercial vehicles, not all commercial vehicles are large semi trucks. A sprinter van used for a construction company or a large taxi used for airport shuttles are both examples of a commercial vehicle that isn’t a semi truck.

What To Do After Being An An Accident With A Semi Truck

After your truck accident, you should seek immediate medical attention. Even if your pain does not currently present itself as an injury, some may not be immediately evident.

In the days following an accident with a semi truck, make sure you keep track of all documentation, including (but not limited to):

• Your medical records pertaining to the accident
• The police report
• Communication about time-off from work due to the accident
• Medical and on-going treatment bills
• Communications regarding property damage

You should get the truck accident settlement process started immediately following your accident. The sooner you start the claims process, the more seriously your claim is taken. Waiting until you have fully recovered may make your claim or injuries seem “less serious” if your case goes to a jury trial.

Your lawyer will help determine what the next steps will look like for your truck accident settlement claim. They may need additional documentation or time to start the claim process, which is usually initiated by writing a truck accident settlement demand letter. Make sure you respond to your lawyer’s inquiries in a timely fashion… The sooner you can submit all the necessary paperwork, the sooner you may receive compensation.

How Do You Determine the Average Semi Truck Accident Settlement?

Semi truck accident settlements are likely to be both larger and more complicated than a regular car accident claim. Accidents with large trucks often cause very serious personal injuries and property damage. After the accident, you will want to know how much your semi truck accident settlement may be, as this money will probably be needed in order to help you cover medical expenses, vehicle repair or replacement costs, the cost of missing work, and enduring pain and suffering.

In order to determine how large your truck accident settlement may be, we first must answer one critical question. Who is liable? The truck driver, his employer, or the truck owner? We will review these critical issues below, including actual truck accident settlement amounts, length of time to settle, as well as average truck accident settlements and other important factors in large commercial vehicle accidents.

Laws For Semi-Truck Accidents

There are many federal laws and regulations that govern the commercial trucking industry. These laws set certain standards that trucking firms, owners, and drivers must satisfy. These laws are often what determines who is liable for a tractor-trailer and other types of large truck accidents. Most federal regulations regarding the commercial trucking industry are in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

In addition to federal laws regarding truck driver and semi truck rig safety, there are also local and state auto accident laws that may be relevant to your accident, making hiring a local personal injury attorney an important step in getting the best truck accident settlement possible.

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Who Is Held Liable for Semi Truck Accidents?

With most car accidents, the driver responsible for the accident is liable and their insurance company will pay out a settlement. When there is a semi-truck accident, however, there are several entities and people that may be liable for the accident. These people may include:

• The truck driver
• The owner of the trailer or truck
• The person or entity that leased the truck or trailer
• The manufacturer of the tires, motor, or other parts that may have failed in the accident
• The loader or shipper of the cargo, if improper loading contributed to the accident

Who is liable for your car accident with a semi-truck will depend on your unique situation. Regardless of who is liable, you may expect a large truck accident settlement based on your injuries, property damage, and your pain and suffering.

Truck Accidents and Minimum Liability Insurance Policy Limits

Liability insurance for semi truck drivers and companies is critical for public safety. It protects the public from truck accidents where the driver was negligent. The idea behind minimum liability insurance is that the trucking company pays damages to make the injured party whole. However, this does not always occur in reality.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires truck drivers to have the following minimum coverage. Note that the minimum amount of insurance coverage depends upon the type of  freight.

• Non-hazardous goods moved in vehicles <10,001 lbs: $300,000
• Non-hazardous goods moved in vehicles >10,001 lbs: $750,000
• Oil moved by private carriers: $1,000,000
• Hazardous materials moved by private carriers: $5,000,000

These are the minimum requirements established by the FMCSA. Many commercial trucking companies require minimum liability insurance of at least $1,000,000. This is regardless of the material hauled.

These minimum insurance coverage numbers are important to keep in mind when trying to determine how much you may receive from your truck accident settlement. Talking with a local attorney will help you determine what type of insurance the driver or their trucking company carried and how that may affect your settlement.

Trucking Companies Often Opt for Minimum Coverage

The aforementioned policy minimums may sound like plenty of coverage, but the reality is often different:

• When rear ended by a semi truck, the car driver and passenger could suffer devastating injuries that cost millions of dollars to treat. Minimum coverage seldom covers serious medical problems. These may include traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries. While some motorcycle accident settlements may cover similarly catastrophic injuries, often truck accidents are much more serious than the average auto accident.
• Some trucking companies and owner operators may not have updated their coverage limits for years. Inflation and medical costs increase over time. The policy limits may not cover the high medical costs the crash victim faces.
• In a truck accident settlement, victims may win damages that exceed the minimum liability limits. A 2013 study determined that 42% of truck crash settlements paid exceeded FMCSA’s minimum insurance requirements.
• Bring in expert legal help to help fight for your semi-truck settlement case. Otherwise, it can be difficult for you to determine and fight for the settlement money. Trucking insurance companies will have access to expert truck accident lawyers. These lawyers will do everything they can to lower the insurance company’s liability.

The reality is that many truck accident cases require you to file a lawsuit to obtain compensation.  An attorney will be able to answer most of this for you in a free initial consultation.

Other State and Federal Regulations Affect Truck Accident Settlements

As noted earlier, all semi trucks in the United States follow FMCSA regulations. However, truck drivers themselves are subject to other rules, such as the state’s commercial driver’s manual. In the Georgia CDL manual, for example, requires semi drivers to stay in the two lanes on the right of an interstate. If the trucker is driving outside those two lanes, this is against the law. An accident where the trucker is riding in the far left lane could lead to a personal injury lawsuit with a higher settlement.

Another example: Georgia’s CDL laws state that a truck must not follow another truck, or a motor vehicle pulling another motor vehicle closer than 100 yards. If a distracted trucker hits the vehicle in front, this could net a larger settlement.

The combination of the various state and federal laws can result in larger settlements. A local attorney will know the specific state laws that apply in your case. They will also know how the truck driver may be in violation of them. This makes your claim of negligence much stronger should your case end up in court.

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Semi-Truck Insurance Policies Are Often Large

Regardless of which party ends up paying your truck accident settlement, it is common for a tractor-trailer to carry insurance coverage of $1 million or more. However, because of the large amount of money at stake, aggressive tactics by insurance companies are often employed to defend their drivers and the trucking company from liability. The insurance company will look to pay the lowest settlement amount possible to avoid going to court.

In addition to the laws mandating higher minimum requirements for semi-truck accident coverage, there is a chance that several defendant policies are in effect. For example, it is possible one semi-truck could have a $1 million policy that covers the rig and another $1 million that covers the trailer. This means that your truck accident settlement may be much larger than you initially estimate.

Because you may have suffered severe injuries in the semi-truck accident, your truck accident attorney will work diligently to uncover every potential source of financial recovery. That is why locating all of the possible policies for a tractor-trailer company can take longer than in regular passenger vehicle accidents. This is why truck accident settlements often take a longer time to pay out.

Medical Treatments Can Affect The Truck Accident Settlement Timeline

When you have serious truck accident injuries, you want to get your settlement money as soon as you can. With multiple serious injuries, you will likely face a flood of bills. These may include your medical bills and regular expenses that you cannot pay due to missing work because of your injuries. One of the biggest factors is how severe your injuries are and the medical treatments needed to heal you.

Most truck accident settlements resolve once the victim has had a full recovery. Because a crash with a large semi truck is more likely to cause severe injuries, your treatment and recovery period may take longer. With complex cases involving severe or multiple injuries, it can take months to years to settle with the insurance company.

You may wish to settle your claim when you are still getting treatment or suffering from pain caused by your accident. But your lawyer will strongly advise against this. Only after your doctor releases you from their care will you and your lawyer have a clear understanding of the extent of your injuries, their severity, and how they will affect your quality of life moving forward. At that point, your lawyer can help you make an accurate determination of what your semi-truck accident claim is worth. Serious injuries that will cause lifelong pain or disability may entitle you to a much larger truck accident settlement.

How Do You Start the Truck Accident Settlement Process?

After an intense truck accident, it can feel overwhelming trying to start the settlement process. The very first thing you should do is seek medical attention for your injuries. Your physical and mental well-being should be your number one priority after a semi truck accident. Property damage and legal battles can settle after you have taken care of your health.

Once you’ve received medical attention and are on the mend, you should reach out to an attorney. A local truck accident attorney will know how to best start the claim process. For large semi truck accidents, the settlement process can take months or even years. So getting started as soon as possible is crucial.

However, keep in mind that in most cases, it is in your best interest to wait until after you’ve finished receiving medical treatment to reach a settlement with the insurance companies. This is the best way to ensure coverage of the entire cost of your medical treatment.

Most insurance companies will look to settle your claim out of court to avoid costly and drawn-out legal proceedings. This can also be to your advantage as well. If your claim goes to court, you and your attorney may face a jury trial. There, it can be difficult to convey the severity of your injuries or damages to the jury.

How Much is the Average Semi-Truck Accident Settlement?

Because all truck accidents involve different scenarios, it can be difficult to pinpoint what the average semi-truck accident settlement is. The area of the crash also plays a role in how much you and your attorney can seek in damages from the insurance companies.

An important consideration on average truck accident settlements: Since many truck accidents result in serious injuries or death, which tend to have much higher payouts, the “average truck accident settlement” will be a lot higher than the median, because it’ll be skewed by the massive settlements, of which there are too many. However if you have less serious injury, looking at the averages might not be the most accurate way to predict what your settlement will be.

However, knowing what factors affect the dollar amount of a large truck accident can help you and your attorney determine a starting point for what your semi truck accident settlement may be worth.

There are several factors that will affect the size of your truck accident settlement:

Economic Factors

The economic losses included in a truck accident settlement are:

Medical costs

Includes every cost related to your physical injury and treatments, starting with the cost of the ambulance ride, ER care, hospital stay costs, physicians’ bills, drug costs, and surgical procedures. It also includes X-rays, CT and MRI scans, rehab, physical therapy, and transportation for your medical visits. Those who suffer from particularly severe injuries may be able to receive a settlement that factors in the cost of on-going, long-term care.

Lost wages

Wages that you would have gotten if you were still working during the time preceding the accident. If you took sick time or vacation time to receive medical treatment, this time is also covered. This includes earnings you would have made if you cannot work in the future due to the injuries sustained in your accident.  Even if you are partially disabled, the reduction in your ability to earn an income factors into the size of your settlement.

Property damages

Typically involves the loss of your motor vehicle. These accidents usually result in the vehicle being a total loss. Even if your vehicle is not a total loss, you may experience property damage in the tens of thousands that you may expect to have covered in your semi-truck accident settlement.

 Lost wages

Wages that you would have gotten if you were still working during the time preceding the accident. If you took sick time or vacation time to receive medical treatment, this time is also covered. This includes earnings you would have made if you cannot work in the future due to the injuries sustained in your accident.  Even if you are partially disabled, the reduction in your ability to earn an income factors into the size of your settlement.

Non-Economic Factors

Non-economic factors are harder to quantify and will be the subject of intense negotiations between the attorneys.

Pain and suffering

Includes disfigurement, physical pain, fear, grief, anxiety, inability to concentrate, and insomnia. It also can include loss of enjoyment of life. These claims are often the hardest to prove in court. Seeking immediate and on-going medical treatment is one of the best ways to help prove your case.

Emotional pain

A major issue in many truck accidents, given the violence of the collision. Some face fear every day, including a terrible fear of being in the same situation again. Some accident victims develop PTSD. For some, it can be impossible to drive a vehicle for a long time after their semi-truck accident. This is due to fear, anxiety, and PTSD.

Loss of consortium

This means loss of companionship in regards to family and friend relationships. Or a lost relationship with a partner because of a changed personality. This is easiest to prove in cases with documentation of lasting injuries (both mental and physical).

Punitive damages

Used as a deterrent for the defendant who engaged in reckless activity. For example, if the trucker drove in a reckless manner that caused harm to others. A local attorney will be able to better argue if the defendant was in violation of local or state laws when the accident occurred.

While there is no way to say what an average semi-truck settlement will be, there are many serious truck injury cases where settlements exceeded $1 million. These cases involve severe injuries that take months or years of recovery. Occasionally these cases involve permanent injury. Your case could be worth more or less depending on the factors listed above and your unique situation. Talk to a skilled and experienced truck accident attorney to get a ballpark idea of what your case could be worth.

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Typical Semi Truck Accident Settlement Factors

In addition to the factors listed above that help determine how much your truck accident settlement may be worth, there are other major factors. There are four main factors that affect the amount of the accident settlement in truck crashes:

Liability

Every state has its own laws pertaining to contributory negligence. For example, California is a pure comparative negligence state. This means the defendant (the trucker) is liable only for his percentage of fault. If a jury finds that the car driver was 20% responsible for the rear end truck crash, the final settlement amount reduces by 20%. Contributory negligence laws also can bar the accident victim from receiving any compensation, if determined that the plaintiff is 51% or more at fault. A personal injury attorney needs to determine how a state’s contributory negligence laws affect the potential settlement amount.

Injury severity

Truck accident injuries often have high dollar injury claims. The insurance company or defense attorney will review these higher figures. Generally, the more serious the injuries, the higher the odds of getting a larger accident settlement. However, it is common for defense counsel to comb through the plaintiff’s medical history. They look for preexisting conditions that the company can hang the injuries on.

Deaths

Trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds fully loaded. Fatal truck accidents are common. If the accident leads to a death, a wrongful death lawsuit may be in consideration. These lawsuits frequently lead to larger settlements. Some states allow punitive damages as well, usually in the case of reckless driving behavior.

Insurance policies in effect

How much insurance money is available? Given the involvement of more than one commercial entity, the amount of insurance covering your accident could be a higher amount. But as noted earlier, many trucking companies only carry the bare minimum coverage. Serious truck accident injuries easily can exceed those limits.

Rear Ended By A Semi Truck

The size and force of commercial vehicles can make being rear ended by one a terrifying and painful experience. Immediately following a rear end accident with a commercial vehicle, you should seek medical attention. Medical attention should be a priority even if you do not have any obvious injuries. Rear end accidents have a high rate of whiplash injuries. Whiplash may take several hours or even days to present themselves. Other injuries common with rear end accidents include:

• Head injuries 
• Whiplash
• Nerve damage
• Headaches
• Broken bones
• Spinal cord or disc injuries
• Severe brain injury

With rear end accidents, insurance companies will look for a paper trail of medical documents and police reports to verify your claim. It is in your best interest to speak with an experienced truck accident attorney. Their specialized experience will help you land the largest settlement claim possible. Without the help of an attorney, it may be difficult for you to land a settlement that covers the cost of your injuries.

T Bone Accidents Involving Semi Trucks

A T-Bone accident is where a semi truck hits a car from the side. These are an extremely serious type of trucking accident. These accidents can be extremely scary and jarring, and can cause extremely serious injuries. Likely, the car that gets hit is following all rules of the road when the truck driver will run a stop light or break another traffic law, suddenly slamming into the side of the driver with the right-of-way.

Injuries from T-Bone accidents can be severe and life-long. The person who sits on the side of the vehicle where the impact occurred is likely to receive the most intense injuries. However, anyone in the car can suffer injuries from these types of accidents. The most common injuries with T-Bone commercial vehicle accidents include:

• Neck injuries
• Severe whiplash
• Concussions
• Traumatic brain damage
• Broken bones
• Soft tissue tears
• Paralysis
• Internal organic damage

In T-Bone accidents, it is essential that you start the settlement process as soon as possible. Keep track of the police report, medical records, and insurance documentation. This paperwork will make your attorney’s work much easier when they start fighting with the responsible party’s insurance to get you the settlement you deserve.

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Dump Truck Accident Settlements: Why They’re Different

Dump trucks serve an important role in transportation, constructions, and more. They share the road with other drivers and pedestrians every day. Their large size and weight mean that accidents between dump trucks and other vehicles can be extremely serious. Additionally, the “stop and go” nature of the work dump trucks do can make it difficult for other drivers to drive defensively.

Dump truck accident settlements are unique. Often, the driver of the dump truck is not the only legally responsible party. The company they work for, the truck manufacturer, and even the city itself may be legally considered responsible. This complicates the settlement process significantly.

Commonly, dump trucks are leased and driven by multiple drivers and serviced by multiple technicians. Each party will try to deny responsibility in the event of a dump truck accident.

Insurance companies always seek to settle as quickly as possible. This is especially true in serious dump truck accidents. By bringing in an attorney with experience settling dump truck accidents, you increase your chances of receiving a settlement.

Semi Truck Accident Settlement Example:

Facts

On December 1, 2021 I was driving in my 2020 Ford Mustang when I approached the intersection at Piedmont Avenue and 10th Street in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

I was going through the green light when suddenly and without notice the rear passenger side of my vehicle was hit by a large semi-truck that ran the red light at the intersection. The mere force and intensity of the impact caused my vehicle to do a complete 360 before coming to rest in the roadway. The front and rear air bags deployed throughout my vehicle and the drivers side door was jammed shut.

 

Injuries Suffered In The Truck Accident

 

Immediately after the collision with the semi truck I was shocked, scared, and nervous. I experienced the immediate onset of pain and discomfort throughout my entire body. A witness on the corner of the street called 911. Police, paramedics, and the fire department arrived on scene within minutes.

 

Since my door was jammed, I could not exit my vehicle. Minutes later, the fire department came to my window and told me that they would get me out of the vehicle soon. They used the jaws of life to crack my door open and extricate me from the vehicle. I was immediately placed in a neck brace and put on a gurney in the ambulance.

 

I was transported from the scene of the crash to Downtown Atlanta Memorial Hospital. I had neck, low back, mid back, and right/left shoulder pain and discomfort. Police officers met me at the emergency room and took my statement. The officers advised that they obtained a video from a coffee shop on the corner of the street and saw that the semi truck ran the red light and that I was not at fault for the crash. This provided me with significant relief as I was unsure how I would prove that I was not at fault. Police officers provided me with the semi-truck’s insurance information, and I filed a claim with his insurance carrier the next day.

 

I was experiencing headaches along with chest pain and nausea. I was examined by the attending physician and he ordered X-rays of my neck and low back for injuries after the crash. X-rays were taken of my cervical and lumbar spine which were negative for fracture and dislocation. A CT of my Brain was taken since I was unsure whether or not I lost consciousness. Although I was experiencing substantial headaches, the CT of my brain was normal and did not show any brain hemorrhage. After the imaging was complete, my doctor reviewed the results with me. I was discharged home a few hours later with a prescription for Norco and instructed to seek further care and treatment for my injuries.

 

On December 8, 2021 I saw doctors at Peach State Chiropractic for treatment of my injuries. My pain and symptoms had progressively worsened over the last week. The chiropractor examined me and found tenderness to palpation of my cervical and lumbar spine along with muscle spasms, stiffness, and tightness. My range of motion was significantly reduced by approximately 50% in my neck, low, and mid back. I continued treatment here for 2-3 weeks, however my pain and symptoms failed to subside. As a result of my ongoing pain, I was prescribed an MRI of my Thoracic (mid back) and Lumbar Spine (low back).

 

On December 10, 2021 I presented to My Health MRI for the recommended imaging. The impressions revealed the following:

 

Thoracic MRI:

T1-2:   1-2 mm disc protrusion.

T3-4:   3-4 mm disc protrusion with impression on thecal sac.

T5-6:   3 mm disc protrusion abutting the spinal cord with bilateral neural foraminal stenosis.

T7-8:   1 mm protrusion indenting the thecae sac with mild-to-moderate stenosis.

T9-10:  2-3 mm protrusion with moderate stenosis.

T10-12: 1 mm protrusion indenting the thecal sac.

 

Lumbar MRI:

L2-3:   3 mm diffuse disc protrusion identified. Disc material abuts the thecal sac. Hypertrophy of bilateral ligamentum flavum is seen. No significant neural foramina narrowing.

L3-4:   Disc protrusion identified. Transiting and exiting nerve roots are normal. Disc protrusion measures 3.5 mm.

L4-5:   A diffuse disc protrusion is identified. Disc protrusion measures 4.5 mm. Disc protrusion indenting on thecae sac with bilateral neural foramina narrowing present.

L5-S1: 5 mm disc protrusion identified. Disc material indenting thecae sac. Bilateral stenosis with impingement on L5-S1 nerve root.

 

One week later, I presented to Dr. Zabi, M.D., an orthopedic physician to review the results of my MRI with me. At this time, my low back, neck, and mid back pain was constant throughout the day. The pain was sharp, shooting and achy. I was unable to complete my daily living activities such as cooking and cleaning the house. Dr. Zabi advised that I had positive MRI findings. He examined me, and recommended that I get a thoracic epidural injection for pain management. My mid back pain was waking me up throughout the night, so I decided to move forward with the injection.

 

8 days later, I presented to Dr. Zabi’s out patient surgery center for the thoracic (mid back) epidural injection. The procedure went well and provided me with some much-needed pain relief. Unfortunately, about 3 days later my mid back pain returned. Due to the onset of mid back pain, I immediately return to Dr. Zabi’s office for a follow-up visit. He examined me, and recommended a second thoracic epidural injection. One week later, I received my 2nd thoracic epidural injection which provided me with significant pain relief. At this point, my pain levels were 5/10.

 

As a result of my ongoing low back, neck, and mid back pain I returned to Dr. Zabi for a follow up. I was unable to complete my activities of daily living such as exercising, cooking, and cleaning. Sitting for prolonged periods of time aggravates my low back pain. Dr. Zabi recommended that I undergo trigger point injections to my low back as a result of the nerve root impingement shown on my lumbar MRI’s. Dr. Zabi performed the lumbar facet injection in-office that day. I was discharged home with instructions to rest and begin a course of physical therapy 2-3 times a week for 6 weeks. Dr. Zabi recommended that I undergo repeat thoracic epidural injections if my pain returns. He also recommended a lumbar (low back) epidural injection for pain management. The cost of each injection was estimated at $15,000. Although I did not move forward with the lumbar epidural, I knew that I could recover the cost of the injection from the insurance company after submitting my settlement demand.

 

10 days later, I went to Yellowjacket physical therapy for treatment. The goal of physical therapy was to decrease my neck, mid back, and low back pain while improving my active range of motion. I continued treatment here for 6 weeks prior to being discharged home with instructions to continue with a home exercise program.

 

Negotiation & Semi Truck Accident Settlement Offer

At this point, my medical care and treatment was complete, so I requested all of my medical records and bills from my treating doctors. I was preparing to send a settlement demand to the semi-trucks insurance carrier to be compensated for my injuries and damages. I was looking forward to finally resolving my case and moving forward with my life.

 

My total medical bills were $55,000. I was shocked, however I knew that the trucking companies insurance carrier accepted liability for the crash and would be liable for my damages including pain and suffering, along with past and future medical bills. I was still suffering from pain and discomfort and having trouble sleeping due to my pain. I knew that I would eventually need future medical care and treatment, including additional injections if I had a significant flare up of pain.

 

I prepared the settlement demand and included all of my medical records and bills, including the operative reports from the injections. I made a demand for $150,000 because I knew that I would need expensive injections in the future. I gave the insurance company three weeks to respond with a semi truck accident settlement offer. One week later, the insurance adjuster from the trucking company called me and confirmed receipt of the settlement demand. The adjuster assured me that they would promptly evaluate the demand and get back to me by the deadline.

 

Two weeks later, the adjuster called me and told me that they were rejecting my $150,000 demand and made a  truck accident settlement offer of $75,000. At this point, I was frustrated. I knew that my case was worth more, so I submitted a counter offer to the insurance company for $125,000.  In my counter letter, I explained everything that I went through as a result of the truck drivers negligence, and made sure to let them know that I required additional epidural injections if I had a flare up of pain. I included the cost of the injections ($15,000 each) in the counter offer and advised that I would require follow-up visits with my orthopedic doctor.

 

One week later, the adjuster called me and made a new offer for $100,000. We discussed the case on the phone and eventually I came down to $110,000 and the adjuster accepted. The insurance company forwarded me a settlement release to sign and I sent it back the same day. My check arrived at home the following week. It took about 6 months for my case to settle, but the $110,000 semi truck accident settlement was well worth it!

More Semi Truck Accident Settlement Examples

Below are real examples of truck accident settlements and verdicts that found the truck driver at fault:

• $54,420,000 Truck Accident Lawsuit: A 12-person jury decided in favor of the family of a 50 year-old woman who died due to a trucker’s negligence in the service of PFG Milton, Inc. The jury awarded $10,420,000 in compensatory damages, and $44,000,000 for punitive damages to the family of the woman who was killed in the truck accident. In many large truck accident settlement cases, going to court is the only option due to the punitive damages, which are usually not included in out of court settlements.
• Semi
• Truck accident settlement: $12,000,000. This case was a pre-trial settlement; occurred at an intersection between two semi trucks where one allegedly ran a red light. Traumatic brain injury was involved, causing the victim lifelong brain damage, which resulted in the 8 figure truck accident settlement.
• $9,300,000 Wrongful death settlement: An elderly woman was hit by a semi truck while stopped on the side of the road, killing her instantly. Her family was awarded almost $10,000,000 in the settlement.
• $6,500,000 Semi Truck Accident Settlement Due to Negligence: Settled shortly before trial, the insurance company admitted that the woman’s death was caused by being rear ended by a poorly maintained commercial truck and decided to settle out of court for millions.
• $430,000 Head On Collision Settlement: A semi truck crossed over into other lane causing a head on collision suffering broken bones and separated shoulder requiring surgery. The driver in this case was very lucky, the survival rate for head on collisions with semi trucks is not high.
• $875,000 pedestrian accident settlement: A semi truck hit a pedestrian suffered broken bones and torn spleen.
• $2,275,000 wrongful death truck accident settlement: A woman and her son were walking on the side of the highway due to car complications when a semi truck hit them killing the mother and leaving the son with severe injuries.
• $10,500,000 wrongful death car accident settlement: A semi truck was driving and tipped over dumping all the sand it was carrying out onto a womans’ vehicle, tragically killing her.
• $1,200,000 T-bone Accident Settlement: A semi truck failed to yield slamming into a woman’s’ vehicle causing several injuries to her ankle, wrist and knee. A physical therapist by trade, she was unable to work for nearly a year and faced a lifetime of pain.

The above results far exceed the minimum liability limits required by the FMCSA. When faced with serious semi truck accident injuries, seek experienced legal counsel as your settlement may go above and beyond.

Verdicts And Settlements For Truck Accidents

Here are just a few more examples of real life truck accident settlements:

• A woman injured by a postal truck received a settlement of over $200,000 dollars
• A rear-end accident between a rented moving truck and a small car resulted in a $175,000 truck accident settlement
• Each driver in a 5-car accident caused by a semi-truck received individual truck accident settlements of over $50,000 each.
• A pedestrian hit by a delivery truck with an inattentive driver received over $120,000 in a settlement

Truck Accident Settlement Calculator:

Were you involved in a truck accident causing injury? Find out how much financial compensation you may be legally entitled to in just minutes with our free online Car Accident Settlement Calculator.

Unfortunately, state and local laws surrounding commercial trucking and insurance policies vary. This makes it difficult for a settlement calculator to give anything better than a ballpark estimate. If you need help determining how much your truck accident settlement may be worth, or what your next steps in the claim process should be, reach out to a local attorney.

Truck Accident Lawyers and Their Importance in Your Case

It is true that many semi truck accidents result in higher settlements. Of course, the bottom line is that money will never compensate a person for the loss of a loved one. Money also will not always make an injured person whole.

Every semi truck accident and settlement is completely unique. Anyone who has suffered due to trucker negligence will usually face an aggressive insurance company. The insurance company will attempt to minimize liability. If the case goes to court, the trucking company attorneys also will attempt to minimize any potential settlement or verdict. Remember, if in doubt, it is vital to get legal counsel to properly safeguard your legal rights.

Having an expert on your side to ensure that you receive the best representation in your claim is essential. Truck accident lawyers have years of experience working with a variety of big truck claims. Each different type of truck involved in an accident follows different laws and regulations. Additionally, there are other reasons why you will want to hire an expert truck accident lawyer:

• They will be able to determine the validity of your case
• A lawyer will take your case through the settlement process as fast as possible
• They will have knowledge of local laws and regulations may affect your case
• A lawyer can fight for the highest possible settlement claim
• They will be able to handle much of the paperwork while you recover

Fighting with insurance companies to receive proper compensation for your injuries, time, property damage, and pain and suffering can become exhausting. A truck accident lawyer will handle most of the day to day work involved in reaching a settlement. This allows you to focus on your recovery. Not only does working with a lawyer provide peace of mind, but it will allow the truck accident  settlement process to move as fast as possible.

Talk To an Attorney For Help With Your Semi-Truck Accident Settlement

Getting as much money as you can for a truck accident settlement takes all the skills and negotiating savvy of a skilled truck accident attorney. Get a free settlement estimate and find out how much your claim is worth.

• What’s my car accident settlement worth?
• Find out in less than 60 Seconds!

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