When an 18-wheeler semi-truck plows into a regular passenger car or pickup, the results are usually catastrophic for the folks in the smaller vehicle. Injuries so severe that no amount of money can make things truly “right” again.
But at the same time, these victims and their families face staggering medical bills, months or years out of work, and ongoing care costs that can bankrupt them if they don’t get proper compensation. That’s where holding the negligent trucking companies fully accountable becomes absolutely critical. But how much compensation is enough?
In reality, 18-wheeler accident settlements vary widely based on the specifics of the case. So, unfortunately, there is no true “average” to expect. Be wary of injury attorneys telling you how much you can get without reviewing the specifics of your case.
Our team at DP Injury Attorneys has gone toe-to-toe with a major trucking company and their insurers. We know how to fight for the maximum available compensation when they try to lowball our clients with insulting offers. Here’s what you need to know about getting compensated after an 18-wheeler wreck.
A minor collision in California may result in settlements between from a few thousand to $100,000 or more. These situations usually involve recoverable injuries, as well as vehicle damage.
Moderate injuries in which rehabilitation is required, like multiple broken bones, can result in settlements of thousands to millions of dollars.
In cases where the accident caused disabling injuries, like spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries or even death, the settlement can increase substantially. If you have been injured in a permanent and life-changing way, the settlement could potentially be in the millions.
However, every trucking accident case is unique, and there are no guarantees.
At DP Injury Attorneys, we have secured multi-million dollar settlements for clients suffering catastrophic injuries when hit by negligent drivers.
A few examples of our case results include:
As you can see, we have a proven track record of relentlessly advocating for San Diego accident victims to maximize their compensation from the trucking companies and insurers. Whether it’s a multi-million dollar case case or a disputed liability claim worth hundreds of thousands, we leave no stone unturned to recover every dollar you deserve.
With DP Injury Attorneys’ skilled 18-wheeler accident attorneys fighting for you, you can have confidence that your settlement will account for:
Don’t let the trucking company take advantage of you by trying to minimize or dispute what your case is really worth. The trucking company lawyers will do everything they can to protect profits over making things right for you.
Get DP Injury Attorneys in your corner from the very start, and we’ll make them take your catastrophic 18-wheeler accident case seriously from Day 1. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation case review to have an elite semi-truck accident lawyer evaluate your legal rights and potential settlement value. You deserve to recover maximum compensation – it’s that simple.
In any motor vehicle collision, the key factor in determining compensation is establishing who was at fault and liable for the accident occurring. With commercial semi-trucks, there are extra layers of potential negligence that must be investigated beyond just the truck driver’s actions.
Some common examples of negligence that can lead to 18-wheeler crashes include:
In many trucking accident cases, there are potentially multiple at-fault parties whose negligence contributed to the crash occurring. An experienced San Diego truck accident lawyer will investigate every possible avenue to determine all sources of liability.
This is crucial not just for maximizing your probability of recovering compensation but also for seeking the highest possible settlement from all negligent parties and their insurers.
If the trucking company or another party is found negligent and liable for your injuries, you may be entitled to recover compensation for:
In cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct by the trucking company or driver, additional punitive damages may be awarded to punish the at-fault party.
To accurately calculate both your economic damages and subjective non-economic damages, it’s essential to have expert testimony and evidence documenting the full extent of your injuries. This helps ensure the trucking company’s insurer cannot minimize or dispute the settlement value.
While the specific details and circumstances surrounding your trucking accident case will largely dictate the potential settlement, some key factors that frequently come into play include:
The more catastrophic and debilitating your injuries, the higher your likely settlement for current/future medical costs and non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Severe injuries that impact earning capacity also increase claims.
Having strong evidence of negligence, such as Hours of Service violations, improper maintenance, impaired driving, etc., makes it harder for the trucking company to dispute liability. The more clear-cut the negligence, the higher they may settle.
While trucking companies must carry higher insurance minimums, those policies still have upper limits. If your damages exceed the coverage, you may only recover a portion of what you’re owed unless you go after additional assets.
Trucking companies have teams of lawyers protecting their interests. You need an equally formidable San Diego truck accident attorney who can effectively negotiate the maximum possible settlement through skilled arbitration tactics.
At the end of the day, no two 18-wheeler accident cases are alike when it comes to assessing fair compensation. That’s why it’s so crucial to have an experienced trucking accident law firm evaluate the specific details of your accident, gather all the relevant evidence, and calculate an accurate settlement that accounts for both your economic damages and subjective pain and suffering.
Without such professional legal representation, you’ll be at the mercy of the trucking company’s insurers, who are incentivized to minimize their monetary exposure at all costs.
If you or someone you love was critically injured after being hit by an 18-wheeler truck in San Diego County, you cannot afford to wait to explore your legal options. With cases this complex, evidence can quickly go missing and legal filing deadlines can catch up to you before you secure proper representation.
At DP Injury Attorneys of San Diego, we have years of experience going toe-to-toe with the biggest trucking companies and insurers in high-stakes injury cases. We’ve recovered tens of millions in settlements and verdicts for our past clients, knowing exactly what evidence to look for and legal strategies to employ.
That’s why we encourage you to take advantage of our free, no-obligation consultations. We can evaluate your case and estimate its potential settlement value, with no costs or fees due until we recover compensation for you.
Don’t try to fight this battle alone against well-funded trucking company lawyers and insurers who will do everything they can to devalue your claim. Waiting also risks losing the opportunity to collect the compensation you deserve for your medical care, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Arthur Paul D’Egidio is the Managing Partner of DP Injury Attorneys, a San Diego personal injury law firm. With more than 12 years of experience in California injury law, he has dedicated his practice to representing clients in a wide range of personal injury matters, including car accidents, workers’ compensation, slip and falls, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death cases.
Arthur received his Juris Doctor from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law and is a member of the State Bar of California as well as the San Diego County Bar Association. He has received numerous accolades for his work, including being named a Super Lawyer for seven straight years by Thomson Reuters and a “Top 40 Under 40” by the National Trial Lawyers.
