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July 10th, 2024
Truck accidents can result in catastrophic injuries with immense financial consequences. As Oregon truck accident attorneys, our clients often ask us, “What is the average settlement for a truck accident?”
It’s a common question, but the answer isn’t always straightforward.
While it would be great to give you an average settlement amount, the reality is that every case is unique, and many settlements are confidential. However, since we have been fighting for victims’ rights for years, we can tell you that several key factors influence whether your settlement is a few thousand dollars or several million.
In this article, we’ll dive into those factors and provide you with the information you need to understand the potential value of your truck accident claim.
Several critical considerations influence the value of Oregon truck accident and Washington truck accident settlements:
A necessary early step in personal injury litigation is determining which party or parties were at fault and to what extent. A truck driver may have been speeding, or the trucking company failed to maintain vehicle brakes properly.
Evidence proving negligence by commercial truck drivers or their employers strengthens cases. Average truck accident settlement amounts decrease when the injured party shares partial blame, such as not seeing the approaching truck or losing control of their vehicle.
More severe injuries that require substantial medical treatment and extended rehabilitation generally garner higher financial compensation. A mild concussion would generally settle for less than a severe head injury needing brain surgery and lengthy recovery care.
The nature of the wounds also matters – scarring and disfigurement warrant additional payouts. Ongoing health issues like chronic pain or reduced mobility also can boost settlement amounts.
Because medical bills are a damage that are generally recoverable in personal injury claims, cases with higher medical bills generally have higher settlements.
Many victims miss significant work time while healing. In general, the higher the lost wages, the greater the settlement value.
Quantifying these financial damages boosts payouts. Young victims have more years of hindered income streams, which can raise compensation even higher.
Pain and suffering include compensation for physical discomfort, emotional trauma, loss of enjoyment, and reduced quality of life.
Awards often connect to injury duration and mitigating factors like pre-existing conditions. Insurance companies often claim that injured people are exaggerating their pain and suffering, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you fight against these claims.
Oftentimes in trucking accidents there are available insurance coverages that the typical injured person may not know about. If you have been injured in a trucking accident, it is important to contact a personal injury attorney to help in investigating and finding all available insurance coverage.
To get full and fair claim compensation, injury victims should consult an experienced Oregon truck accident lawyer as soon after the crash as possible.
These attorneys handle insurance negotiations and assist with getting medical bills processed while victims focus on healing. They also work to prove negligence and maximize case value based on injury impact and financial damages.
Additionally, trucking companies and insurers commonly make quick lowball offers, hoping victims settle before realizing the entire case’s worth.
Don’t rush into settlements without exploring options and long-term costs. Patience and persistence pay during extended legal processes. Let qualified attorneys handle the legwork.
Given our state’s complex commercial vehicle liability laws, knowledge of compliance law is vital in truck accident cases.
Oregon truck accident attorneys may review the following compliance factors to help maximize settlement values:
Additionally, seasoned lawyers establish relationships with vocational experts, specialist physicians, and other support professionals.
This affiliation allows us to accurately calculate lifetime medical expenses, home health care costs, lost earning capacity analysis, and prove lasting pain and suffering.
The right lawyer empowers injury victims to claim the maximum compensable damages their unique cases warrant.
Truck accident settlements in Oregon can vary widely. Each case is different, with its own set of injuries, questions of who’s at fault, and financial impacts. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to these settlements.
To explore your settlement potential further, contact the Oregon truck accident attorneys at Hess Injury Law for a free consultation. Our legal team proudly helps truck accident victims recover maximum damages to cover treatment costs, replace lost income, and regain their lives.
Let our experience work for you while you focus energy on healing.
Disclaimer: The content of this blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal counsel.
Peter J. Hess grew up in Walla Walla, Washington. He is a 1996 graduate of Walla Walla High School and a 2000 graduate of the University of Washington, with a B.A. in Business Administration/Information Systems.
Peter graduated from Willamette University College of Law, with honors, in 2007. While at Willamette, he was an Associate Editor of the Willamette Law Review, he was a Teacher’s Assistant for a Legal Research and Writing professor, and he worked as a Personal Injury Law Clerk at Swanson, Lathen, Alexander & McCann in Salem, Oregon. After graduation from Willamette, Peter began working here at Hess Injury Law. In 2012, he became a partner in the firm. He is licensed to practice law in both Washington and Oregon.
