Truck Accident Settlement Offers in Ohio

A truck accident can change your life in an instant. You’re coping with serious injuries. You’re looking at a mountain of medical bills. And even worse, you may not know whether you will make a full recovery. How will you manage? For many victims, the answer is by seeking compensation through a truck accident settlement.

But before you get involved in settlement negotiations, you need to understand what your case is worth. Insurers often deny or undervalue truck accident claims to protect their bottom lines. You deserve better. Get help from an experienced truck accident lawyer at Swenson & Shelley.

Our skilled attorneys are renowned for handling Utah personal injury claims. We put a premium on client satisfaction and work aggressively for maximum compensation in every case. Whether you need help finding the right doctors or getting the debt collectors off your back, you can trust our truck accident lawyers to meet your needs and exceed your expectations. Call or contact us today for a free consultation.

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Important Factors in a Truck Accident Settlement

The amount of compensation you can recover in a truck accident settlement depends on several factors, including:

  • The severity of your injuries – Did your injuries prevent you from working, result in a disability, or cause permanent scarring or disfigurement? The greater the injury, the more money you could potentially receive.
  • Who is at fault – A truck accident differs from the average car crash because multiple parties, such as the truck company, truck driver, an automaker, or government agency, could share responsibility for the accident. When more than one party is at fault, your ability to recover compensation gets complicated.
  • The amount of insurance coverage for the liable party(s) – You can only recover compensation up to the at-fault party’s policy limits.
  • Pain and suffering – Utah law recognizes that truck accidents cause more than just financial losses. Catastrophic injuries can lead to immense pain, suffering, and lost quality of life for accident victims. Though no receipts can demonstrate pain and suffering, a skilled truck accident attorney can put a fair dollar value on these damages.
  • The strength of the evidence – Winning a truck accident case requires solid evidence proving the other party’s negligence. A lawyer can investigate your case while you recuperate so that valuable proof doesn’t get lost, destroyed, or erased.
  • Results of cases similar to yours – Every truck accident case is unique. However, a knowledgeable attorney can research how much juries have awarded to victims in cases like yours to come up with a fair settlement amount.

No amount of money can replace everything lost after a serious truck accident. However, the goal of a settlement is to reach a compromise that accounts for your losses so that you can move forward in life.

Insurance Companies Make Low Initial Settlement Offers

Soon after a truck accident, the trucking company or its insurer may offer you a quick cash settlement. Although getting badly needed money is tempting, remember that the insurance company’s initial offer rarely represents a fair settlement value for your claim. And if you accept that settlement, you won’t be able to ask for more money later.

Insurance companies are businesses interested in maximizing profits and minimizing losses. They hope to get you to accept a quick settlement before you’ve had a chance to talk to a truck accident attorney or understand the full extent of your losses. Wait for an attorney’s advice before making a recorded statement or signing paperwork for the insurance company.

Truck Accident Settlement Amounts Vary

There’s no such thing as an average truck accident claim. Each case has different facts — and every detail matters when it comes to truck accident settlements. Even a case that seems nearly identical to yours could result in a different financial outcome.

If your case wins, a truck accident settlement can include money losses like:

  • Medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Costs for long-term health and personal care if you suffer a permanent disability
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earning potential
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Punitive damages

How Much Is a Typical Pain & Suffering Settlement?

Like average settlement amounts, there is no such thing as a typical pain and suffering settlement. Money for pain and suffering is intended to compensate you for the physical and emotional suffering you endured due to the truck crash. Pain and suffering compensation can also account for the loss of enjoyment and decreased quality of life you experience because of permanent scarring or disfigurement, embarrassment, humiliation, disabilities that interfere with your daily activities, or reduced life expectancy.

What Should I Do After a Semi-Truck Accident?

Protecting your truck accident claim can start at the accident scene. Follow these steps if you’re able:

  • Document the crash site by taking photos and videos of vehicle damage, marks or debris on the road, traffic signals, and weather or road conditions.
  • Collect insurance information from the truck driver and any others involved in the collision.
  • Identify witnesses and ask for their contact information.
  • Seek medical attention to have your injuries examined, treated, and added to your medical record.
  • Follow your doctor’s treatment plan exactly as prescribed.
  • Keep copies of all accident-related bills and documents.
  • Contact a truck accident lawyer for an initial consultation.

Don’t worry if your injuries prevented you from gathering evidence at the accident scene. The truck accident attorneys at Swenson & Shelley conduct thorough investigations that begin as soon as you hire us. Your only job is to recover from the crash.

What are Common Injuries After an 18-Wheeler Accident?

The force that an 18-wheeler can impart in a collision can cause severe bodily trauma. Common truck accident injuries include:

  • Broken bones
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Ligament, tendon, and muscle injuries
  • Herniated discs
  • Spinal cord injury and paralysis
  • Whiplash
  • Nerve damage
  • Burns
  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Vital organ damage
  • Internal bleeding
  • Amputation

How Long Does It Take to Get a Settlement Offer for a Truck Accident?

Truck accident claims often have a high value, so insurance companies may be more willing to invest time and money in defending themselves from liability claims. The harder they want to fight, the longer it could take to settle in Utah. However, if the facts are clear and liability is not in dispute, both parties may reach a settlement more quickly.

The severity of your injuries matters, too. Your truck accident attorney may advise waiting to settle until your doctor declares that no further medical treatment can improve your condition. This is a smart strategy in cases where victims suffer severe injuries and have disabilities expected to last the rest of their lives.

Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney to Get the Most from Your Settlement

A full and fair settlement can position you for the best quality of life possible after a truck accident. Let an attorney from Swenson & Shelley negotiate for the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today for a free case review.

Watch this video to learn why accepting truck accident settlement offers from an insurance company isn’t a good idea.

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