If you have been injured in a truck accident in Dallas or Fort Worth, you can seek compensation for your injuries, property damage, lost wages, and other damages. Various factors will help determine the value of your truck accident claim and how much you should expect as a settlement from the insurance company.
Every Texas auto accident has unique facts and circumstances that determine potential compensation. This means there is no standard value for truck accident claims in Texas. The compensation you receive for your truck accident case will depend on the issue of legal liability, specific insurance-related questions, and other factors.
Determining the value of a truck accident claim in Texas can be highly complex. If you are wondering how much you can get from a semi-truck accident, you should consider hiring a truck accident attorney to determine the value of your claim.
At Francis Injury Car & Truck Accident Lawyers, our legal team will assess the specifics of your personal injury claim to help you determine the maximum value of all your expenses—past, present, and future. Our legal team will evaluate the specific factors associated with your truck accident to arrive at a fair estimate of how much you can get from a semi-truck accident.
Dallas Truck Accident Settlements Always Vary
Many factors come into play after truck collisions. Every truck wreck in Dallas or Fort Worth is different, depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident. For this reason, there is no definite average settlement for truck accident claims.
Although there isn't a clear-cut average figure for these types of claims, our Texas truck accident lawyers can assess the facts surrounding your truck accident and evaluate your damages to estimate your claim's worth. This will give you a rough idea of how much you should expect when seeking a fair truck accident settlement.
Truck Accident Factors That May Affect Your Claim
Although no lawyer can guarantee the outcome of your Dallas or Fort Worth truck accident case or the exact compensation for financial damages, a knowledgeable semi-truck accident attorney can realistically estimate your claim's potential value.
When you schedule your case review with an experienced lawyer, they'll examine critical truck accident factors to determine how much you can get from a semi-truck accident. Here are some of the factors that may affect your truck accident settlement:
Fault and Liability
Fault is critical when determining if and how much you can get from a semi-truck accident claim. Texas is an at-fault state, meaning the negligent party responsible for your big rig crash is liable for all damages. Simply put, Texas insurance laws require the driver accountable for the truck accident to pay for your injury expenses and other accident-related costs.
In most Dallas truck accident cases, the truck driver is primarily at fault and liable for damages. Nonetheless, you and your truck wreck attorney must prove fault to receive financial compensation from their insurance provider. For example, if a trucker operates their vehicle under alcohol, they may be liable for damages after an accident. In Texas, commercial drivers are considered intoxicated if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .04% or higher.
There are instances where more than one party may be at fault for your truck accident. Other liable third parties may include:
- The trucking company
- The maintenance company
- Part manufacturers
- Truck loaders
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning the court will assign percentages of blame to all parties involved in the crash. You may not recover compensation if your fault for the truck accident exceeds 50%. Always consult with a truck accident attorney to discuss your rights and the compensation you deserve.
Severity of Your Injuries
Truck accident injuries are often serious, catastrophic, and even life-threatening. You and your truck wreck lawyer must consider the extent and severity of your injuries and how they'll affect your life when determining how much your accident claim is worth.
The more severe your injuries, the more considerable the settlement or verdict amount. For example, if you are unable to do certain things due to your traumatic brain injury, you are likely to receive a higher settlement than if you sustained minor flesh wounds and recovered quickly.
Medical Care Expenses
If you have been hurt in a Dallas truck accident, you should seek medical care immediately—if not immediately. Even if you believe you are okay, it's best to visit your doctor so they can make that determination. Your health and well-being should be your priority after an accident.
To determine the value of your medical costs, you should keep a record of all treatment procedures and bills associated with the truck accident. Your financial compensation may cover past, present, and future medical care expenses, including:
- Doctor bills
- Hospital bills
- Hospitalization
- Rehabilitation
- Emergency medical services
- Prescription medications
- Travel expenses for doctor appointments
Other Truck Accident Damages
Medical care expenses aren't the only damages that may affect the value of your Dallas truck accident claim. You may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages that may increase your settlement amount. Property damages, pain and suffering, and lost wages are some of the damages that may boost the value of your claim.
Amount of Insurance Coverage
Insurance policy limits are critical when evaluating how much you can get from a semi-truck accident in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. In reality, insurers for the trucking company and the trucker won't cover compensation exceeding their liability coverage limit. You'll likely receive more financial compensation if the trucker has substantial coverage that covers all your damages.
Your Statements About the Truck Accident
Whatever you say after a truck collision may significantly impact your personal injury claim. This is particularly true if you speak to other drivers at the scene. It may also apply if you are on the phone with a claims adjuster.
Here's what you should keep in mind when speaking to other parties after a truck wreck:
- Never say you are "good," "okay," or "fine."
- Never say anything that may be construed as an admission of fault.
- Never agree to a written or recorded statement regarding your version of events.
What About Punitive Damages?
In rare cases, you may be eligible for punitive damages after a commercial truck accident in Dallas, TX. Civil courts award these damages when the at-fault driver's actions or omissions are considered egregious. They are also awarded in cases of malice or intentional harm.
Your lawyer must gather and analyze evidence to prove gross negligence to receive punitive damages in Dallas. Your lawyer may talk to witnesses, examine police reports and medical records, look into accident scene photos, and work with accident reconstruction experts to prove gross negligence. These damages may also affect how much you receive after a truck wreck in Dallas or Fort Worth.
Find Out How Truck Accident Factors Affect Your Settlement Amount Today
When calculating the value of your claim, each of the above factors will be considered. You should note that the insurance company will likely propose a lowball offer that doesn't cover all your damages.
Whatever the case, never settle for the first offer from an insurance company. At the Francis Injury Law Firm, our law firm specializes in evaluating and settling truck accident claims for those involved in a truck collision in Dallas, Fort Worth, and all over Texas.
Our team of experienced personal injury lawyers will assess all aspects of your case, including medical bills, to file a claim that genuinely reflects your losses. We’ll ensure that your insurance claim is supported by comprehensive evidence to maximize your compensation.Contact us today to schedule your free, no-risk consultation with our reliable semi-accident attorneys. You won't pay anything unless we secure compensation on your behalf. Call 817-329-9001 or speak with an attorney online to find out how we can help you.