What is the average truck accident settlement in Florida? For some injured accident victims, it can be in the millions. Truck accidents are some of the most costly crashes on the road, and injured victims need to know how to obtain maximum compensation after suffering an injury.
Unfortunately, there is no magic truck accident settlement number you need to reach. That’s because each truck accident case is unique, and your compensation should reflect your unique situation.
For this reason, you must contact a truck accident lawyer to review your case immediately.
Truck Accidents in Florida
Truck accidents are unfortunately common in Florida. Over the last five years, there have been approximately 37,978 commercial vehicle accidents each year, according to statistics from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. These are typically truck accidents involving 18-wheelers and other large commercial trucks. Thousands of individuals are injured yearly in these accidents, and many of them file car insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits for their cases.
If you were recently injured in a truck accident, you might wonder what these cases are typically worth. Florida truck accident lawyer Prosper Shaked discusses how these settlements and damages are calculated across the state.
How Much is My Truck Accident Case Worth in FL?
Florida truck accident cases vary in how much they are worth based on the specifics of each case. Statistics on settlements and insurance payouts are not commonly available, especially since people generally like to keep these values private. Even if they were readily available, finding out the average truck accident settlement in Florida will not help you understand your case worth. This is because each case is vastly different, and no two injuries are ever quite the same.
To understand what your case is worth, it is important to understand what damages you can claim after a car or truck accident injury. Prosper Shaked can help. For more information, visit Prosper Shaked’s guide for handling big rig trucking accidents in Florida.
Medical Expenses
First, you could be entitled to damages for medical expenses. These damages are paid to cover the medical bills you face because of the accident. Serious injuries could require ongoing care that lasts for years. These injuries may also require expensive equipment like wheelchairs and ADA-compliant ramps for your home if you suffer spinal cord injury and paralysis.
You can typically claim the damages you faced during your emergency treatment and recovery on top of the ongoing and future damages you will also face. However, the total damages may only be available in a truck accident lawsuit. Accepting a settlement from the trucking company or their insurance company may entitle you to only a fraction of the damages you could claim in court.
Lost Wages
If you are too injured to work after your truck accident, you may miss work for a prolonged period while recovering. If your injuries were serious, they might interfere with your physical or mental ability to do your job, requiring you to retire entirely or take a lower-paying job with reduced physical tasks. While you can’t work, you may have no income to pay for medical expenses and ongoing self-care.
You can claim these damages as part of a truck accident lawsuit. If you earn less money going forward, you can also claim the value of your reduced earning capacity as damages. If you file your case through insurance or accept a settlement, you may once again receive limited payments or a percentage of your typical wages.
Pain and Suffering
You can collect these damages to cover the physical pain you feel, the emotional distress you suffer from an accident, and the other effects you suffer from your injuries. These damages could also include the harm you suffered from not enjoying certain activities you used to do before the injury.
Typically, insurance payouts do not cover these damages, and settlements with the at-fault parties might reduce these damages. You may need to take your case to court to claim total damages.
Punitive Damages
Although these damages are rare, they are worth mentioning in the context of truck accident cases. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates and oversees commercial motor vehicles across the United States. This includes more than 500,000 commercial trucking companies and more than 4,000 bus companies that travel across the country daily.
The FMCSA regulations require truck drivers and their trucking companies to follow specific rules for driver health and safety and vehicle equipment and maintenance. If truckers or trucking companies violate these rules or repeatedly ignore the regulations, courts may award victims additional “punitive damages” to punish the at-fault party. These damages are often substantial.
Though these damages are rare in many cases, the trucking industry often sees problems with regulations that courts may enforce with punitive damages.
Suing for Truck Accident Injuries in Florida
If you suffered an injury in a truck accident, you might be able to take the truck driver and their employer, the trucking company, to court. While Florida rules may require you to file with your insurance company for some accidents, many Florida 18-wheeler accidents come with serious injuries that qualify you to take your case to court instead.
When you accept an insurance payout or settlement from the at-fault party, you may limit the damages you are entitled to. Taking your case to court could entitle you to full damages on your case. This is especially helpful if you are suing for the death of a loved one rather than your own injuries.
Call Our Miami Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Legal Consultation
For help understanding the best way to get compensation on your case and where your injury settlement money is if you’ve already filed, contact Miami personal injury lawyer Prosper Shaked today. Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA represents victims and their families and fights at-fault truck drivers and trucking companies to get you the compensation you need. Call us at (305) 694-2676 today to schedule a free consultation on your case or fill out our confidential contact form.