Many people involved in truck accidents wonder how much money they might be able to recover by filing a personal injury claim. There are no fixed average settlement amounts for truck accidents in Georgia. The compensation you might receive depends on several factors, including the extent of your injuries, the amount of insurance coverage available, and your lawyer’s capabilities, for example.
The attorneys at Bayuk Pratt have an extensive track record of securing impressive results in truck accident cases, including $4.2 million in a box truck crash, $1 million in a tractor-trailer wreck, and $900,000 in an accident involving a semi-truck and a pedestrian.
Contact us now for a free consultation to discuss your legal options for pursuing a truck accident settlement in Georgia.
What Factors Can Affect the Amount of a Truck Accident Settlement?
Several factors influence the settlement amount for a truck accident in Georgia. Some examples include:
- Severity of injuries – One of the most significant determining factors for your settlement amount is how serious your injuries Minor injuries will typically result in lower compensation than severe or life-threatening injuries. The greater the physical harm, the higher the compensation tends to be.
- Liability – Who is responsible for the accident also plays a significant role in determining the settlement. There may also be instances where more than one party may share fault. That could mean more sources of recovery. In contrast, if you were partially at fault, it could mean a smaller award.
- Lost wages – If you cannot work because of the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. That can include past lost income, as well as any future earning potential you’ve lost due to your injuries. For example, if your injuries prevent you from continuing in your current job or from working full time, your settlement could include compensation for long-term wage loss.
- Medical expenses – Truck accident settlements often cover your medical expenses, including emergency room visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term care. Ongoing treatments, like rehabilitation or medication, are also considered when determining how much compensation you can get.
- Insurance coverage – The amount of insurance available is another key factor. Commercial trucks typically carry more insurance than personal vehicles because of the potential for severe accidents. However, if the at-fault party’s insurance coverage isn’t sufficient to cover all the losses, it could affect your total settlement amount.
- Property damage – The amount you recover will factor in the extent of damage to your vehicle. That is based on the value of your vehicle before the accident and the cost of repairs.
What Compensation Can a Truck Accident Settlement Include?
When determining the settlement amount for a truck accident in Georgia, it is essential to understand the different types of compensation you may be entitled to receive. A settlement covers more than just immediate expenses. It aims to fully address the financial and emotional impact of the accident, helping to make you whole again.
Here are some of the types of compensation you may be entitled to recover in a truck accident claim:
- Medical expenses – This includes everything from the cost of emergency care at the time of the accident to any future medical treatments.
- Lost wages – You may be able to demand compensation for lost wages if your injuries prevent you from working.
- Pain and suffering – Injuries from a truck accident do not just cause financial hardship. They can also lead to mental anguish and physical pain, which are also compensable.
- Loss of enjoyment of life – If your injuries stop you from enjoying activities you once participated in, you may be eligible for compensation. It is more common in cases where the injuries have long-term effects on your quality of life.
- Property damage – If your vehicle is damaged or totaled, you can demand the money you need to repair or replace it.
Should I Accept the Insurance Company’s Initial Settlement Offer?
Do not accept an offer without talking to our attorneys first. It’s important to approach the insurance company’s initial settlement offer with caution. Insurance companies are businesses, and their goal is to pay minimal compensation to protect their profits. While it might be tempting to accept the first offer, especially if you’re facing medical bills or are out of work, it’s typically not in your best interest.
Most initial offers do not account for the full extent of your injuries or the long-term costs you might face, such as ongoing medical treatment or future lost wages. Our attorneys can evaluate whether the offer is fair. If we believe you deserve more compensation, we can negotiate for a higher settlement that fully covers your losses. If the insurance company won’t make a fair offer, our lawyers will be ready to pursue your claim in court.
Does Georgia Have a Time Limit for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit?
In most truck accident cases, you have two years from the crash date to file a lawsuit for compensation. If you wait longer than two years, you will likely lose the chance to take legal action and seek the money you deserve. It’s important to act within this time frame so you don’t miss out on your rights.
Don’t wait too long to seek legal help, as building a strong case requires gathering evidence and witness statements, which can become more difficult as time passes.
Why Should I Hire a Lawyer for a Truck Accident Settlement in Georgia?
In truck accidents, more than one person or company might be responsible, like the truck driver, the trucking company, or the makers of faulty truck parts, for example. Figuring out who is at fault can be challenging because each person or company might be responsible in different ways. That makes it necessary to look closely at all the details to understand who is really at fault.
Our lawyers are ready to assist with your truck accident case by:
- Determining liability – Our lawyers are skilled at investigating accidents and determining who is responsible. We frequently work with accident reconstruction experts and review driving records and maintenance logs to prove fault.
- Calculating the full extent of your losses – We understand the various forms of compensation available and will work to determine the money you need to cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more.
- Negotiating with insurance companies – Our truck accident attorneys know how to negotiate and fight for the best possible settlement for you, even against insurance companies that will do everything possible to pay victims the least amount of money.
Contact a Georgia Truck Accident Lawyer
If you are dealing with injuries from a truck accident in Georgia, you should seek legal guidance as soon as possible. The experienced truck accident lawyers at Bayuk Pratt are ready to review your case and work toward getting the compensation you need during this difficult time.
Contact our personal injury attorneys now for a free consultation about your truck accident case.
