Grapevine Truck Accident Settlements
There is no exact amount or average settlement to expect after a truck accident. Every case with commercial trucks, including massive 18-wheelers, is unique and has varying circumstances. In these cases, judges will consider the total damages and other facts, including the extent of the negligence that caused the crash.
After a thorough review, the judge or jury will decide on the settlement for each case. However, accidents with commercial vehicles are often severe, and the award amounts can be significant. Schedule a meeting with a knowledgeable lawyer to learn more about Grapevine truck accident settlements.
The Severity of the Injuries and Damages
Commercial trucks’ massive size and weight can potentially cause severe or catastrophic injuries to other motorists in the event of a crash. Because catastrophic disasters have devastating consequences, including severe physical, physical, and psychological damage, the settlements often include compensation to pay for the total losses and future expenses.
When awarding these settlements, judges will also consider the comprehensive amount of property damage and the long-term effects of the accident. A skilled attorney in Grapevine could answer questions after analyzing the details, including the extent of the damage.
Recoverable Damages After Truck Accidents
Courts typically break tractor-trailer collision settlements into two primary categories.
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate plaintiffs for the out-of-pocket expenses they incur due to an accident, including:
- The total cost of medical care, including future expenses
- Lost income while the plaintiff recovers from the accident
- Home renovations and transportation costs to medical expenses
Courts can easily measure these losses through bills and receipts.
Noneconomic Damages
The civil court also awards noneconomic damages to compensate the plaintiff. These damages cover non-monetary losses, including psychological injuries they sustained in the truck crash, including:
- Mental and emotional pain and anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
These settlements help injured victims regain their financial status before a tractor-trailer crash. Civil law also understands how life-altering mental, emotional, and psychological damage can be after semi accidents.
The Modified Comparative Negligence Rule
Civil law follows a modified comparative negligence rule in this state, meaning if a plaintiff shares responsibility for an accident, the court will subtract their percentage of fault from the total settlement amount. However, under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, or proportionate responsibility, if a court finds a plaintiff is more than 50% liable for an accident, they cannot recover compensation.
Should a jury find a plaintiff is less than 50% responsible, they will subtract that amount from an injured person’s total settlement. For example, if an award is $300,000, but the court finds that the injured party is 10% at fault, the plaintiff can only collect $270,000. A seasoned lawyer familiar with truck crash settlements statutes in Grapevine could answer specific questions regarding potential award amounts.
Call a Seasoned Grapevine Attorney about Truck Accident Settlements
If you suffered losses in a severe accident with a negligent trucker or transportation company, civil laws could entitle you to collect a significant settlement to cover the damage. While the compensation will not change your injuries, the payout could help you pay for your crash-related expenses and hold the careless party accountable for their actions.
A settlement could cover the cost of healthcare, lost salary and benefits, and the pain and suffering caused by a crash. Call a lawyer today to discuss Grapevine truck accident settlements.