How much is the settlement if I was hit by a company vehicle? The settlement amount if you are hit by a company vehicle depends on the extent of your injuries, the degree of fault, if shared, the strength of your evidence, among other factors.
No two case settlements are exactly the same, even if both involve accidents with a company vehicle. An experienced Arlington motor vehicle accident lawyer can put an accurate value on your case and help you fight for fair compensation.
The Extent of Your Injuries Matters to Your Settlement Value
Motor vehicle accidents are among the causes of catastrophic paralysis injuries and causes of traumatic brain injuries. These kinds of injuries inflict tremendous physical and/or cognitive damage, cause upheaval in victims’ emotional well-being, and plunge victims and their households into financial crisis.
Such severe injuries typically command higher settlement amounts than those given for more moderate injuries that can heal with time and treatment and without serious risk for complications, such as broken bones or damage to soft tissue. Even so, moderate injuries can still impose financial hardship as medical costs are always high, and victims will likely lose wages during recovery time.
The pain, suffering, and reduced enjoyment of life that follow an injury also have value, and a fair settlement recognizes their worth. Again, the greater the pain and hardship the victims face, the higher the value of their claim. These standards apply whether victims are hit by a company vehicle or a privately owned one.
How Degree of Fault Affects Company Vehicle Settlements
Texas allows victims to seek damages for their injuries when they are less than 51% to blame for the accident, per Chapter 33 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code. The victim can see compensation reduced by whatever smaller percentage of fault they may hold.
This law applies to any accident, including those involving company vehicles. The at-fault party may have powerful company representation, and these representatives will employ strategies to saddle you with blame. Our team will work to protect you from unfair accusations and subsequent reductions in compensation.
If You Are Hit by a Company Vehicle, Evidence Plays a Major Role in Your Settlement
You collect a settlement by filing a claim against the at-fault party or parties and proving their negligence caused your accident. Proving negligence requires extensive, convincing evidence. A skilled motor-vehicle accident lawyer will examine all avenues of information to build your case.
For example, some company vehicles are commercial trucks. Your lawyer will work to expose violations of federal trucking regulations committed by the truck driver, company, or mechanic. Your lawyer may seek input from accident reconstructionists, experts who can recreate the accident to find out exactly what happened.
Witnesses, traffic camera footage, physical evidence from the scene of the crash and the vehicles themselves, and police reports are other sources of strong evidence. Input from your doctors, other medical experts, and your loved ones can also provide evidentiary support for your settlement demand.
Other Factors Determining Settlement Amounts
If you are hit by a company vehicle, your case will probably have added layers of complications that could affect the settlement amount. Your attorney can help peel back these layers and, in finding the cause of the accident, reveal who is liable for a truck accident. If the driver is an actual company employee and commits an error or violation, the company may be culpable.
Other times, the driver’s insurance may be on the hook for payment in addition to or instead of the company’s. For example, if the driver was operating the vehicle while intoxicated, the company may try to deny its culpability. If your attorney can expose the company’s awareness of the driver’s risky history, the company may remain culpable.
Some companies hire drivers as independent contractors. The Amazon business model includes a large fleet of delivery service partners (DSPs). Though drivers operate trucks and wear uniforms with Amazon logos, they are not actual Amazon employees. In these cases, their insurance policies, which are likely far less robust than Amazon’s, may be responsible for paying your settlement.
How Much You Can Expect from a Settlement if You Are Hit by a Company Vehicle
If you are hit by a company vehicle, settlement amounts vary, but you can expect your motor vehicle accident lawyer in Arlington to seek economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages represent the financial implications of the accident and provide recovery of your:
- Medical expenses
- Property needed replacement or repair
- Lost income during recovery time
- Ongoing care, if needed, and future lost earnings if you cannot go back to work
- Any additional financial costs related to the accident
Non-economic damages are a monetary acknowledgment of the emotional trauma and physical pain you have sustained, and account for your reduced enjoyment of life. Your attorney will evaluate your losses in detail and fight for the highest settlement possible.
How the Statute of Limitations Can Affect Your Settlement
Texas allows victims to file injury claims within a two-year deadline imposed by Chapter 16 of the Texas Civil Code. Filing, or failing to file, within this deadline has implications for your case and settlement. If you do not file on time, you may lose the opportunity to get a settlement. Some cases allow for extensions, so do not assume you are without hope for justice without speaking to an attorney.
Filing within the deadline preserves your right to fight for compensation in court. Many cases resolve through settlement negotiations, which do not require a trial. Still, filing your claim sends the opposing side an important message. It lets them know you are prepared to take them to court if they do not negotiate fairly or agree to a just settlement amount.
We Fight for the Settlement You Deserve
Though there is no average settlement if you are hit by a company vehicle, you can count on The Texas Law Dog to fight for every dollar you deserve.
We are committed to securing you the highest amount possible. Reach out for your free case consultation today. We are ready to bite negligent parties back and work toward justice.
