The amount of compensation you can receive after a truck accident varies a great deal. You may be able to receive more compensation if you were seriously injured, your car was totaled, you’re unable to work for a long period of time, and/or you need to change careers because of a permanent disability from the crash.
The team at Bye, Goff & Rohde would like to consider the value of a semi-truck accident lawsuit. We’ll review factors that alter the value of a case, and what people can do to potentially maximize the value of a claim following an 18-wheeler accident. Our firm will then discuss why it’s so important to have skilled lawyers on your side working on your case.
If you’ve been hurt in a semi-truck crash or got run off the road by a tractor-trailer, we want to hear about it. To request a free legal consultation with our trucking accident lawyers, call (715) 425-8161. Bye, Goff & Rohde is on your side.
Is There an Average Value for a Trucking Accident Claim?
No, there isn’t an average value for a truck accident lawsuit. Each case is unique and involves a focus on the specific cause of the collision, injuries sustained, and material losses that occurred.
We won’t be able to say how much your semi-truck accident case could be worth until we’ve had a chance to discuss what happened, review the evidence, and really assess the long-term impact the collision has had on your life.
Factors That Affect the Value of a Semi-Truck Accident Case
These are some of the most important factors that determine the value of an 18-wheeler accident claim.
The Severity of Your Injuries
If you suffered severe or debilitating injuries in a trucking accident, you can receive a substantial amount of compensation. This includes compensation for past medical bills, current healthcare needs, and ongoing or future care such as additional surgery, physical rehabilitation, and visits with specialists.
The Amount of Damage to Your Vehicle and Belongings
If your car was totaled in a big rig crash or you need major repairs, you can earn quite a bit in compensation. Similarly, compensation in a trucking accident case can cover the cost of any belongings and personal property damaged in a crash, such as cellphones, laptops, tablets, clothing, jewelry, and so forth.
Lost Wages and Future Income Due to Your Injuries
A big rig crash can cause catastrophic injuries. Compensation can cover lost income while you’re recuperating from injuries and unable to work. If the crash leaves you with a long-term or permanent disability, you can also be compensated for loss of future earnings and job retraining. Compensation can also cover home renovations and other accommodations for your physical limitations.
Lasting Effects on Quality of Life
A semi-truck collision can be devastating. Many accident survivors have to live with chronic pain, changes in mobility, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and emotional distress. Compensation can help address all of these matters associated with a change in overall quality of life.
Loss of a Loved One in a Fatal Semi-Truck Crash
If you lost a family member in a fatal collision with a large truck, you may be able to receive more compensation. Compensation from a fatal collision can help cover funeral expenses, loss of companionship, grief counseling, and loss of income and benefits from the deceased.
Partial Liability for the Tractor-Trialer Collision
If you were partly at fault for a trucking accident, it will reduce the value of your claim. Wisconsin follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This allows someone to seek damages as long as they were 50% or less at fault. A person’s percentage of liability reduces how much compensation they receive.
For example, say that a person receives $100,000 for their injuries and vehicle damage, but they are found to be 20% at fault for the crash. They would still receive $80,000.
What Can I Do to Maximize the Value of My Truck Accident Claim?
Here are a few things you can do to create documentation of the 18-wheeler wreck and a record of your injuries and losses. This can potentially increase the value of your trucking accident claim.
- Call the Authorities After the Collision: Be sure to call 911 after the semi-truck accident. When authorities arrive, be factual about what happened and cooperate in whatever way you can. This will lead to a police report being created about the incident, which can help with your legal claim.
- Document Everything at the Crash Site: If you are able to, take photos and video of the crash. This includes any injuries, damage to all vehicles involved, the surrounding area, and any damage to belongings within your vehicle.
- Exchange Info with Drivers and Witnesses: Get the insurance information and contact info of the trucker and other motorists at the accident site. Take down information from anyone who witnessed the collision as well.
- Do Not Admit Fault: When discussing what happened at the scene of the accident, do not apologize or admit fault. Any admission of responsibility could reduce how much your claim may be worth due to partial liability laws.
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: See a doctor as soon as possible, even if you seem fine. Certain injuries may not be apparent. Getting checked out will create a record of any injuries you sustained, and this can help with your claim.
- Report Your Accident to Your Insurance Company: Be sure to report the crash to your insurance provider as soon as possible. Again, just be factual, and avoid any opinion on who was at fault or if you were partially to blame.
- Avoid Posting About Your Accident on Social Media: Don’t post about any kind of car wreck or truck accident on social media. Insurance companies and other parties could use the language in your post or the imagery against you.
- Speak with a Trucking Accident Lawyer ASAP: When you’re ready, speak with a trucking accident attorney right away. The team here at Bye, Goff & Rohde can answer your questions and get your claim underway.
Read more in our article, “What to Do after a Truck Collision to Protect Your Legal Rights.”
Should I Accept an Initial Settlement Offer After a Large Truck Accident?
No. Before you accept an initial offer from the insurance company, it’s worth discussing your case with a skilled trucking accident lawyer at Bye, Goff & Rohde.
The insurance company may be lowballing your claim without you realizing it. We can assess the offer and let you know if we can negotiate a fairer and more accurate settlement.
Why You Need a Trucking Accident Lawyer
Don’t go it alone against trucking companies and insurance providers. You need a lawyer on your side who can level the playing field and make sure you’re not being taken advantage of.
- Find Out If You Have a Claim: A semi-truck crash does not automatically mean you have a legal claim. Our attorneys can review what happened and let you know if you actually have a case.
- Learn What Your Case Is Really Worth: Our lawyers can identify losses and changes in your life from the crash you may not have considered. This insight can help you receive more than you expected.
- Build a Strong Case Based on Facts: Your big rig accident attorney can gather evidence, look for CCTV footage, meet with expert witnesses and medical professionals, and mount a detailed investigation into the crash.
- Untangle Complex Liability and Insurance Issues: Multiple parties could be involved in a trucking accident case. Our lawyers will consider the roles that the truck driver, the trucking company, other motorists, and even local road authorities may have played in a crash.
- Peace of Mind During a Difficult Situation: You’ve already got enough on your mind while recovering from your injuries. Your attorney can focus on the case as it progresses and give you regular updates. In the meantime, you can focus on healing and how to move forward with strength and dignity.
Why Choose Bye, Goff & Rohde for Your Truck Accident Claim
The people of Wisconsin know that they can trust Bye, Goff & Rohde. We have a decades-long reputation for advocacy and strong counsel. If you need a fighter to take on trucking companies and call out a poor settlement, we’re here to take up the fight.
Serving Wisconsinites Since 1974
Bye, Goff & Rohde has represented accident survivors all over Wisconsin for over 50 years. We’ve been around for decades because we focus on our clients, their families, their lives, and their stories.
More Than 215 Years of Combined Legal Experience
When you hire our law firm, you’re not just hiring an attorney—you’re hiring an army. Our lawyers have more than 215 years of combined experience, and we will use that collective knowledge to build a strong case.
A Reputation for Great Legal Results
Our law firm has fought to secure maximum compensation for our clients. We encourage you to view our past verdicts and settlements to get a sense of what we can do for you after a negligent trucker or trucking company has caused you harm.
Clients Don’t Pay Unless We Win
Recovering from a serious trucking accident may involve expensive medical treatments and long-term rehabilitative care. To help people in need, we accept cases on a contingency fee basis. That means clients don’t pay us anything unless and until we can secure a settlement or win damages in court.
Learn How Much Your Case Is Worth by Contacting Our Truck Accident Attorneys
You have a limited amount of time to file a trucking accident claim, so do not delay. The team here at Bye, Goff & Rohde is ready to help you seek compensation for your injuries and other losses. For a free consultation with our skilled team of attorneys, call our Wisconsin law firm at (715) 425-8161 or contact us online today.