Truck accidents can have devastating consequences for victims, leading to catastrophic injuries, loss of income, and immense emotional trauma. Commercial truck accident victims often receive higher settlements than awarded in typical car crash cases due to the severe nature of their injuries.

For example, Fieger Law won $30 million in compensation for a semi-accident victim, much higher than the average bodily injury claim for car accidents, which was $20,235 in 2020 according to Insurance Information Institute data.

If you were hurt in a semi-collision, the experienced attorneys at Fieger Law can help you win a fair settlement for your damages. We understand the complex nature of truck accident cases and will help you receive the full amount you’re owed for your injuries.

Truck Crashes Lead to More Severe Damages

Truck crashes are more likely to cause severe damage due to their size and weight. In 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 4,965 deaths in large truck crashes, with 71% of those killed being drivers or passengers in smaller vehicles.

The severity of truck accidents is attributed to several factors.

  • Weight and Size. Commercial trucks weigh 20 to 30 times more than standard passenger vehicles, which increases the force of impact in a collision. This can result in catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, and internal organ damage. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, including surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
  • Center of Gravity. Semi-trucks have a higher center of gravity and longer stopping distance than passenger vehicles, which makes them more prone to rollover accidents or jackknife incidents. This can also result in multi-vehicle accidents (pileups), further increasing the severity of damages and injuries.

These elements impact potential settlements for crash victims. Medical treatment and rehabilitation costs are often much higher for severe injuries than for more minor car accidents. With a skilled attorney from Fieger Law, plaintiffs can seek compensation for current and future medical costs and lost wages or earnings due to their injuries.

Multiple Liable Parties

In truck accidents, there are often multiple entities responsible for your injuries. Multiple liabilities allow your attorney from Fieger Law to file a claim with several parties to receive maximum compensation on your behalf. Liability can fall on one or more of the following in a truck crash:

  • Driver: The truck driver may be liable if they were driving under the influence, distracted, or driving recklessly.
  • Trucking company: The trucking company that employs the driver may be responsible if they fail to provide adequate training or force drivers to work beyond legal limits, such as driving too many hours in a single day. They can also be held liable for failing to maintain the vehicle properly or loading the vehicle negligently if these factors contributed to the crash.
  • Parts manufacturer: The manufacturer of the truck or its parts may be liable if a defect in the truck or its components contributed to the accident.
  • Other drivers: Other cars or vehicles involved in the accident may be responsible if they were driving recklessly or negligently. For example, if a car swerves into a truck’s lane, causing the truck to crash, the car’s driver may be liable.
  • Entity responsible for maintaining the roadway: The entity responsible for maintaining the roadway may be liable if a poorly maintained road surface or poorly placed road signage contributed to the accident. This can include government entities responsible for maintaining public roads.

Complex liability in a truck accident allows you to seek maximum compensation from all those responsible for your injuries, not just one of them.

Trucking Companies Have Higher Insurance Policies

Trucking companies are required to carry higher insurance policies than passenger vehicles. This is because the potential damages in a truck accident are much greater due to the size and weight of commercial trucks.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires that trucking companies carry a minimum level of liability insurance depending on the type of cargo they transport and the weight of their trucks.

For example, a trucking company that transports non-hazardous cargo and has a truck weighing between 10,001 and 35,000 pounds must carry at least $750,000 in liability insurance. Trucks transporting hazardous materials must have at least $1 million in liability insurance. Trucks that transport 15 or more passengers must carry at least $5 million in liability insurance.

Having higher insurance policies available to compensate truck accident victims can impact the settlement. A higher insurance policy ensures that the victim can receive adequate compensation for their damages, making negotiating a higher settlement amount easier.

Additionally, if the insurance policy is large enough to cover the damages incurred in the accident, the insurance company may be more willing to negotiate a higher settlement amount to avoid a costly and time-consuming trial.

Get the Financial Compensation You Deserve

With the help of the experienced attorneys at Fieger Law, you can get the compensation you deserve after a devastating truck collision. Our attorneys have the knowledge, experience, and resources to navigate the legal system and pursue maximum compensation for your injuries and damages.

Discuss your claim in a free consultation with our attorneys. Contact us today to get started.