While all kinds of accidents on the road are insufferable, truck accidents are quite catastrophic because of the sheer size and weight of a truck. It’s even more tragic if the truck is fully loaded and overspeeding–a fully-loaded truck weighs approximately 80,000 pounds.
So, if a big rig crashes into a car at full speed, the results are nothing but horrifying. Because not all truck accidents are avoidable, it’s important to be aware of the steps you should take when you’re involved in an accident.
When you’re involved in a truck accident you’re not responsible for, you’ll need to file a claim seeking full compensation from the responsible parties. The amount of compensation you get depends on the type and severity of the truck accident.
You need to find a qualified and experienced Virginia Beach truck injury lawyer, such as those at Coastal Virginia Law, to help you file your claim and push for the right settlement. Your attorney will advise you on the right steps to take to get the best outcome out of your truck accident claim.
What Is a Truck Accident Settlement?
A truck accident settlement is a legal payment or any other form of compensation agreed upon by parties involved in a truck accident. It involves the defendant (the liable party) agreeing to pay a specific sum of money to the plaintiff (the injured party) as compensation. The two parties and their representatives can either agree on the settlement amount or seek the court’s intervention.
What Determines the Value of a Truck Accident Settlement in Virginia Beach?
There’s no standardized rate of truck accident settlements in Virginia Beach because every settlement is based on the merits of the case. So, if you’ve decided to settle the case out of court, your attorneys will evaluate the evidence available to determine who is at fault and come up with an amenable settlement.
If you disagree on the amount of settlement, you can take your chances at trial, where the settlement will be determined by a jury. However, you shouldn’t opt for a court trial if you don’t have sufficient evidence to prove that the defendant was responsible for the truck accident.
Nevertheless, the average amount awarded in a truck accident settlement in Virginia Beach is about $42,900. Of course, a settlement amount can be higher or lower than this, depending on the type of truck accident you’re involved in, its severity, the injuries sustained, and the available evidence to prove who’s at fault.
The amount you get will also depend on the type of truck involved. For example, if a tractor-trailer is involved in an accident, the average settlement amount is about $47,800, while a heavy commercial truck accident settlement amount is around $35,400.
In the past, plaintiffs in Virginia Beach have received millions of dollars in truck accident damages–one of the largest truck accident verdict amounts reported in Virginia was $60 million. This was a jury verdict for a plaintiff who suffered brain damage in a gruesome truck accident.
In another case, a victim of a serious truck accident was awarded a $21 million annuity and $5.5 million current value settlement after sustaining a terrible brain injury. The accident involved a heavy commercial truck and a small car. During the settlement process, the truck driver argued that he passed out before hitting the car, but he later agreed to the multi-million dollar structured settlement.
These examples can give you a rough idea of how much you might be able to expect to get from your truck accident settlement–but you need to hire an experienced truck accident attorney to handle your claim. This is where Coastal Virginia Law comes in.
Wondering what the most common types of truck accident cases in Virginia Beach might be? Take a look at our latest article.
