There is no average settlement for 18-wheeler accidents. The exact value of your settlement will be based on the severity of your accident and the long-term implications of your injuries. Ideally, the value of your case will rise if you have suffered tremendously – compared to someone who only suffered minor cuts and bruises from their accident, for example.
Florida has laws that allow you to factor in multiple damages to your overall case value. After all, no two cases are alike. You want your settlement to address your specific ailments truly. This way, you can get the help you need to recover from your losses and move on with your life.
Evaluating Your Losses
You can add up the value of your case by looking at the separate losses you have suffered, including:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Diminished wages in the future due to injury
- Pain and suffering
- Scars, amputations, and other disfigurements
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Long-term disabilities
- And more
If you retain an Tampa truck accident lawyer, your attorney can appraise the value of your economic and non-economic damages. They can even put you in contact with psychologists and other medical professionals to help determine the value of your psychological suffering.
Seeking a Settlement before the Statute of Limitations Expires
After your case is filed, you are not held to a specific timeline for settling your case. In fact, it may be better to hold out until you reach a settlement that fully allows you to recover your various losses. However, you only have a limited amount of time to take that first step and file your case with the appropriate authorities.
According to Florida Statutes §95.11(3)(a), if your case is not filed within four years of your accident, your case may be rejected, and you may forfeit your right to damages. This could happen regardless of how expensive your damages are.
If you are concerned about the statute of limitations for your specific case, an 18-wheeler accident lawyer can help you understand your legal options moving forward. In some cases, the time limit on these cases will be less, or more, than the average.
Your Injuries can Add to the Value of Your Case
Collisions with 18-wheelers often result in neck, back, and face injuries. Due to the violent nature of these accidents, these injuries are still prominent in victims who were wearing seatbelts at the time of impact.
In many cases, victims hit their heads against windows, steering wheels, airbags, and various debris that is strewn around the car – which can lead to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Specific truck accident injuries may include:
- Whiplash
- Various forms of head trauma, including skull fractures and concussions
- Cuts
- Bruises
- Broken clavicles, noses, arms, legs, and other bones
- Torn ligaments in the lower back
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- And more
An 18-wheeler accident lawyer can help you understand the implications of your injuries. After all, the physical aspects of your injuries are only the beginning. These injuries can impact your relationships, your career, your long-term goals, and so much more.
We can help you add up the total value of your physical injuries and everything that has come with them. In some cases, we may seek examinations from economists, vocational rehabilitation specialists, and other expert witnesses to quantify your losses.
Florida 18-Wheeler Accident Statistics
The latest information from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) shows over 32,000 large Fort Lauderdale truck accidents in 2018. Out of these accidents, over 1,000 of them were serious enough to cause some type of injury, including:
- Thirty-nine fatalities
- Nearly 130 serious injuries
- Over 400 minor injuries
- Around 760 possible injuries
Your injuries may sometimes take days, or even weeks, to appear. That is why 18-wheeler accident attorneys advise you to seek immediate medical attention after your accident.
The examinations you receive can help you prevent further injury, giving you a better perspective on your timeline for recovery. Additionally, this documentation can help you prove your injuries and fight any attempts to disprove your injuries after you take legal action.
18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers Fighting for Victims in Florida
If you retain an attorney at our firm, we will take the time to examine all the different factors that might affect your case. With this information, you can move forward with a newfound perspective on your future.
Not to mention, our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers can work on every part of your case, from start to finish. That includes negotiating settlements, obtaining evidence, estimating case values, and much more.
You can contact a representative today for more information about filing an 18-wheeler accident claim with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine.
