The attorneys here at Doehrman Buba are often asked about the average settlement value of truck accidents in Indiana. Unfortunately, there is no simple or straightforward answer to this question. The size of a truck accident compensation check is determined by a wide range of different factors, such as:
Liability
Liability plays a huge role in determining the value of compensation payouts after truck accidents in Indiana. If the at-fault party acted negligently and bears 100 percent of the responsibility for the accident, the eventual compensation check is likely to be quite sizeable.
However, Indiana’s comparative negligence system means that if the injured party is partially to blame for the accident, that payout can be scaled down. An accident victim who was 40 percent responsible for the crash will only receive 60 percent of their potential compensation award.
Medical Expenses
Truck accidents can result in a wide range of serious injuries, including:
- Bone fractures
- Amputations
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
Such injuries are likely to need immediate attention in an emergency room. They may also require ongoing rehabilitation or physical therapy for months or years after the accident.
The cost of immediate and ongoing medical treatment is generally included in a settlement package. The more money the victim will need to spend on medical care, the higher the payout is likely to be.
Lost Wages and Loss of Future Earnings
Individuals who are injured in truck accidents often need to miss quite a lot of time at work to seek medical treatment and make a full recovery. In most cases, their employer will not pay them for those missed days. Fortunately, they can often secure payment for lost wages when they receive their settlement check.
If the individual’s injuries are particularly serious, they may never be able to work in their industry of choice again. As a result, their future earning capacity can be significantly diminished. When this occurs, the final payout value is usually increased to cover their loss of future earnings.
Noneconomic Damages
Truck accidents can cause victims a great deal of mental anguish. They are also likely to experience quite a bit of pain and suffering. Though these noneconomic damages are tough to quantify, they can play a huge role in the eventual size of a settlement check.
Generally speaking, individuals who are left with scars, lifelong disabilities, or chronic pain will receive quite a lot of compensation for their noneconomic damages.
What is the Best Way to Determine the Value of My Truck Accident Case?
Since payouts for truck accidents can vary so significantly from one instance to the next, the only way to get an accurate estimate of the value of your case is to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Your lawyer will review the cause of your accident, calculate the damages that you have incurred, and provide you with their assessment of the size of your eventual compensation check.
Doehrman Buba – Indiana’s Premier Personal Injury Law Firm
At Doehrman Buba, we have been helping the people of Indianapolis fight for the compensation they deserve for years. If you would like to have us fight for you, just give us a call or contact us online to set up a free consultation with a member of our team.