Average Truck Accident Settlement in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, the average truck accident settlement can range into the millions, depending on the circumstances. People who suffer serious injuries deserve compensation to make them whole after the incident. Determining an average settlement amount is difficult, and no set range exists. However, several factors can help provide an estimate of the damages a truck accident victim may expect. An experienced and knowledgeable attorney from Cordisco & Saile can analyze your case and properly evaluate your case.
In 2021, 4,714 people died in truck accidents, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. That was a 17 percent increase over the previous year. Although truck accident settlement figures vary widely, settlements have been as high as $101 million.
Why Trust Our Lawyers at Cordisco & Saile?
At Cordisco & Saile LLC, we have over 30 years of experience as Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers. Our team fights for clients going through some of the most challenging periods of their lives. At Cordisco & Saile LLC, clients are family. Our award-winning firm provides dedicated and compassionate representation, protecting those injured in an accident from the tricks and tactics of the insurance companies
Reputation for Business Ethics
Our firm dedicates itself to excellence in legal services and ethical business practices. Evidence of our positive reputation includes:
- 5-star Google user reviews
- A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
- Nationally recognized, including in Top 25 Brain Injury National Trial Lawyers
We will always treat you with respect, honesty, and transparency throughout your legal case.
Client Testimonials
The best recommendations we can offer for our legal services come from our previous clients. Client testimonials highlight our firm’s dedication, compassion, and one-on-one care throughout the legal process:
“I was informed every step of the way of the ongoing progress and game plan of the process.” – Nicolas, June 2022
“Mike and Maria were caring and made the whole process painless.” – Anthony, August 2022
“They helped to settle my case fast and they were there every step of the way. I would recommend them to anyone.” – Kara B., June 2022
Our personal injury lawyers help people navigate a complicated legal system while they recover from serious harm. We strive to provide exemplary service, personalized attention, and compassionate care to each client.
Case Results
Our case results also demonstrate that our firm’s dedication, experience, and skill can help injured people recover fair and just settlements.
Some of our top case results have come when people in truck accidents trust us to represent them:
- $10,000,000 for a first responder injured by a truck collision
- $2,900,000 for a motorcyclist who suffered a traumatic brain injury
- $1,075,000 for a pedestrian injured by a van
- $1,377,000 for a Bucks County car accident victim
- $865,000 for a Bucks County driver and passenger
Our truck accident lawyers can investigate the details of your case and take legal action in pursuit of fair and just compensation for what you have experienced. We know average truck accident settlements vary widely, but we are committed to advocating for a fair and just result in your case.
Why Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
The lawyers at Cordisco & Saile LLC have the investigation skills necessary to take on trucking and insurance companies. We also have extensive knowledge of the federal transport regulations that might play a role in finding fault in your case.
Because of the size and speed of trucks, accidents involving these vehicles can cause serious injury. Transport companies usually own their fleet of vehicles. These companies are responsible for the trucks they put on the road and are mandated to protect public safety.
Because they do not want to face protracted litigation, owners might offer to give you a small settlement even when justice would say you deserve much more. Hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer allows you to rely on the attorney’s experience to pursue justice in your case. Choosing to handle a claim on your own may result in a settlement for far less than what your case is worth.
A skilled and experienced attorney knows the tactics that trucking companies and their insurers use to minimize payouts and dodge responsibility for accidents. A truck accident lawyer can counter those tactics and force even the biggest corporations and insurers to negotiate in good faith.
Who Is Responsible for My Truck Accident?
An experienced lawyer will investigate who holds fault in your truck accident. It might be one or several parties, including the following:
- Truck driver
- Owner or operator of the trucking fleet
- Manufacturer of defective truck parts, such as brakes or turn signals
- Truck repair shop
- Government entity responsible for road maintenance
Several factors can help determine fault, including the following:
- Did the driver follow federal regulations about rest periods and safe driving?
- Did the driver follow the rules of the road, especially speed limits?
- Did the fleet owner properly train the driver on safe driving practices?
- Did the fleet owner follow due diligence to hire only properly licensed truck drivers with a satisfactory driving history?
- Did the fleet owner regularly inspect and maintain the vehicles?
- Did the crash result from a defective truck part?
If you are partly at fault for the accident, know that Pennsylvania is a comparative negligence state. You can still recover compensation if you are less than 51 percent at fault for the crash. However, if you are partly at fault for the accident, your compensation is generally reduced by the percentage you are at fault.
A good lawyer will uncover an accident’s cause and consequences. Cordisco & Saile LLC can help shed light on who might be responsible for the harm you experienced. We can also fight back against allegations of shared fault to ensure you get the maximum compensation you deserve.
What Impacts Truck Accident Settlement Amounts?
Legal settlements help compensate for losses resulting from the accident. The settlement amount depends on several important factors.
Type and Severity of Your Injury
If you experience a catastrophic injury from a truck accident, your life might change forever. Courts recognize this and might increase the settlement amount accordingly. Some examples of catastrophic injuries include the following:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Permanent nerve damage
- Paraplegia or tetraplegia
- Paralysis
- Limb loss
- Severe burns
These types of injuries can result in a loss of mobility, chronic pain, and permanent change in function.
Managing Partner
So people are injured in truck accidents typically the same as a car accident but worse. We're dealing with an 80,000 lb truck going down the road, colliding with usually a small passenger vehicle. Everything is amplified. The crash is stronger. The forces are stronger. There's broken bones. There's traumatic brain injury. There's damaged spines. Everything that you have in a car accident but worse.
Current Medical Expenses
Your medical costs can add up quickly as you seek treatment for your injuries. An experienced lawyer will ensure your costs get factored into the final settlement payout.
Cost of Future Medical Care
You might need ongoing medical care, treatment, and support after an accident, especially in the case of a catastrophic injury. These expenses might last months, years, or even a lifetime. A settlement can estimate and include the future cost of these anticipated expenses.
Lost Wages From Missed Work
It is common after a truck accident to miss work. A proper settlement will include these lost wages since they are a financial hardship for you and your family.
Loss of Earning Capacity
Sometimes, a truck accident injury can forever change someone’s capacity to make a living. Even if you can seek employment elsewhere after the accident, a settlement can include financial losses for the inability to maintain employment in your previous higher-paying job.
Pain and Suffering
Truck accident injuries can result in ongoing pain and emotional distress. You might experience changes to your mental health, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress. You might also have ongoing physical pain long after your primary injuries heal. Your settlement amount can also include compensation for these very challenging experiences.
How Long Will My Truck Accident Case Take To Settle?
The statute of limitations in Pennsylvania gives you two years from the date of your truck accident to file a personal injury claim. Although this sounds like a long time, speaking with an attorney as soon as possible because investigating an accident and preparing a claim can take time.
Many truck accident cases settle out of court. There’s no timeline for this process, but a lawsuit can take a year or more to reach a conclusion. Our firm stays on top of the case and refuses to allow the other side to employ unacceptable delay tactics.
Seeking legal help as quickly as possible will help expedite the filing process. Our lawyers work with you to determine a fair settlement and the best way to get those results, whether through a settlement or in court.
Contact Our Attorneys Today
The highly experienced truck accident lawyers at Cordisco & Saile LLC can advocate for fair compensation for your injuries. Our dedication to our clients keeps us committed to seeking justice in every instance. You can expect us to give you the care and compassion you deserve. The best news? You only pay us if we win your case. If you don’t recover compensation, we don’t get paid.
Talk to us about our services today. For a free case evaluation, fill out our online contact form or call us at 215-642-2335.
