The Average Semi Truck Accident Settlement in Connecticut
Large commercial trucks have the potential to cause devastating accidents.
Because of this, state and federal safety regulations compel trucking companies to operate with a high level of safety. Unfortunately, many semi truck crashes still occur. According to data provided by the Connecticut Department of Transportation, approximately 2,000 commercial vehicles are in wrecks in Connecticut each year.
If you sustain injuries from a large truck accident, you may be able entitled to financial compensation.
Following a major truck accident, many victims have a common question: what is the average semi truck accident settlement in Connecticut?
Even though this question does not have a clear answer, our experienced Connecticut semi truck accident lawyers explain how insurance companies, and in some cases, courts, calculate semi truck accident settlements.
Three Key Factors that Affect the Average Truck Accident Settlement
1. The Damages Sustained By the Injured Victims
Under Connecticut law, truck accident victims are entitled to full compensation for their specific damages.
This is an important point: a settlement offer for a semi truck accident should include compensation for the full extent of the victim’s losses. In fact, there is no such thing as an average truck accident settlement. In effect, every semi-truck accident claim is unique.
Depending on the facts of the case, a plaintiff may receive financial compensation for:
- Vehicle repairs or vehicle replacement;
- Emergency room fees;
- Other medical bills;
- Rehabilitative treatment;
- Loss of income;
- Pain and suffering;
- Scarring or disfigurement;
- Permanent impairment or disability; and
- Loss of quality of life.
2. The Victim’s Ability to Establish Legal Liability
Connecticut is a fault-based insurance state.
In addition, the state operates under a comparative negligence legal standard (C.G.S.A. § 52-572(h). This has extremely important implications for semi-truck accident claims.
Injured victims can only recover compensation if they can prove that the truck driver, trucking company, or another related party was at fault for their wreck. Since Connecticut uses comparative fault rules, the courts will reduce a victim’s settlement by their level of culpability for the collision.
For example, a truck victim sustained $35,000 in damages. However, they were at fault for 20% of the accident, so their compensation reduces by a corresponding 20% ($7,000). For this reason, it is crucial that truck accident victims avoid any unfair finding of fault.
3. The Negotiation and Legal Claims Process
Finally, the big trucking companies and their insurers are generally not willing to hand out full and fair settlement offers without a fight. Unfortunately, these companies are more concerned with their own bottom line than anything else. To get full compensation, victims must be able to present a strong, well-documented legal case. Our West Hartford semi-truck accident lawyers have the skills and experience required to help our clients maximize their settlement offer.
Get Help From Our Connecticut Trucking Accident Lawyers
At StangerLaw LLC, our top-rated West Hartford truck accident lawyers are strong advocates for injured victims. We represent injured victims throughout the greater Hartford metropolitan area, including in Hartford County, Middlesex County, and New Haven County.
If you or a family member sustains injuries from a crash, please do not hesitate to contact our legal team today for a case evaluation.
