The average settlement for a truck accident in Connecticut will differ based on your case’s details. Injury severity, insurance coverage, and liability determination can all affect your recovery amount. Hiring a Connecticut truck accident attorney from our team can help you assess the full value of your losses and avoid pitfalls that could jeopardize your claim value.
Your Injury Severity Factors Into a Truck Collision Settlement
One of the primary factors affecting the average settlement for a Connecticut truck accident is injury severity. Settlements are typically higher for catastrophic or disabling injuries than for minor injuries. Medical costs for emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, and physical therapy can be debilitating. Disabling injuries like limb loss, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cord damage may also require long-term healthcare and disability accommodation.
The effects of a catastrophic truck accident injury may keep you from working, creating even more financial hardship. In addition, the mental and emotional effects of such injury can cause significant challenges and compromise your quality of life. A truck accident attorney can review your accident details and help you gather evidence to recover the full scope of your damages.
Insurance Policies Can Limit Your Semi-Truck Accident Claim Value
Most personal injury settlements for truck crashes come from insurance claims. Coverage limits can compromise your settlement value, but there are often other ways to secure the compensation you need.
For example, you may file an insurance claim with the truck driver’s personal insurance and the trucking company’s insurance, which should give you access to compensation from both policies. If an insurance claim is denied because of policy limits, you may also file a lawsuit against the at-fault party and their insurer for all your damages. A truck collision lawyer can guide you through the process and negotiate with insurers to secure the best possible settlement.
Connecticut Liability Laws May Affect Your Truck Accident Settlement
Connecticut has modified comparative negligence laws that can affect your ability to recover compensation after a collision with a tractor-trailer. The injury victim must be able to establish that the other party was mostly or completely responsible for the accident.
Insurance companies will often try to avoid liability by claiming the victim was responsible for the crash. A truck accident lawyer in Connecticut will be familiar with state liability laws and the tactics insurers use to avoid accountability. Speak with an attorney to learn how liability laws could influence your truck accident settlement.
Mistakes and Oversights That Could Affect Your Settlement Value
Following a trucking accident, you might feel overwhelmed and confused. It is easy to make simple mistakes that can have serious repercussions for your settlement value later on. Here are common mistakes that could compromise your claim:
Not Seeking Prompt Medical Treatment
After a truck accident, medical treatment is crucial. You may have received emergency medical care, but it is equally important to follow up with your primary care provider and complete all treatment as prescribed.
Medical records are a major piece of evidence in your damage claim. They help substantiate your claim for medical expenses, as well as supporting your case for pain and suffering. Insurance companies may use the lack of medical evidence as an excuse to reduce your claim value.
Not Following Your Doctor’s Instructions
If your doctor tells you to avoid certain activities, follow their orders. Use any assistive equipment prescribed and be sure to attend all follow-up visits and physical therapy appointments. Remember that the insurance company will use any excuse to reduce your claim. If you don’t follow your doctor’s instructions, the insurer may say your injuries may not be as bad as you claim.
Admitting Fault or Downplaying Your Injury Severity
When you speak with an insurance company after a truck crash, they may ask leading questions to manipulate you into making admissions that are not true. For instance, they may imply that you were at fault for the accident or ask you to describe your injuries. Avoid saying you feel fine or making statements about fault. Simply stick to the facts and consider consulting with a truck accident attorney before giving a formal statement.
Not Keeping Your Case Information Confidential
Insurers will use any available information to reduce or deny your claim. This may include social media posts, even if you have them set to private. Avoid posting any information about your accident or legal claim online.
Ask your attorney before discussing any details of your case, even with friends or family members. A truck collision lawyer can help you understand which details are safe to talk about and which should remain confidential.
Not Consulting With a Truck Accident Attorney
A major mistake many truck crash victims make is not hiring a Connecticut personal injury lawyer from Trantolo & Trantolo right away. Although you may not think you can afford a lawyer, most truck accident attorneys handle cases on a contingency fee basis. That means they take payment for their services from your final settlement, rather than expecting a retainer or hourly fees up front.
A lawyer will be familiar with the tactics insurance carriers use to reduce truck accident settlements in Connecticut. They can help you gather evidence, manage communications, and offer advice to help you avoid common pitfalls that could compromise your case. An attorney can also ensure your case is filed within the statute of limitations so you don’t miss the chance to recover compensation for your injuries.
Hire a Connecticut Truck Accident Lawyer to Improve Your Settlement Value
Working with our Connecticut personal injury law firm can help give you a fighting chance for a fair settlement against truckers and their employers. A truck accident lawyer from our team will know how to gather evidence, build a compelling case, and negotiate with insurance companies for a higher settlement.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a collision with a tractor-trailer, contact the Connecticut truck accident attorneys at Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC today to discuss your case during a free consultation. Our legal team has spent more than 85 years defending injury victims in Connecticut. We have recovered millions of dollars in settlements for truck accident victims, and we are prepared to help you seek the compensation you deserve.
