Hurt in a commercial truck accident? You are not alone. According to data from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, there were 6,562 commercial trucking crashes reported in the state in 2023. Truck accident victims need compensation to pay bills and support their family. You may be wondering: What is the average settlement for a truck accident claim? The short answer is that there is no true “average” settlement amount. Every case is fact-specific. A settlement of five, six, or even seven figures would be within the normal range. Within this blog post, our La Crosse truck accident lawyers provide an overview of key things to know about personal injury settlements in tractor trailer accident cases in Wisconsin
Few Truck Accident Injury Claims Go to Trial (Settlement More Likely)
If you were hurt in a truck accident in Wisconsin, you have a right to bring a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. In most cases, you will not be required to go to court. Indeed, it is more likely that your truck accident injury claim will settle out of court rather than go to trial. Settlement typically comes from the insurance company.
There is No True “Average” Truck Accident Settlement
While wanting to know the average truck accident settlement in La Crosse, Wisconsin is understandable, the reality is that there is no real answer. Indeed, calculating an “average” settlement for a truck accident claim would be misleading. It would not provide you with the information that you are looking for. The reason is that truck accident injury settlements—and all other types of personal injury settlements—are highly case-specific. Settlements can vary dramatically. You could reasonably expect a four, five, six, or even seven figure settlement. The amount will vary based on a wide array of situation-specific factors, including liability for the truck accident, the extent of your injuries/damages, and the insurance coverage. A top-tier La Crosse, WI truck accident lawyer can review your case and help you understand the true value.
Insurance Companies Want to Settle Truck Accident Claims for Less
A settlement is an agreement between the parties. Insurers agree to settle cases because they are required to act in good faith and because they are convinced that they face a liability risk in court. However, they do not want to pay out full and fair financial compensation to injured victims. Quite the contrary, the insurance companies that provide liability policies to large commercial trucks fight hard to pay less. They often propose settlements quickly to avoid larger compensations awarded by courts. Do not assume an initial settlement in a truck accident case is a full and final offer. Your La Crosse truck accident lawyer can help you negotiate for the maximum recovery.
What Should a Truck Accident Settlement Include?
In Wisconsin, truck accident victims have the right to seek compensation for the full extent of their damages, including for non-economic losses. It is imperative that you know the types of damages that you can recover through a claim. Your settlement may include compensation for:
- Property damage, including vehicle repairs;
- Ambulance services and emergency room care;
- Hospital bills and other medical expenses;
- Physical therapy and rehabilitative care;
- Loss of wages and loss of earning power;
- Pain and suffering & mental distress;
- Disability or disfigurement; and
- Wrongful death of a family member.
Note: In some very limited cases, truck accident victims in Wisconsin may be entitled to recover for punitive damages. Punitive compensation is awarded to the victim—but it is designed to punish gross negligence. It may be recoverable in a truck accident claim if the trucker or trucking company acted in an egregious manner.
How Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler Can Help With a Truck Accident Case in La Crosse
Very few semi-truck accident cases go to court. A settlement is a far more likely outcome. At the same time, you should not agree to settle with the insurance company until you are getting an offer that provides you with the full and fair financial compensation that you deserve. At Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC, we are a boutique law firm that fights for justice for injured victims. Our La Crosse truck accident lawyers have secured millions in settlements for injured victims.
Contact Our La Crosse, WI Truck Accident Attorney Today for a Free Case Review
At Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC, our La Crosse tractor trailer accident attorneys are compassionate, experienced advocates for justice. We are ready to fight for the maximum settlement. Give us a phone call at 608-784-4370 or contact us online to arrange your no cost, no strings attached case evaluation. With an office in La Crosse, we handle semi-truck accident claims in La Crosse County and throughout the region, including in Onalaska, Eau Claire, and Buffalo.