Average Truck Accident Settlement in California [2024 Updated]

Truck accidents can happen in many different ways, and it is common for these accidents to result in severe injuries to those involved. If you were harmed in such an incident, it is natural to wonder about the average truck accident settlement in California and how much compensation you could foreseeably obtain for your damages. An experienced attorney can help make a clearer sense of your situation and maximize your recovery.

Claiming Compensation for a Truck Accident

The state of California upholds the fault rule for resolving all motor vehicle accidents. This means that whoever is at fault for causing an accident is liable for the resulting damages, and an injured driver must prove fault before they will be able to recover compensation for the damages. This is easier in some cases than others, and anyone in this situation is likely to wonder how much their case is worth.

When it comes to the average truck accident settlement in the state, it is important to understand that an average is just a calculation based on case values across the state and is not indicative of what you should expect in your own case. Many variables go into calculating a case’s total potential value, and some truck accident claims settle for a few thousand dollars while others settle for millions.

Before you are able to obtain any compensation for your damages from a truck accident, you must be ready to prove exactly how the accident happened. This means identifying the driver responsible and proving exactly how they caused the accident, which could be a form of truck driver negligence or some type of intentional and illegal misconduct behind the wheel. An experienced attorney can help their client gather the evidence needed to establish liability for an accident.

Damages You Can Claim in a Truck Accident

Once you have established liability for your truck accident, you can proceed with claiming compensation from the at-fault party. Typically, a motor vehicle accident claim seeks compensation for economic and non-economic damages that a defendant caused a plaintiff to suffer. Economic damages are more straightforward and include all the direct financial losses the defendant sustained because of the accident.

Non-economic damages are more subjective and include intangible losses like physical pain, psychological suffering, and diminished enjoyment of life. State law does not limit the amount a plaintiff can seek in pain and suffering compensation, but it should reasonably reflect the overall severity of the harm they suffered. An attorney may base their calculation of their client’s non-economic damages on the overall severity of their injury and their recovery time.

When it comes to your individual case, remember that referring to any purported averages in estimating your case’s value is an inaccurate means of assessing the potential compensation you could recover if you win your case. The most effective way for any injured truck accident victim to determine the value of their case is to consult an experienced truck accident attorney as quickly as possible after their accident.

FAQs

Q: How Much Is My Truck Accident Claim Worth?

A: The worth of your truck accident claim depends upon your damages. Every civil claim for damages is different, and every injured plaintiff will face unique challenges when it comes to recovering their losses. An experienced truck accident attorney in Los Angeles, CA, can provide their client an estimate of their case’s total value based on the severity of their damages and whether they face any long-term or permanent effects from their injuries.

Q: What Happens if I Share Fault for My Truck Accident?

A: If the facts of your case show that you bear partial responsibility for your truck accident, it will negatively impact your final award under the state’s pure comparative fault rule. This rule dictates that a plaintiff’s fault percentage must be subtracted from their case award as a penalty. For example, if you are found 30% at fault, you will lose 30% of the total compensation won from the defendant.

Q: How Do You Calculate Pain and Suffering in a Truck Accident Case?

A: Your attorney may seek pain and suffering based on the severity of your injuries, whether you face any long-term or permanent complications from them, and how long it will likely take for you to fully recover. There is no cap on pain and suffering compensation in most vehicle accident claims in California, so it is possible for this to account for a large portion of your total recovery if you suffered any severe injuries.

Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Truck Accident Claim in Los Angeles?

A: The statute of limitations is the time limit you have for filing a civil claim for damages. For most vehicle accident claims in California, the statute of limitations is two years, starting on the date an injury occurred. If you do not file your claim within the statute of limitations, you lose the chance to recover compensation from the defendant, so it is vital to start gathering evidence to support your case immediately following the accident.

Q: What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Charge in Los Angeles?

A: Most personal injury attorneys accept clients on a contingency basis. With a contingency fee agreement, the client pays a fee to their attorney only if the attorney wins their case, and the contingency fee is a percentage of the total compensation recovered for them. If the attorney cannot obtain a recovery, there is no fee at all. Some attorneys charge by the hour, so it is vital to assess a prospective attorney’s billing policy before accepting their representation.

Contact The Attorneys At Heimanson & Wolf, LLP

The team at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, has extensive experience representing clients in truck accident claims. While you may wonder about the average truck accident settlement in the state, the reality is that your case is entirely unique, and you need focused legal counsel on your side to reach the optimal outcome for your recovery efforts. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation with our team to learn how we can assist you with your case.