Semi-Truck Accident Settlement Calculator
Estimate the potential value of your commercial vehicle claim.
Estimated Settlement Breakdown
*Disclaimer: This is an estimate based on provided figures. Actual results depend on insurance limits, evidence, and legal representation.
How Semi-Truck Accident Settlements Are Calculated
Calculating a settlement for a semi-truck accident is significantly more complex than a standard passenger vehicle collision. Due to the weight and size of commercial trucks, the resulting injuries are often catastrophic, and the insurance policies involved are much larger—frequently reaching $1 million or more.
1. Economic Damages
Economic damages are the tangible financial losses you incur. This includes your hospital bills, emergency room visits, physical therapy, and any necessary medical equipment. It also covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and the income you lost while unable to work.
2. Non-Economic Damages (The Multiplier)
Non-economic damages cover intangible losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Lawyers typically use a "multiplier" method. They take the total economic damages and multiply them by a number between 1.5 and 5, depending on the severity and permanence of your injuries.
3. The Role of Comparative Fault
Most states follow some form of comparative negligence. If you are found partially responsible for the accident, your final settlement amount will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your total damages are $100,000 but you are 20% at fault, your maximum recovery would be $80,000.
Critical Factors Impacting Your Claim
- FMCSA Regulations: Trucking companies must follow strict federal safety rules. Violations of logbook hours or maintenance records can significantly increase the value of your claim.
- Insurance Limits: Commercial trucks carry high-limit policies. Knowing whether the driver is an independent contractor or an employee of a large fleet changes the available recovery pool.
- Black Box Data: Modern trucks have Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) that record speed, braking, and steering maneuvers just before a crash.