While it is not unheard of for truck accident lawsuits to progress all the way to civil court to be concluded by a judge or jury’s verdict, the vast majority of claims like this end out of court with private settlement agreements. As any experienced truck accident lawyer could tell you, though, not all settlement offers are created equal, especially since the offer you accept is supposed to cover every loss you will ever experience because of the wreck you were involved in.
When it comes to achieving good results from Prairieville truck accident settlements, there is no substitute for the support of a skilled legal professional from Tomeny | Best, with years of experience handling cases like yours. With that said, it can also be helpful to know what to expect from this process going in, so here is a brief overview of how truck crash settlements are broadly valued and what you may need to do to get paid what you deserve.
Determining a Fair Value for a Truck Crash Settlement
Because truck crashes in Prairieville often cause such uniquely severe injuries, it is very important when agreeing to settle a claim over one to account not just for short-term losses that have already happened but also for long-term losses that can be expected to occur in the future because of the wreck. For example, in addition to the costs of medical care an injured person already received before filing suit, a comprehensive settlement should also include reimbursement for the costs of rehabilitative and maintenance care they can expect to need in the future, as well as expenses for things like wheelchairs, home modifications, and in-home assistance.
Other long-term damages that can be important to include in a truck accident settlement may include:
- Lost working and earning ability
- Physical pain and suffering
- Psychological trauma and distress
- A decline in overall quality of life
Guidance from a knowledgeable legal professional is vital to identifying and assigning a fair value to these kinds of losses during the settlement process.
Negotiating Effectively With Insurance Adjusters
Another thing legal counsel can provide crucial help with while settling a truck accident claim in Prairieville is saying the right things—and arguably even more importantly, not saying the wrong things—to insurance representatives and other parties involved in negotiations. Put bluntly, it is unwise for crash victims to assume that anyone other than themselves and their legal representative has their best interests at heart, and to act accordingly when negotiating for a fair settlement offer.
In practice, this means being truthful when responding to questions from insurance adjusters but not volunteering additional information or speculation, and also not saying anything that could be misconstrued as an admission of guilt. Even something as seemingly innocuous as “I’m sorry” could be taken as an apology for causing the wreck in question, which could, in turn, lead to an insurance company refusing to offer a fair amount for all the losses noted above.
Get Help From a Prairieville Attorney With Pursuing a Truck Accident Settlement
Knowing that you have grounds to demand compensation over truck crash injuries is one thing, but actually getting a fair offer of compensation can be another thing altogether. In fact, many people unfortunately learn the hard way that negotiating a favorable Prairieville truck accident settlement can be almost impossible to accomplish alone, even if it seems obvious who is at fault for your wreck.
Fortunately, help is available from capable and compassionate truck accident lawyers at Tomeny | Best. Call today for your free consultation.
