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Truck accidents can cause grave damage, leaving you wondering, “What is the average truck accident settlement in Missouri?” While there’s no simple answer, this blog breaks down the factors that affect settlement amounts to help you understand what to expect.
A truck accident settlement compensates victims for their losses after a commercial vehicle collision, such as a semi-truck or a delivery truck. The settlement amount can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the severity of injuries, property damage, and liability.
In Missouri, truck accident settlements can range from tens of thousands to millions. The amount depends on how severe the injuries are, how much money you’ve lost, and the insurance coverage available. Smaller claims bring lower payouts, but serious injuries or wrongful death cases can lead to much larger settlements.
Truck accident settlements hinge on several important factors:
The severity of your injuries dramatically impacts how much you might get in a settlement. Minor injuries usually mean a smaller payout, but if you’ve suffered something profound—like a spinal injury, brain trauma, or even an amputation—you’re looking at a much higher amount.
Settlements usually include medical bills, such as emergency care, surgeries, rehab, medications, and any future treatment you might need because of the accident.
If your injuries have taken away your ability to work, the settlement must include your lost income. If your injuries are permanent or affect your ability to earn money in the future, that needs to be part of the settlement.
Missouri law allows victims to seek compensation for non-economic damages, such as emotional distress, physical pain, and loss of enjoyment of life. These sorts of casualties can have a significant effect on how much you acquire in a settlement.
The cost of repairing or replacing a damaged vehicle or other personal property adds to the total settlement value.
Missouri follows a “pure comparative fault” system, meaning settlement amounts can be reduced if the victim shares some responsibility for the accident. For example, if a victim is found 20% at fault, their compensation may be reduced by that percentage.
The at-fault party’s insurance coverage plays a big role in your settlement. Since commercial trucking companies usually have larger policies, victims of painful accidents often see higher payouts.
Settlements for commercial truck accidents cover financial losses and how the accident has affected your life. They’re calculated by:
Semi-truck accidents often involve severe injuries or fatalities, resulting in higher settlements. According to national averages, settlements for semi-truck accidents can range from $500,000 to over $1 million in cases involving significant injuries or wrongful death. However, the final settlement amount depends on the unique details of each case.
Victims may sometimes need to file a lawsuit to recover fair compensation. Here are key elements to understand:
In Missouri, you have up to five years after the accident to file a lawsuit. If you miss that window, you lose your chance to recover anything.
Truck accident cases often involve multiple parties, such as the truck driver, trucking company, and insurers. An experienced attorney can help victims gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent their interests in court if necessary.
Most truck accident claims are settled through negotiation, but if the parties cannot agree on a fair amount, the case might have to go to trial.
Every truck accident is different, but here are a few examples of settlements to give you an idea of what’s possible:
These examples show how settlement amounts can vary depending on the seriousness of the crash and the attorney representing you.
Knowing what caused the truck accident can help figure out who’s responsible. Here are some of the most common reasons these crashes happen:
Victims of truck accidents should take the following steps to protect their rights and maximize their settlements:
Truck accident claims can get complicated fast. There’s usually more at play, like federal rules, multiple people involved, and more significant damages. That’s why having the right lawyer matters—they can help you figure out the next stages, protect your rights, and make sure you’re not left picking up the pieces alone.
Settlements for truck accidents in Missouri can be all over the place—smaller amounts for minor injuries and much larger payouts for grim ones. If you’ve been in a crash, Goldblatt + Singer is here to help. Call (314) 231-4100 or contact us online today to discuss your options with a St. Louis truck accident lawyer and get the support you need.