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Average Semi Truck Accident Settlement: What to Expect in 2025
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you can expect an average settlement of $150,000, based on nationwide averages. However, depending on the details of the settlement, nationwide averages see claimants recover anywhere between $100,000 to over $500,000.
Ultimately, your semi truck accident settlement will depend on:
- The severity of your injuries
- The party at fault
- The state your accident occurred in
- Your insurance policy and coverage
- The skill of your truck accident lawyer
Not sure what to expect when entering a legal case for an 18-wheeler accident? Let’s take a closer look below.
Disclaimer: The settlement amounts mentioned in this blog are for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as a guarantee or prediction of what you may receive in your case. Every truck accident settlement is unique and depends on multiple factors, including the severity of injuries, the determination of fault, insurance coverage limits, and the specific damages sustained in the accident. The figures provided reflect national averages and past case results, but your final settlement amount may vary significantly. For personalized legal guidance, we encourage you to contact our experienced truck accident attorneys for a free consultation and estimate of your case's value.
What Is a Truck Accident Settlement?
In law, a settlement is the resolution between the two disputing parties about a legal case. What a settlement entails depends on the unique case at hand.
A truck accident settlement typically involves the liable party (usually the truck driver at fault or their employer) paying a sum to the injured party. The amount of money that ultimately gets paid out is agreed upon by the parties involved and their legal representatives.
Semi Truck Accident Settlement: By the Numbers
Not everyone will take home exactly $150,000 in their semi truck accident settlement, even though that’s the average amount awarded in Alabama. The specific amount of your settlement will vary based on the circumstances of your legal case.
However, the minimum and maximum settlement amounts you can expect include:
- National Average Settlement for 2024: The national average truck accident settlement typically falls between $100,000 - $150,000.
- National Maximum Settlement for 2024: If the truck accident proved fatal, loved ones may be able to recover up to $5 million in wrongful death damages.
- National Minimum Settlement for 2024: The absolute minimum amount of damages you may recover can be as low as $900.
Here at Wettermark Keith, we have helped numerous clients navigate commercial vehicle and truck accident settlements—all with unique circumstances. The following are truck accident settlements our law firm has won:
- Case 1 - $1,500,000.00
- Case 2 - $943,000.00
- Case 3 - $900,000.00
- Case 4 - $750,000.00
- Case 5 - $675,000.00
What to Expect from a Semi Truck Accident Settlement
As you begin to approach your truck accident case, the general rule of thumb is that a smaller accident with minimal injuries equates to a smaller settlement, while a horrific accident resulting in death, paralyzation, or other life-long injuries often results in a large settlement because of the high financial and emotional costs.
The size of your settlement will depend on factors such as:
- Permanent disability
- Chronic pain
- Long-term medical needs
- Emotional distress
- Lost earning capacity
- Lost wages
- Property damage
How Long Does It Take to Reach a Settlement?
Semi truck lawsuits typically reach settlement between six and 16 months from the date of the accident. However, this depends on the time it takes to collect evidence, the length of treatment for any injuries, if the other party’s insurance company negotiates in good faith, and the time it takes to negotiate down your medical bills.
The order of events in an 18-wheeler lawsuit are as follows:
- The injured party seeks and secures legal representation.
- The injured party files a claim with the responsible insurance companies.
- Both sides gather evidence.
- When medical treatment is complete, the attorneys negotiate a settlement.
- If and when an agreement is reached, funds are distributed to the injured party, attorneys, and any lien holders.
Will My Semi Truck Accident Case Go to Court?
Your case does not necessarily have to go to court, and in fact, most semi truck accident cases are settled outside of court through negotiations with the insurance company of the party at fault. You can likely reach a settlement without going to court, but if the two parties can’t agree on a fair settlement amount, then the case will need to be resolved in court.
Additionally, your case may be more likely to go to court if the truck accident resulted in complex, severe, or life-ending injuries or if multiple parties were involved in the accident.
Do I Have to Pay Taxes on a Semi Truck Accident Settlement?
In general, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) expects you to pay taxes on any money you receive, unless it falls under an exemption. There are many exemptions for personal injury settlements.
According to the IRS, taxable income does NOT include:
- Settlement money you receive from claims involving unspecified physical injuries
- Money you get through your health insurance for covered medical expenses
- Benefit payments received from your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance
However, taxable income may include money received for non-physical injuries (such as emotional distress). Taxes ultimately vary a great deal depending on the state you live in and the details of your settlement. It’s wise to seek advice from a tax professional when navigating taxes after an injury settlement.
4 Factors that Determine the Settlement Amount
Because of the larger size and weight of semi trucks, 18-wheeler accidents typically result in a higher settlement than car accidents. The three main factors that ultimately determine your truck accident settlement amount include fault, the severity of injuries, insurance coverage, and your lawyer.
1) Who Was at Fault?
Fault is one of the largest factors in determining truck accident settlements. “Liability” is the legal term for determining who was at fault for causing the accident and any subsequent injuries. The following parties can be found liable in a truck accident:
- The trucking company that owns the truck or employs/employed the driver
- A negligent mechanic
- A company responsible for incorrectly loading cargo
- A government entity that failed to maintain safe roads
- The manufacturer of defective truck components such as brakes or tires
The party found to be at fault is responsible for the payment related to the accident and its damages. If both parties are partially at fault for the accident, contributory negligence and comparative fault are typically the legal defenses that get raised. Determining how many parties were at fault can affect the final settlement amount.
If you were partly at fault for a truck accident, you should still reach out to a lawyer because you can still potentially receive a share of compensation.
2) Injuries & Damage
The severity of any injuries received greatly impacts the value of a semi truck accident claim. Generally speaking, as the severity of the injuries increases, so does the value of the final settlement.
If children or other family members were in the vehicle at the time of the accident, or if the truck accident resulted in the death of one or more parties, the settlement amount tends to increase substantially.
3) Insurance Policies
While uncommon, a trucking company may carry minimal insurance coverage. If the value of the settlement exceeds the value of the insurance policy limit, the injured party may not receive the total reward. However, this is rare because federal and state laws mandate certain levels of coverage for semi trucks.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires the following minimum amounts that owners and operators of large trucks must carry:
- 10,000 pounds or below carrying non-hazardous cargo: $300,000
- 10,000 pounds or greater carrying non-hazardous cargo: $750,000
- Private tankers carrying oil: $1,000,000
- Private carriers transporting hazardous cargo: $5,000,000
These dollar amounts help cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other injury-related expenses that can arise in a settlement.
4) The Skill of Your Truck Accident Lawyer
18-wheeler accident claims are typically complex because they involve going up against large trucking companies and corporate defendants. These defendants have extensive resources to evade liability.
That’s why it’s paramount to work with a truck accident attorney that has the experience, skills, resources, and tenacity to stand up against these big companies and fight for your case. Choosing an experienced personal injury lawyer will make a huge difference in both your recovery and your settlement amount.
Tips for Maximizing Your Settlement
Insurance companies will do everything in their power to minimize their liability and reduce your compensation. Make sure to secure a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to protect your claim and maximize your potential settlement.
Additionally, follow these tips after experiencing a semi truck accident to avoid jeopardizing your compensation:
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations and complete your medical treatment
- Take photos, get witness contact information, and gather any other evidence you can after the accident
- Tell your attorney everything you remember about the accident
- Keep copies of your medical bills and payment receipts
- Don’t speak with the insurance company without your attorney present
- Don’t talk about your accident or injuries on social media
- Don’t sign any documents from the insurance company without your attorney
Helping Clients Get the Best Results From Their Truck Accident Settlement
Semi truck accidents can be terribly inconvenient at best and utterly devastating at worst. When you’re going through a stressful and unsteady time, you deserve to work with an attorney that will pull out all the stops to get you the settlement you deserve.
That’s why so many people in Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida turn to the skilled team at Wettermark Keith. With more than 50 years of legal experience combined and over 50,000 cases won, our dedicated attorneys will work with you to ensure the best possible outcome.
All legal consultations at Wettermark Keith are free. You won’t pay anything until we’ve won your case. It’s important to act fast, so schedule your free truck accident consultation today.
Ready to work together? Contact us today for a free consultation.
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