Settlements In Florida Tractor-Trailer Accidents
Being involved in a crash with a tractor-trailer can lead to death or serious injury, either of which may change your life forever. If you lose a loved one, it may be possible to seek damages for wrongful death. If you experience the accident and are left injured, however, you may choose to either go to trial or seek a settlement with the defendant. The best path for you depends on the specifics of your situation, but the right attorney can help, regardless.
Serious Injuries Deserve Compensation
Tractor-trailer accidents are disproportionately dangerous, mostly because a tractor-trailer weighs significantly more than most private vehicles, even unloaded. With this weight, and a longer stopping distance required than most vehicles, tractor-trailers are more likely to cause significant injuries. Anything from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries may occur as a result of this type of accident, and if someone suffers this type of harm through another person’s negligence, they have the right to seek money damages in court.
If you decide to sue a negligent defendant, it can be both complex and exhausting, even with a knowledgeable attorney to help you. Lawsuits require discovery, which involves chasing down and providing documents and all the evidence you can find surrounding the crash, as well as dealing with both your attorney’s requirements and the attorneys hired by the defendant. While a settlement may not always be an option, it can be worth it to accept if there is an offer on the table.
How Much Can I Get?
It is unfortunately impossible to arrive at a dollar amount until the time comes, but there are several factors that may be considered in determining the value of a settlement. Some of them include:
- Medical bills and the extent of the injuries caused;
- The severity of the accident – the amount of property and vehicle damage sustained;
- Pain and suffering, which is intangible but still very real;
- Lost wages;
- The nature of the cargo carried by the tractor-trailer; and
- Several others that speak to the value of goods and services lost, among others.
One thing to keep in mind during all this is that Florida is a no-fault auto insurance state, which means that accident claims are handled first by each driver’s personal injury protection insurance. If you have been injured in a tractor-trailer crash, you may be forced to repay an insurer if you receive a settlement, since getting both payments would be an unethical windfall.
Contact A Tampa Tractor-Trailer Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in a tractor-trailer accident, it can feel like too much work to file suit against a negligent defendant. A Tampa tractor-trailer accident attorney from the Rinaldo Law Group can help advise you on your best course of action, whether settlement or trial. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation.
