Key Takeaways
- Missouri 18-wheeler accident settlements range from $20,000 to over $1 million, with catastrophic injury or wrongful death cases reaching $5 million or more.
- Injury severity is the primary factor — minor soft tissue injuries settle for $20,000-$75,000 while spinal cord or TBI cases can exceed $1 million.
- FMCSA regulation violations by the trucking company can significantly increase the value of your case.
- Missouri's pure comparative fault system means your percentage of blame reduces your compensation proportionally.
What is My 18-Wheeler Accident Worth?
In Missouri, 18-wheeler accident cases vary in their worth with settlements ranging from $20,000 to over $1 million. The amount you receive will depend primarily on the severity of your injuries as well as other factors. 18-wheeler accidents that result in catastrophic injuries or wrongful death tend to exceed $1 million and may be awarded up to $5 million or more.
Our experienced St. Louis trucking accident attorneys can evaluate your case and help you understand what to expect from truck accident settlements in missouri: what to expect.
Factors That Affect Your Settlement Value
Average truck accident settlement values in Missouri all depend on the specific factors of a case. Here is a look at what can increase or decrease the worth of your 18-wheeler accident case:
- Injury Severity: Minor injuries such as soft tissue injuries may see settlements that range between $20,000 and $75,000 while severe injuries such as spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injury, or anything that requires extensive surgery may reach $250,000 to over $1 million.
- Missouri Comparative Fault: Missouri uses a pure comparative fault system, meaning that if you are found to be partly at fault, you will be assigned a percentage of the blame that is used to reduce your compensation.
- Insurance Coverage: Commercial trucks carry high-liability policies that allow for higher settlements than car accidents, however, insurers will do everything they can to reduce the payout.
- Strength of Evidence: Violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations such as hours of service, training, drug testing, or maintenance can increase the worth of your truck accident case.
Understanding how long to settle a truck accident case in missouri can also help set expectations for the process ahead. Learn more about what is the average truck accident settlement in missouri.
Damages You Can Recover
You can recover medical expenses including your past and future hospital bills. Anything related to your medical care and needs will be among the main considerations. If you work, you can also recover the income lost during your recovery as well as for impacts to your future earning capacity if these injuries are permanent and disabling. Pain and suffering includes the reduced quality of life you've experienced from your pain and emotional distress while property damage covers your vehicle. There are many other damages you can seek, depending on the circumstances of your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Missouri’s pure comparative fault rule affect my truck accident settlement?
If you did something that contributed to the accident, you can still recover damages as long as you are not more than 99% at fault. The larger the percentage of fault you are assigned, the greater the chunk that will take out of your compensation. Insurance companies for trucking companies are adept at finding ways to blame Missouri accident victims to reduce payouts, and our attorneys at The Bruning Law Firm have the experience to level the playing field.
What damages can I recover in a Missouri 18-wheeler accident?
You can recover medical expenses including your past and future hospital bills. Anything related to your medical care and needs will be among the main considerations. If you work, you can also recover the income lost during your recovery as well as for impacts to your future earning capacity if these injuries are permanent and disabling. Pain and suffering includes the reduced quality of life you've experienced from your pain and emotional distress while property damage covers your vehicle.
Why are 18-wheeler accident settlements typically higher than car accidents?
If you're wondering why 18-wheeler accident cases are worth more than car accidents, the answer is simply because the greater size and weight of these trucks exerts greater force, leading to catastrophic injuries that require expensive, long-term medical care. Trucking companies carry much bigger policies to cover these kinds of severe damages and with clear evidence of negligence, our attorneys can help you get the full and fair settlement you deserve.
Contact The Bruning Law Firm
The Bruning Law Firm helps truck accident victims in Missouri understand their rights and options while fighting for their compensation. We charge no fee unless we win, so call our St. Louis 18-wheeler accident value attorneys today at (314) 735-8100 to schedule your free consultation to discuss your case.