Accidents involving 18-wheelers are often life-changing events, leaving victims with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and countless uncertainties about their future. “What is the average settlement for an 18-wheeler accident?” is a common question when making sense of the financial recovery process. While there’s no fixed amount, settlements typically range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the severity of the crash and the circumstances surrounding it. At Walton Telken Injury Attorneys, we’re dedicated to helping residents in Edwardsville, IL, secure the compensation they deserve after devastating truck accidents.
18-Wheeler Accident Average Settlement in Edwardsville, IL
In Edwardsville, IL, 18-wheeler accident settlements can vary widely because of each case’s unique circumstances. These cases often involve severe injuries, property damage, and multiple parties making arrangements higher than standard car accident cases. Settlements in truck accidents frequently start at $100,000 or more, but cases involving catastrophic injuries or wrongful death can exceed $1 million.
For example, major truck routes such as I-55 and Route 159 near Edwardsville see heavy 18-wheeler traffic, increasing the likelihood of severe collisions. Because large trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, crashes often result in devastating injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or permanent disabilities. As a result, settlements are designed to cover long-term medical care, lost income, and emotional suffering.
How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements?
Most truck accident settlements fall between $50,000 and $500,000, depending on the severity of injuries and the crash circumstances. Agreements may reach the lower end of this range for cases involving minor injuries and clear liability. However, serious injuries or cases where the trucking company acted negligently (e.g., failing to maintain their vehicles or employing unqualified drivers) can push them much higher.
Examples
- Minor Injuries: A driver in a low-speed collision with an 18-wheeler may receive around $50,000–$75,000 to cover medical expenses and vehicle repairs.
- Severe Injuries: A crash causing a traumatic brain injury or permanent disability could result in settlements of $500,000 to $1 million.
- Wrongful Death: Families of victims in fatal 18-wheeler accidents often recover $1 million or more to cover burial expenses, loss of income, and emotional suffering.
According to the National Safety Council, crashes involving large trucks accounted for 4,842 fatalities in the U.S. in 2020, and thousands of survivors required extensive medical treatment.
How Much Can Someone Sue for a Truck Accident in Edwardsville, IL?
In this city, the amount someone can sue after a truck accident depends on the damages involved. Illinois law allows victims to seek compensatory damages (economic and non-economic) and, in some cases, punitive damages.
Types of Damages
- Economic Damages: These include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and any future rehabilitation or care costs.
- Non-Economic Damages: These compensate for emotional suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain caused by the accident.
- Punitive Damages: These are awarded in rare cases where the trucking company’s conduct was particularly reckless, such as falsifying maintenance records or forcing drivers to exceed legal hours on the road.
Illinois has no cap on compensatory damages for personal injury cases, meaning plaintiffs can sue for amounts based on the full extent of their losses. Truck accident lawsuits often seek damages in the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, especially when lifelong injuries are involved.
How Truck Accident Settlement Amounts Are Determined in Illinois
Various factors influence settlement amounts for 18-wheeler accidents in Illinois. Understanding how these amounts are calculated can help you better prepare for the claims process.
Key Factors That Affect Settlements
- Severity of Injuries: Serious injuries requiring ongoing medical care will result in higher settlement amounts.
- Liability: If the trucking company is found negligent, such as overloading the truck or employing poorly trained drivers, the settlement will increase.
- Insurance Policy Limits: Commercial trucking companies often carry policies with limits in the millions, allowing for more significant agreements.
- Lost Wages and Future Earnings: If the victim is unable to return to work or suffers reduced earning capacity, these damages are factored into the resolution.
- Emotional Distress: Arrangements often account for the psychological impact of the accident, including PTSD or loss of enjoyment in life.
In many cases, the evidence gathered—such as driver logs, maintenance records, and black box data—is critical to proving negligence and maximizing compensation. Working with an experienced attorney ensures that all of these factors are thoroughly investigated and presented.
Contact Walton Telken Injury Attorneys for Help Today
Injured in an 18-wheeler accident in Edwardsville, IL? Let Walton Telken Injury Attorneys fight for the compensation you deserve. Call Walton Telken Injury Attorneys today at 844-307-7349 or visit us at 241 N Main St, Edwardsville, IL 62025, for a free consultation.
With over 150 years of combined legal experience, we passionately fight for victims’ rights and strive to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients. Troy E. Walton and Stephen J. Telken understand the immense challenges faced after an injury, and we’re committed to helping you recover the maximum monetary damages for your physical, financial, and emotional losses. Real practice is in our DNA, and we’re unafraid to aggressively advocate on your behalf to ensure you receive the compensation you
deserve.
