Any automobile accident can be scary, but experiencing an accident involving a commercial truck can be devastating. If you or a loved one has experienced a collision with a large truck, the damages can be colossal, so understanding the average truck accident settlement in California can help you prepare for what to expect as you head down the road of your personal injury claim.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in California

Truck accidents occur on California roads all too often, and the frustrating reality is that, in many cases, they are completely avoidable. In most truck accident cases, there is some degree of negligence involved that ultimately results in some sort of collision. Arming yourself with the proper awareness of how many of these accidents occur may potentially help you avoid a catastrophic collision as you traverse throughout the Golden State.

Average Truck Accident Settlement in California

Here are some of the common causes of truck accidents in California:

  • Distracted Driving: Anything from adjusting the GPS or radio in the truck, texting while driving, eating, or being distracted by other vehicles or external objects, distracted driving has become the leading cause of truck accidents in California and throughout the country, particularly with the increase of cellphone usage while driving in recent years.
  • Speeding: Driving over the speed limit has always been one of the most common causes of auto accidents across the country, and California is no different. The faster you drive, the less reaction time you have, and the more potential damage can be caused as a result, especially in the case of commercial trucks.
  • Driving Drowsy: Truck drivers commonly drive while drowsy due to not getting enough sleep or driving for too many consecutive hours without adequate breaks. This poses obvious risks and can sometimes result in the driver falling asleep behind the wheel entirely, thus losing all control of the vehicle.
  • Driving Under the Influence: Operating a vehicle while intoxicated or under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol can severely impair your ability to drive. Driving impaired significantly impacts your reaction time and ability to make sound, timely judgments while driving and is one of the leading causes of truck accidents.
  • Careless Driving: General reckless, aggressive, or careless driving behavior can reveal itself in many forms. Speeding, ignoring traffic signs and signals, and disregarding the laws of the road are all forms of careless or reckless driving.

It is paramount to your own safety and the safety of those in the vehicles around you to stay alert at all times while behind the wheel. Maintaining your undivided attention to the road, exercising caution, and obeying the driving laws at all times can help you avoid any potential accidents while driving.

How Much Is an Average Truck Accident Settlement in California?

As with any auto accident or personal injury case, the exact amount of a truck accident settlement in California is going to vary greatly depending on a number of elements. For more mild accidents, plaintiffs may receive just a couple thousand dollars in compensation for the damages sustained, whereas more severe collisions can result in multimillion-dollar settlements.

Taking the whole spectrum of truck accident cases into account, the average truck accident settlement in California is typically between $70,000 – $75,000. This is based on a more moderate accident in terms of its severity. That range does not include any non-economic damages or pain & suffering.

Regardless of the overall severity, it is highly recommended that you consult with a reputable personal injury lawyer with direct experience handling truck accident cases to ensure that you receive fair compensation for the full extent of your damages.

FAQs

Q: How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements in California?

A: Most truck accident settlements in California total anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 in compensation. This, of course, can vary greatly depending on many different factors. Some truck accident cases can be settled for less than $10,000 in total damages, while other more severe cases can reach multiple millions of dollars in overall damages.

Q: How Much Is the Average Truck Accident Settlement in California?

A:  In California, the average truck accident settlement is about $70,000 – $75,000 for a typical case of a moderate level of severity. As with any type of personal injury case, there are many different variables that ultimately factor into determining a fair and agreeable settlement amount for a truck accident case.

Q: What Is the Longest a Truck Accident Settlement Can Take?

A: Similar to calculating the total cost of a truck accident settlement, the length of time that it takes to reach an agreeable settlement can vary based on a litany of factors. Depending on the overall circumstance unique to each accident, some cases can be settled outside of course in just a few months, while some truck accident cases can take several years to finally reach an official agreement.

Q: How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Claim in California?

A: In general, the most prominent factor when it comes to determining the length of time a car accident claim or any kind of personal injury case takes is whether or not the case ultimately goes to trial. A court trial can take several months to multiple years, depending on the available elements, court scheduling, appeals, and other procedural requirements that come with a trial. For the most part, car accident claims in California take between 6 months to a year to settle.

Finding the Right Legal Representation for Your Truck Accident Case

At Easton & Easton, our family of experienced personal injury attorneys exclusively accepts cases representing the victims of personal injury and auto accident claims. Our firm has recovered more than $100,000,000 in compensation for our clients in the past five years alone and has been named the “Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County” by the LA Times Reader’s Choice Poll every year since 2018. Our track record speaks for itself.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and let’s get started reviewing the details of your unique claim.