After getting involved in a catastrophic truck accident, a victim may receive a substantial settlement. This is often because survivors of tractor-trailer wrecks face extremely serious injuries. From brain damage to spinal cord injuries, to various forms of paralysis and more, the injuries suffered can prove extensive. This is especially true when considering the long-term impact truck accidents can have on Delaware victims.
There is good news for national truck accident rate though. According to a report from the Department of Transportation, the number of individuals who lost their lives in truck accidents has gone down about 20 percent over the past 10 years. Unfortunately, though, that same number actually went up last year. Interestingly, over the past several years, there has also been a rise in the number of large verdicts awarded to truck accident victims.
These verdicts can range in the tens of millions of dollars. These figures have become more frequent, since 2011, according to a media report. There have even been several prominent verdicts, where victims have received $20 million or more.
Some in Delaware might remember the 2014 truck crash that injured comedian Tracy Morgan. That incident also claimed the life of another man. That victims’ family received $10 million in a settlement.
It is never possible to put a dollar amount on the life of a human being. But, truck accident lawsuits can address the steep financial cost of an accident or a wrongful death.
According to federal law, truck companies must cover their drivers for up to $750,000 per accident. Though, truck companies do not always obey the law.
Securing a truck accident law firms’ help in the face of an accident can be a beneficial step for a victim or their family. Whether a wreck was caused by negligent truck maintenance, an inattentive truck driver or a drunk driver, an experienced attorney can help.
Source: The National Law Review, “Large verdicts in truck accident cases on rise,” Dec. 1, 2016
