Semi-Truck Accident Settlement Calculators: Are They Accurate?

Being involved and injured in a semi-truck accident can be overwhelming. You have injuries from which to heal, medical bills to pay, and a lot of uncertainty about the future. One of the questions most people ask after a Nashville truck accident is, “How much will my settlement be?” It is natural to want to know, especially with mounting medical bills and lost wages. One resource you might come across when looking for an answer to this question is a settlement calculator. The tools claim that they can estimate your settlement amount in just a few clicks. But are they accurate? Consider these factors, which can impact the accuracy of a truck accident settlement calculator.

How do semi-truck accident settlement calculators work?

To use a semi-truck accident settlement calculator, you visit a website, type in some details about your accident – things like your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering – and the tool offers an estimated settlement amount. It might sound like a quick and easy way to figure out what your case is worth, but there is a lot more going on behind the scenes in a real truck accident case.

These calculators typically ask for a few pieces of information:

• What are your current and anticipated future medical bills?
• How much time have you missed from work, and what is the value of that lost income?
• What is the cost of replacing or repairing your vehicle?
• How much have you suffered physically and emotionally?

After you enter this information, the calculator uses formulas to estimate what your settlement might be. However, these estimates often do not account for the real complexities involved in a truck accident case.

What semi-truck accident settlement calculators miss

These calculators might seem helpful, but they often overlook factors that can make a huge difference in your case. Here is what those tools typically do not consider:

• One of the biggest factors in any Nashville truck accident case involves determining who is at fault. In commercial truck accidents, many parties may be liable – the truck driver, the trucking company, the manufacturer of faulty parts, the company responsible for loading the truck or another driver. Calculators cannot account for this. For example, imagine that the truck driver was speeding, and that the company that loaded the truck did so in a way that made it unstable. The resulting collision could lead to the driver, possibly the driver’s employer, and the loading company all sharing liability.
• Comparative fault. Tennessee law follows a modified comparative fault rule. Under this law, if you are partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover. However, courts can reduce your settlement. For example, if the court finds that you are 20% responsible for the accident, it will reduce your settlement by 20%. Online calculators may not consider the possibility you may share some responsibility in the accident. Without that information, you might end up with a very different number.
• Severity of your injuries. A calculator might ask for your medical bills, but it cannot understand the full extent of your injuries. Serious injuries, like damage to your spinal cord, can require ongoing medical care rehabilitation. Not only would the cost of treatment add up, but the injury can also affect your ability to work for the rest of your life. These long-term consequences are not something a calculator can accurately predict. In fact, it often takes experts to give a full picture of future costs in these scenarios. Without the support of experts, you might drastically undervalue your claim.
• Non-economic damages. Pain and suffering are part of most settlement calculators, but calculating these damages properly is tricky. Pain and suffering are not just about physical pain – they include emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and how the injury affects your day-to-day life. There are different ways courts might calculate these damages, which can result in different numbers.
• Legal strategy and negotiations. In an actual truck accident case, our lawyers’ negotiation skills and legal strategy play a huge role in determining your final settlement amount. A settlement calculator cannot predict the outcome of negotiations with insurers or opposing counsel. Remember, insurers want to pay out as little as possible. The Nashville truck accident attorneys at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm have experience in truck accident cases and know how to counter these arguments and fight for your right to a fair settlement.

Every truck accident case is unique

Commercial truck accidents are not like regular car accidents. More parties are involved, the injuries tend to be more severe, and the legalities are more complicated. Every case comes with its own set of facts, and there is no one-size-fits-all way to estimate a settlement. Trucking companies and their insurers often have powerful legal teams working to protect their interests, which makes the process even more challenging.

How to get a more accurate settlement estimate for your semi-truck accident

If semi-truck accident settlement calculators are not that reliable, how can you get a better idea of what your case is worth? The most effective way is to talk to an experienced truck accident attorney who can evaluate your unique situation.

Your attorney will know what to look for when coming up with an estimation. From reviewing police reports, eyewitness statements, and video footage to gathering information from a truck’s black box, there is a lot of information that might help an experienced lawyer come up with a more accurate estimate.

Your attorney can also work with medical professionals to understand the full scope of your injuries, including any future medical treatments you might need. That information will offer greater insight into your future medical expenses.

With a full understanding of your case, we can fight for the compensation you need. If you have been involved in a semi-truck accident, do not rely on a calculator to determine your future — reach out to the experienced Nashville truck accident lawyers at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm. Contact us today for a consultation, and let us help you navigate the complexities of your case to ensure you get the justice and financial recovery you need to move forward. Fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation in Nashville, East Nashville, Hendersonville, Clarksville, or Murfreesboro.