No. While it can certainly be tempting to accept a quick settlement following an 18-wheeler accident, you should beware of settlement offers made before you’ve had the opportunity to consult an experienced attorney and fully understand the extent of your injuries. Securing skilled legal counsel and waiting to resolve your Texas commercial truck accident claim until your injuries have stabilized and reached maximum medical improvement is crucial to maximizing its value.
Here’s what you should know about these complex civil cases and how having an 18-wheeler crash lawyer who “gets it”—and will fight for you—is key to achieving the best possible outcome.
Texas Attorney Hunt Bonneau Offers Adept Representation for Dallas-Fort Worth 18-Wheeler Accidents
The Bonneau Firm is never afraid to stand up to trucking companies and big insurers to fight for the recovery you deserve. After sustaining concussions playing college football, injury lawyer Hunt Bonneau knows what it’s like when the unexpected threatens to alter your life’s trajectory.
Inspired by his deeply held faith, he’s made it his mission and ministry to help severely injured clients in Dallas-Fort Worth recover fair compensation for damages suffered due to others’ negligence.
We solely focus on cases involving 18-wheeler crashes, concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and other catastrophic injuries—and have established a reputation for results at the negotiating table and in the courtroom.
Commercial Truck Crashes Can Have Catastrophic Consequences
18-wheeler accidents aren’t typical fender benders. These horrific crashes often have significant consequences for victims, such as devastating traumatic brain injuries requiring costly ongoing medical care.
However, not all truck accident injuries, or how they could affect your life, are immediately apparent—which is why it’s not uncommon for a trucking company’s insurer to make the injured party a quick settlement offer after a commercial truck crash.
This initial offer might even seem reasonable at first glance, especially if it covers immediate medical expenses and property damage, but don’t fall for this tricky insurance company tactic. Resolving your case quickly is in the insurer’s best interest. If you accept a settlement before understanding the full scope of your injuries, you could recover less than you deserve.
What You Risk When You Accept an Early Settlement Offer Without Legal Guidance
Accepting an early settlement offer without seeking legal advice and before your injuries have reached maximum medical improvement can be a costly mistake. Here are a few examples of concerns a quick settlement in an 18-wheeler accident case might not adequately address.
Long-Term Medical Costs
Severe and life-altering injuries can require ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, and home or vehicle modifications. An early settlement may not account for these future medical expenses, forcing you to cover them out of pocket.
Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity
If your injuries prevent you from working or impact your ability to earn a living, you could be entitled to compensation for lost income. Quick settlements may not sufficiently address these financial losses.
Pain and Suffering
Physical injuries and financial losses aren’t the only hardships you might endure after a commercial truck crash. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and a diminished quality of life are all factors that should be considered in the value of your claim. Early settlements may overlook these important aspects.