There is no average truck accident settlement, as each case is unique to each plaintiff that brings their case forward. However, if you are curious about how much your personal injury case might be worth, you can estimate this value by calculating your economic and non-economic damages.
A truck accident lawyer from our firm will calculate your damages for you if you decide to work with us. We can review your case for free in a consultation and discuss which types of damages are compensable under state law in South Carolina.
What Factors Should I Consider Before Accepting a Settlement for a Truck Accident?
Before accepting a settlement, consider these factors:
- What damages have you experienced since the truck accident occurred to the present day?
- Are your injuries ongoing or permanent? If so, how will that affect your life?
- Will this settlement cover your current and future damages?
- Should you keep negotiating for a higher settlement deal, or should you move forward with a lawsuit against the liable party?
- Are you within the statute of limitations to file a lawsuit if needed?
One of our lawyers will advise you accordingly and explain your legal options as you navigate this process. They can calculate your damages and show how those figures compare with any settlement offer you receive.
Do Economic Damages Include All Financial Losses Related to the Accident?
Economic damages tend to be the more obvious category to calculate since they already have financial value. These damages may include:
- Current medical care costs, such as costs for doctor’s appointments or emergency room treatment you received
- Future medical care costs, such as costs for upcoming surgeries or physical therapy
- Property damage costs, such as to repair or replace your vehicle
- Current and future income loss, depending on how long it might take to recover from your injuries (if at all)
- Reduced earning potential if your injuries affect your ability to make income in the long-term and force you into a lower-paying position or field
If your truck accident affects your finances in other ways, our attorneys can factor those losses when calculating your economic damages.
Evidence for Economic Damages
You may prove the value of your economic damages with:
- Receipts
- Medical invoices
- Bill statements
- Salary-related documents, such as tax returns, W-2s, or 1099s
- Banking statements
We will advise you on which documents to provide and then help you retrieve other information to support your claims. For example, they might consult economists or medical experts to verify certain damages through testimony.
What do Non-Economic Damages Include in Settlements?
Non-economic damages reflect the physical, emotional, and mental impact of your truck accident. While these damages do not have an immediate financial value, your lawyer will assign them value. Our team can explain this process to you during a consultation.
These damages may include:
- Pain and suffering, which can be interpreted as physical and emotional pain
- Losses related to living with a permanent disability or change in your appearance, including disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment in former hobbies and activities or life in general
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium if your injuries significantly changed your relationship with your partner
There may be other non-economic damages you might claim, such as emotional distress, so feel free to be as honest about your experience with your attorney as much as possible.
Evidence for Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are subjective, but there are ways to prove their value. Evidence might include:
- Photographs of your injuries
- Videos of how you navigate daily tasks to showcase difficulties or changes
- Journal entries about your experiences after the accident
- Psychological evaluation from a trained mental health professional
- Anecdotal evidence from witnesses who knew you before the accident occurred
South Carolina Law Limits Your Time to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
As mentioned, if you want to move forward with a personal injury lawsuit, you must do so within the timeframe dictated by South Carolina’s statute of limitations, S.C. Ann. § 15-3-530. In South Carolina, this deadline is generally three years from the date of your accident, though certain exceptions may apply.
If you fail to meet this deadline, your case might get dismissed, which would bar you from pursuing compensation through the court system.
Contact Our Office to Learn More About Settling Truck Accident Claims
If you or someone you love got into a truck accident and suffered significant injuries, you may qualify to file a personal injury lawsuit. Should you decide to work with a lawyer from Hammack Law Firm, they will represent you and advocate for a fair truck accident settlement for you.
You can learn more about settlements we’ve won for previous clients with similar cases during a free consultation with one of our team members. So call (864) 766-7108 today to get started.
With over 25 years of legal experience, Paul Hammack provides his clients with a level of trial expertise and strategic insight rarely found in personal injury litigation. Having spent the first eight years of his career working within major insurance defense firms across Georgia and South Carolina, Paul gained an intimate understanding of the “other side’s” playbook. This insurance industry background serves as a unique differentiator for his clients; he knows exactly how insurance carriers evaluate risk and what motivates them to pay top dollar for a claim.
In 2008, Paul founded Hammack Law Firm to move away from the “plaintiff mill” model and focus on building personal relationships with those he represents. As a seasoned litigator, he has tried dozens of first-chair cases to verdict, specializing in high-stakes litigation involving catastrophic injuries and complex truck accidents. His dual-state practice allows him to provide aggressive representation across both South Carolina and Georgia, ensuring victims of negligence receive the maximum financial compensation possible regardless of which side of the state line the accident occurred.
Paul’s commitment to excellence is reflected in his record of significant achievements, including a $10 million tractor-trailer wrongful death settlement and a $3.9 million moped-versus-truck recovery. His credentials and bar admissions in both South Carolina and Georgia underscore his deep roots in the regional legal community. Beyond the courtroom, Paul is a dedicated advocate for his local community, contributing his time and resources to organizations such as the United Way, Red Cross, and Hands On Greenville, all while working to make South Carolina a safer place for everyone.
