Average Truck Accident Settlement in Louisiana (2025)

Collisions with commercial trucks can involve multiple vehicles and cause debilitating injuries, even death. When you have been injured because another party acted carelessly on the road, you can file a claim for your financial losses. Many injured individuals want to know the average truck accident settlement in Louisiana, but this cannot tell you the value of your claim. Every accident results in unique injuries and losses, therefore resulting in unique settlements.

Numerous factors can impact the value of a settlement, including how seriously you were injured, who was at fault for the accident, whether you were partially to blame, the available insurance coverage, and what evidence supports your case. You can also recover compensation through a trial verdict. Settlements are more common, but verdicts can recover compensation if the at-fault party refuses to negotiate a fair settlement. Hiring a skilled truck accident lawyer an help you understand the complexities of your case, gather strong evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and get the maximum compensation you deserve.

The Damages You Suffered in the Accident

Settlements or verdicts are intended to make up for the losses you suffered in an accident. Because of this, the maximum compensation you can recover is based on the losses, including:

• Medical bills, including existing and anticipated expenses for surgeries, medication, mobility aids, and other medical care
• The cost of expected complications associated with your injuries
• Lost income during the time you were recovering and unable to work
• Lost earning capacity if your ability to be fully employed was permanently affected
• Property damage to a vehicle and other personal property
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of quality of life

When your injuries are more serious, these damages are typically much more costly, so a settlement or verdict must be higher to make up for the losses.

Which Party Was at Fault for the Collision

The party (or parties) to blame for the accident may influence the compensation you recover because you may be restricted by different insurance companies and coverage limits.

Most motor vehicle accidents are caused by the negligence of a driver. If the at-fault party is not the truck driver, then they likely have personal car insurance coverage. Personal policies do not have coverage limits as high as the commercial insurance carried by trucking companies. If the truck driver is at fault, claims are usually filed with the commercial coverage, as the company or the driver’s employer is vicariously liable.

Commercial coverage also comes into play if parties in the truck company are liable, or if other third-party companies are liable. If a trucking company imposed unrealistic deadlines on their drivers, causing fatigue from lack of rest or unsafe driving, then the company could be held liable. Filing with a commercial carrier can result in higher coverage limits but may also be harder to negotiate. Federal regulations play a significant role in truck accident lawsuits, as trucking companies and drivers must adhere to strict safety standards and guidelines set forth by agencies such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations cover aspects like driver hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and cargo securement, which can influence the determination of fault and liability in your case.

There may also be multiple parties who are liable. Your claim can be filed with each of these parties. If you are not able to cover all your damages with one party’s insurance, then the remainder of the losses could be secured in a claim against another at-fault party. When your injuries are more serious, these damages are typically much more costly, so a settlement or verdict must be higher to make up for the losses. In Louisiana, an 18-wheeler lawsuit can take longer to resolve due to the complexity of these cases. Trucking companies and their insurers often employ aggressive tactics to reduce their liability, which can lead to prolonged negotiations or even litigation.

Exemplary Damages

You may also be able to recover more damages than you sustained if you qualify for punitive damages. These are called exemplary damages in Louisiana. If the at-fault driver was acting with reckless disregard for your life and safety because they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you could recover these damages in a trial verdict.

Working with Experienced Legal Counsel

Your settlement is based on the value of your losses, but you cannot always recover this maximum amount. Insurance companies do not want to provide full settlements. You are more likely to obtain maximum compensation with a knowledgeable attorney. This is for numerous reasons, including:

• Attorneys have the resources to effectively investigate the cause of the truck accident
• Insurance companies are less likely to engage in underhanded tactics to minimize your claim when you are represented by an attorney
• Your attorney can accurately calculate your claim to determine a fair settlement
• Attorneys can take your claim to court if a fair settlement can’t be determined

FAQs

How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements in Louisiana?

Truck accident settlements in Louisiana are typically higher in value than other motor vehicle accident settlements. Settlements are reliant on the damages the injured individual suffered, the insurance coverage limits of the at-fault party, and other factors. Because of this, there is no way to determine how much a fair settlement is without examining your claim. The number of at-fault parties, your own percentage liability, and whether the case goes to trial will also affect the value of your claim.

How Is Pain and Suffering Calculated in Louisiana?

Pain and suffering in Louisiana can be calculated in different ways, but these non-economic damages are generally proportional to the value of your economic damages. Injuries with higher medical costs and more lost income are generally more serious injuries that affect your daily life significantly. Injuries with longer recovery periods tend to leave longer-lasting emotional and physiological effects and can disable someone, impacting them forever.

How Long Do Most Accident Settlements Take?

Negotiating an accident settlement takes time; however, a negotiation that takes a lot of time may secure more benefits for you. Truck accidents tend to take longer than other vehicle accident claims. This is because settlements must be higher to account for more serious damages.

Commercial insurers are also more aggressive and harder to secure fair compensation from. Attorneys are familiar with insurers’ tactics to undermine your requests and can be invaluable during negotiations.

What Is a Good Settlement Figure?

A good settlement figure is one that covers all your economic and non-economic losses from a truck accident. A skilled personal injury attorney can help you calculate the full amount of your losses, which include medical bills, physical pain, emotional trauma, and lost income. A settlement may be lower if you were found partially liable. It is rare that insurers will initially offer you a fair settlement for your injuries. An attorney can help you avoid accepting lowball settlements.

Contact Our Lawyers Team to Get Help with Truck Accident Cases

At Murphy Law Firm, we have decades of experience in complex personal injury claims and trucking accident claims. We can help you understand what you are owed in a truck accident settlement and protect your interests during the entire case. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.