What Are the Average Truck Accident Settlement Amounts in Texas?

Commercial trucks dominate Texas highways, and when accidents happen, the stakes are enormous.

Truck accident settlements in Texas can range from tens of thousands of dollars to several million, varying widely based on injury severity, liability, and insurance coverage. With multiple parties involved and federal regulations at play, the difference between a lowball offer and fair compensation often comes down to details insurance companies hope you'll miss.

In this post, the experienced truck accident attorneys at Applewhite Law Firm explain what those numbers actually mean for victims facing medical bills, lost wages, and insurer pressure.

Real Numbers Behind Texas Truck Accident Payouts

According to the National Safety Council, Texas led the nation in truck accident fatalities in 2023. These dangerous crashes remain all too common on Texas highways, making it more important than ever for victims to know their rights and understand their potential compensation.

The financial impact of commercial truck accidents extends far beyond what many victims initially realize.

While the average truck accident settlement in Texas hovers around $150,000, actual awards can vary significantly based on the circumstances of each collision. Insurance companies know these cases can cost them millions, which is why they move so aggressively to minimize payouts from day one.

Here's what settlements can look like across different types of truck accidents in Texas:

• Rear-end collisions: $50,000–$250,000
• T-bone accidents at intersections: $150,000–$500,000
• 18-wheeler accidents on highways: $200,000–$750,000
• Underride accidents: $500,000–$2 million

It’s important to remember that every truck accident case comes with its own unique challenges and circumstances. The trucking company's insurer is working for them, not you. Having skilled legal representation levels the playing field in the fight to recover fair compensation.

What Do Truck Accident Settlements Include?

Your trust accident settlement encompasses far more than just the cost of fixing your vehicle. After investigating hundreds of semitruck accidents, we emphatically insist that comprehensive compensation should address both the victim’s immediate needs and the long-term consequences.

Here are some of the impacts and losses a successful claim can cover:

Medical Expenses and Treatment Costs

Your settlement should account for all emergency room visits, surgeries, physical therapy, medications, and medical equipment. Future medical expenses often dwarf initial treatment costs, particularly with severe injuries that require lifelong care.

Lost Wages and Earning Capacity

Missing work while recovering affects your finances immediately. But what about things like missed promotions or career changes forced by your injuries? The calculation for lost wages must extend beyond current losses to include diminished earning capacity over your entire working lifetime.

Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Distress

The psychological trauma from a commercial truck collision — which may include anxiety about driving, PTSD, and depression — also deserves recognition. Texas law allows for the recovery of damages for these very real forms of harm. Fair compensation must account for both visible and invisible wounds.

Vehicle and Property Damage

In addition to your vehicle, any personal items that were destroyed in the crash (laptops, phones, work equipment, etc.) should be accounted for in your claim. Nothing should get overlooked in the process of recovering what you’ve lost.

Factors That Affect Truck Accident Settlement Values

Not all Texas truck accidents carry equal weight in settlement negotiations. Several key elements can affect the settlements victims ultimately receive, including the following:

Injury Severity and Long-Term Impact

There will be a direct connection between the nature and severity of your injuries and your final settlement amount. Here’s a breakdown of how certain injuries may be valued:

• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries: $25,000–$750,000
• Broken bones requiring treatment: $50,000–$150,000
• Herniated discs requiring surgery: $30,000–$200,000
• Internal organ damage: $100,000–$500,000
• PTSD requiring ongoing therapy: $150,000–$350,000
• Burns requiring skin grafts: $250,000–$750,000
• Traumatic brain injuries: $500,000–$2 million
• Spinal cord injuries: $5000,000–$2 million
• Paralysis or amputation: $1 million–$3 million
• Wrongful death claims: $1 million–$5 million-plus

Extensive treatment needs and permanent disability tend to increase case values dramatically. Age matters, as well — a 30-year-old with permanent injuries facing decades of lost income will typically receive more than someone nearing retirement.

Pre-existing conditions can complicate matters, as the insurance companies may argue that your problems started before their client hit you.

Multiple Liable Parties

Commercial truck accidents often involve multiple liable parties, including the truck driver, the trucking company, maintenance contractors, and cargo loaders. Each additional defendant can potentially increase your settlement value. That becomes powerful leverage to maximize your recovery when one or more involved parties start denying responsibility.

Insurance Coverage and Policy Limits

Commercial truck insurance policies typically start at $750,000 but can reach $5 million or more. Determining the available coverage requires conducting targeted research — something insurers hope accident victims won't hire legal representation for.

Evidence Quality and Documentation

The strength of your evidence can make or break settlement negotiations. Clear dashcam footage showing the truck driver texting can be highly valuable, as can multiple credible witnesses who saw the driver run a red light.

Conversely, weak evidence and poor documentation give insurers room to dispute claims. Missing police reports, conflicting witness statements, or delayed medical treatment can all provide ammunition for lowball offers.

By the same token, photos taken immediately after the incident will carry more weight than those taken days later, and medical records linking the injuries directly to the accident will prevent insurers from claiming pre-existing conditions.

Choice of Legal Representation

Lastly, the attorney you choose can influence your settlement outcome.

Insurance companies maintain databases tracking which lawyers tend to go to trial and which tend to settle. They offer less to victims represented by attorneys known for accepting quick settlements.

Experienced truck accident attorneys who regularly take cases to court command higher settlement offers, as insurers know that making an inadequate offer can end up costing them more. The best thing you can do is work with an attorney who is familiar with Texas trucking routes, Austin-area judges, and the tendencies of regional juries.

How to Maximize Your Truck Accident Settlement

Making the right moves early on can help you make the most of your claim. Here's what works:

• Document the accident scene thoroughly: Accident reports, photos, videos, and witness contacts can all strengthen your position.
• Seek immediate medical treatment: Gaps in treatment may give insurers an excuse to downplay your injuries.
• Preserve all relevant evidence: Valuable evidence includes photos of vehicle damage, traffic signs, and skid marks; eyewitness testimony; and destroyed personal property.
• Avoid giving recorded statements: Insurance adjusters may try to twist your words and use them against you.
• Keep detailed expense records: Document every receipt, bill, missed paycheck, and mile driven to appointments.
• Stay off social media: A single "feeling better" post could jeopardize your truck accident claim.
• Hire experienced legal representation: The trucking company and its insurer will look to protect their interests. A dedicated attorney can protect yours.

Building a strong case takes time and commitment. A proven truck accident lawyer like Ashley Applewhite will know exactly what steps to take to pursue the comprehensive compensation you deserve.

Don't Let Them Take Any More from You

Big trucking companies have teams of lawyers they can employ to defend them after accidents occur. Shouldn't you have someone fighting just as hard for you?

Applewhite Law Firm is here to help you seek a fair settlement for your accident, not the paltry offers insurers tend to make. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.