04/15/2009

Mike H. Bassett
The Bassett Firm
www.thebassettfirm.com

Any trucking company that has been involved in personal injury litigation understands that lawsuits are no laughing matter. Not only is litigation usually expensive and time consuming, but it is often unpredictable. What dollar amount will the jury ultimately award the Plaintiff? How much, if anything, should my company offer the Plaintiff to broker a settlement? Worries like these illustrate some of the frustrations associated with defending trucking companies against personal injury lawsuits.

Not surprisingly, knowing what to expect is one of the keys to a successful defense. For example, knowing how juries have responded to other trucking companies faced with similar allegations can help your company arrive at a reasonable settlement offer, thereby avoiding a prolonged and expensive trial.

The Bassett Firm recently compiled a list of motor-vehicle cases involving 18-wheelers. Although this information does not offer a comprehensive look at the facts and allegations of each specific case, it does give you an idea as to the average settlement or award values have been in recent years.