Average Truck Accident Settlement in Nashville, TN

Average truck accident settlement

Wondering What Your Case Might Be Worth After a Truck Accident in Nashville?

If you or someone you love has been injured in a collision with an 18-wheeler or commercial truck, one of the first questions you’re probably asking is: “What is the average truck accident settlement?”

At The Higgins Firm, our Nashville truck accident attorneys help injury victims understand their rights, fight for maximum compensation, and handle the legal process after devastating wrecks involving semi-trucks, box trucks, delivery vehicles, and more.

But let’s be clear up front: no two truck accident cases are alike. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, this blog will help you understand how settlements are calculated, what factors affect value, and what you can expect if you pursue a claim in Nashville, TN.

What is the Average Truck Accident Settlement in Tennessee?

There’s no public database listing every truck accident settlement in Tennessee, but based on industry data and our firm’s experience, average truck accident settlements can range from a few thousand well into the millions.

Keep in mind: truck accident settlements are typically higher than car accident settlements because trucks cause greater damage, and there are more insurance policies and federal regulations involved.

What Affects a Truck Accident Settlement in Nashville?

Your settlement will depend on many factors, including:

1. Severity of the Injury

The more serious and permanent your injuries, the higher the value of your claim. Permanent disability, chronic pain, or disfigurement can increase the settlement significantly.

2. Medical Costs

Your current and projected medical bills—hospital stays, surgeries, therapy, medications, assistive devices—are a key part of your damages.

3. Lost Wages & Earning Capacity

If you missed work or can no longer return to your job, you may be entitled to compensation for past and future income loss.

4. Pain and Suffering

This covers physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and impact on your daily functioning.

5. Liability and Fault

Was the truck driver 100% at fault? Or is the insurance company trying to shift blame onto you? Tennessee uses modified comparative fault—if you’re more than 50% at fault, you can’t recover anything.

6. Commercial Insurance Coverage

Most commercial trucks are covered by large insurance policies—often $1 million or more. This gives you a better chance at receiving full compensation compared to a typical car accident.

7. Violation of Trucking Regulations

If the trucking company or driver broke federal safety rules (like hours-of-service limits or failed maintenance), that can help establish negligence and strengthen your case.

Common Types of Damages in a Nashville Truck Accident Case

When calculating your truck accident settlement, we’ll look at all possible forms of compensation, including:

  • Medical expenses (past and future)
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Lost income and reduced earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Scarring or disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Wrongful death damages (if a loved one was killed)

At The Higgins Firm, we also work with medical experts, economists, and accident reconstructionists to fully document the value of your claim.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?

One reason truck accident settlements are often higher is because multiple parties can be held liable, including:

  • Truck driver – for negligence, fatigue, intoxication, or distraction
  • Trucking company – for improper training, negligent hiring, or unrealistic delivery deadlines
  • Truck manufacturer – for mechanical failure or defective parts
  • Cargo loaders – for unbalanced or unsecured loads
  • Maintenance providers – for failure to properly service the truck

Identifying all liable parties increases the pool of insurance coverage available and boosts your chances of a higher settlement.

How Long Do Truck Accident Settlements Take in Nashville?

It depends. Some cases settle in a few months. Others may take a year or more—especially if:

  • You have serious or ongoing medical treatment
  • There are disputes about who was at fault
  • Multiple insurance carriers are involved
  • A lawsuit must be filed

At The Higgins Firm, we work to settle your case as quickly as possible—but we never rush into lowball offers. We fight to get the compensation you actually deserve, not just what the insurance company wants to pay.

What If the Insurance Company Offers a Low Settlement?

It’s very common for trucking insurers to offer lowball settlements early on, hoping you’ll accept before speaking with a lawyer. They may say:

  • “This is the best we can do.”
  • “You don’t need an attorney.”
  • “If you wait, it could take years.”

Do not fall for these tactics.

We’ve helped clients recover 10x or more than their original offers by building strong, evidence-backed cases. Once we step in, the insurance company knows they can’t play games.

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Truck Accident Settlement?

Absolutely. Truck accident cases are very different from regular car accidents. They involve:

  • Federal trucking regulations
  • Multiple insurance policies
  • Corporate legal teams
  • Complex liability issues

Without a skilled truck accident lawyer, you could miss key evidence, accept a low offer, or be blamed for something you didn’t do.

At The Higgins Firm, we’ve recovered millions for injured clients—and we’re not afraid to take on national trucking companies and their insurers.

Injured in a Truck Accident in Nashville? Call The Higgins Firm.

If you’ve been hurt in a truck crash in Nashville or anywhere in Middle Tennessee, don’t wait to find out what your case is worth.

We offer free consultations, and we only get paid if we win your case. Let us evaluate your situation, explain your legal options, and help you pursue the full settlement you’re entitled to.

Contact The Higgins Firm today to get started. Because when you’re up against a trucking company, you need a legal team that won’t back down.

Author Bio

Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.

Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.

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