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Guide · Truck accidents · All states

Truck accident settlements: what the data shows

Updated By the Counselworthy teamGeneral information, not legal advice

Short answer

  • No public source reports a typical truck accident settlement, because most settle privately.
  • Federal rules set a floor: for-hire interstate trucks hauling general freight need at least $750,000 in liability coverage.
  • Below are the truck results the New Jersey firms we rank posted.
  • Firms post their wins, so these run high.

Checked October 21, 2026.

Sources: 49 CFR 387.9. Every fact cites a source

Settlement benchmark by injury

Three numbers get quoted for truck claims. None of them is a value for your claim. Here's what each one measures.

  1. $750,000Federal minimum, general freightWhat it isThe least a for-hire interstate truck of 10,001 pounds or more hauling general freight must be insured for.Source: 49 CFR 387.9Why it isn't yoursIt's a floor on insurance, not a cap or a value. A policy pays up to its limit, and a carrier's limit can be higher.
  2. $5,000,000Federal minimum, some hazardous loadsWhat it isThe minimum for some hazardous loads, like hazardous substances hauled in bulk in cargo tanks.Source: 49 CFR 387.9Why it isn't yoursAlso a floor, not a value, and only for those loads.
  3. $1,050,000What firms advertiseWhat it isThe middle of 36 truck accident results that 11 ranked firms advertise on their own sites. They run from $116,000 to $5,000,000. 31 of them don't say what year.Source: Firm websites, checked November 1, 2026Why it isn't yoursFirms post their wins, so these run high. Expect most claims to settle lower.
What firms advertise for truck accident injuries
Lowest
$116k
Middle
$1.1M
Highest
$5M

36 results from 11 firms. Each step on the scale multiplies, so small and large amounts both fit.

See all 36, each in the firm's own words with its source

By injury, the New Jersey rule that matters most

Advertised results for one injury show once 3 firms post 5 of them. One has enough so far: back and neck.

  • Back and neckSoft tissue, disc or back injuriesIf you were in a car, your own auto policy's PIP pays your medical bills first, whoever caused the crash, up to $250,000 unless a lower amount was chosen in writing.Firms advertise: middle $750k, $500k to $1.3M, 5 results from 3 firmsSource: N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4.3; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-5(g)
  • Brain injuryA head or brain injury from the crashNew Jersey jurors are told the law gives them no table, schedule or formula for pain and suffering. They weigh how serious the injury is and how long it lasts.Source: Model Civil Jury Charge 8.11E (revised May 2017)
  • Hurt at workA truck driver, or anyone on the jobAgainst your own employer, workers' comp is generally the only remedy. A claim against someone else who caused the crash is still allowed.Source: N.J.S.A. 34:15-8; N.J.S.A. 34:15-40; N.J.S.A. 34:15-51; N.J.S.A. 34:15-17

What moves the number

Six things that shape truck claims. New Jersey rules are marked.

The truck's insurance

A policy pays up to its limit. For-hire interstate trucks hauling general freight must carry at least $750,000, and some hazardous loads $5,000,000.

Source: 49 CFR 387.9
Who is responsible

An employer can be legally responsible for an employee's wrongful acts within the scope of the job. That rule applies to employees, but not to independent contractors.

Source: Wex, Respondeat superior
The driver's hours

A driver hauling property may drive 11 hours after 10 hours off. Carriers only have to keep drivers' duty records for 6 months.

Source: 49 CFR 395.3(a); 49 CFR 395.8(k)(1)
The company's accident register

A carrier must keep an accident register for 3 years after each accident, with copies of the accident reports states, other agencies or insurers require.

Source: 49 CFR 390.15(b)
NJYour share of the fault

Your recovery drops by your share of the fault. Above 50%, you recover nothing.

Source: N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1; N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.2
NJPain and suffering

New Jersey jurors are told the law gives them no table, schedule or formula for it. So we don't offer a pain and suffering calculator.

Source: Model Civil Jury Charge 8.11E (revised May 2017)

Partly at fault? How the cut works

Here's what the same example claim comes to at different shares of fault. It's an example, not a value for anyone's claim.

What a $100,000 claim comes to at each share of fault
Your share of the faultA $100,000 claim becomes
0%$100,000
25%$75,000
50%$50,000
51%$0, nothing
Source: N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1; N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.2

NJThe deadlines in New Jersey

  1. Sue for an injury, in generalN.J.S.A. 2A:14-2(a)Within 2 years
  2. A government truck or roadN.J.S.A. 59:8-8Notice within 90 days after the claim arises
Source: N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2(a); N.J.S.A. 59:8-8; N.J.S.A. 59:8-9

Sources

General information, not legal advice. We don't know the facts of your claim. A lawyer can review them, and most injury lawyers offer a free consultation.

What to do next

Questions people ask

What is the average truck accident settlement?

No public source reports one, because most truck claims settle privately. The New Jersey firms we rank post their own truck results, shown on this page in each firm's own words. Firms post their wins, so those run high.

Who pays a truck accident settlement?

Often the trucking company and its insurer. An employer can be legally responsible for an employee's wrongful acts within the scope of the job. That rule doesn't reach independent contractors.

How much insurance does a semi truck have to carry?

Federal rules require for-hire interstate trucks of 10,001 pounds or more hauling general freight to carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage. Some hazardous loads need $5,000,000. A minimum is a floor; a policy can be higher.

Can I get a truck accident settlement if I was partly at fault?

In New Jersey, your recovery drops by your share of the fault. Above 50% at fault, you recover nothing.

What if I was hurt driving a truck for work?

In New Jersey, workers' comp is generally the only remedy against your own employer. A claim against someone else who caused the crash is still allowed.

Is there a truck accident settlement calculator?

Not a real one. New Jersey jurors are told the law gives them no table, schedule or formula for pain and suffering. The amount is left to their judgment.

More on truck accidents

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