Truck accident claims are often complicated, considering that there are multiple parties involved. Primarily, you will have to prove that you suffered due to the negligent driving of the truck driver, but that may not be enough. Apart from the driver, the trucking company, truck owner, manufacturer or loader may be at fault. Establishing negligence in your claim is the first step to get started. Once your attorney does it for you, the next step would be to decide the type of compensation you will be entitled to get. Basically, it depends on the extent of injuries you sustain. Make sure you are in touch with your attorney at each stage of this process so that you get your deserved compensation. Consider that it usually takes a long time for insurance companies to settle the claim amount; this is the problem most accident victims face. Experienced truck accident attorneys are well-versed in methods for resolving the claim correctly. They will help you quickly collect the necessary evidence for your case, even the kind of information that is usually difficult or impossible to obtain. Here are the types of compensation you can claim, based on the estimate of your injuries.
Economic damages
Economic compensation, as the name suggests, are the ones that can be assessed and calculated in an actual dollar amount. The attorney reviews the details of the case to get information on the entire out of pocket expenses after the accident. These may include the following:
- Current and previous medical bills related to the accident
- At-home nursing care
- Physical therapy
- Modifications to your living space due to the accident
- Lost wages
- Damage to your property
A truck accident is a traumatizing experience in itself. But the economic aftermath of such mishaps is often tremendous. For this reason, it becomes vital to have a seasoned attorney who can get you a fair value of compensation.
Non-economic damages
Apart from the economic compensation, you can also claim non-economic damages though they can be a little tricky to calculate and assign an exact dollar amount. These are intangible items that typically include:
- Potential loss of earning
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional counseling
Your lawyer from a reputable truck accident law firm can seek compensation for non–economic damages if you have suffered immense pain and suffering as an emotional impact of your injuries. Similarly, you can also file if you have lost a loved one in an accident with a truck because it can bring immense pain and suffering. A drastic change in your lifestyle and abilities is another good reason to seek non-economic damages.
Punitive damages
One of the more rare kinds of damages you can claim in truck accidents is punitive damages, which the victim gets over and above the economic and non-economic compensation. The court may award them for making an exemplary case, where a negligent driver or trucking company intentionally ignored the safety laws or caused a crash due to extremely dangerous driving. Punitive damages often come into play in cases where the victim did not survive or suffered life-altering injuries, all because of the negligence of the truck driver.
The damages awarded to victims in truck accident cases may vary on case to case basis, which makes them complex. Truck accidents can be some of the most severe on the road. It’s imperative to reach out for help in the event that you get in a wreck. If you’ve found yourself in a truck accident, be sure to contact a truck wreck attorney to get the support you need.
Hence, it is best to collaborate with a seasoned attorney who has extensive experience and a good track record in such cases. Not only can they help you the kind and extent of damages you rightfully deserve but also ensure that you get a settlement that has all your damages and suffering covered.
