Truck accidents can be catastrophic, with victims suffering serious injuries that often leave them unable to work and care for their families. Victims need a strong legal team on their side to get the compensation they need to live with dignity.
To be successful in a personal injury claim, you need to establish negligence (the party that caused your accident breached the duty of care they owed to you). You also need to prove causation—that the breach was the legal cause of your losses.
Damages
Any auto accident is dangerous, but when a truck is involved the risk of serious injury or death is much greater. A truck accident can be caused by a variety of factors, including driver error and poor vehicle maintenance.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. These can include economic (such as medical bills), non-economic (such as pain and suffering), and punitive (such as monetary penalties) damages.
A truck accident attorney can help you determine the extent of your injuries and losses. They will also ensure that you receive all the compensation you deserve.
Medical Bills
If you or someone you know has been involved in a truck accident, you will need an experienced Truck Accident Attorney to help you recover the financial resources needed for your medical bills and other losses.
Your first line of defense for paying your medical bills after an accident is personal injury protection (PIP). This is a state mandate and will cover 80% of your medical costs up to $10,000 per person, or $2,000 for individuals who have private health insurance coverage.
However, after PIP exhausted, you will need to submit your bills to your health insurance provider.
Once your PIP has exhausted, your health insurance should also send you a letter indicating that they are entitled to reimbursement from any settlement you receive from the negligent driver’s insurance company.
Pain and Suffering
In addition to medical bills and lost wages, accident victims may also be entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering caused by their injuries. This is called general damages and is different from economic damages.
A truck accident attorney will calculate how much you deserve for your pain and suffering based on the severity of your injuries. They can use a multiplier to determine the amount of money you should be awarded.
Emotional pain can include a decreased quality of life, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, or other psychological distress. These types of issues can impact how you live your daily life and affect your ability to work, play with your children, or enjoy hobbies and other activities that once gave you joy.
Lost Wages
If you were injured in a truck accident, it can take time for you to heal. This can result in missed work, a loss of income, and additional expenses.
You may be entitled to recover lost wages as part of your car accident claim. The amount you are compensated depends on your employment type.
If you work on a salary, the amount of compensation will be based on your pay rate and the number of hours you are missing. If you work on an hourly basis or commission, the calculation is more complicated. The insurance company will require you to provide documentation, including pay stubs or W2 forms.
Property Damage
Property damage is a big concern for many people after a truck accident. This includes everything from a damaged vehicle to lost merchandise purchases, laptops, clothing, eyeglasses and more.
The amount of damages you can claim in a personal injury or wrongful death case will depend on the nature and extent of your injuries, as well as the fault of the other driver. You can pursue compensation for economic damages, non-economic damages and punitive damages if your case is successful.
After an accident, you should collect evidence relevant to your claim as soon as possible. This includes taking photos of the scene, vehicles and other witnesses. It’s also a good idea to call the police and make a report.
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