What Damages are Available in a Truck Accident Lawsuit?

Truck accidents are among the most devastating collisions in the United States. These accidents can be fatal and cause several economic and non-economic damages to victims. Therefore, when a truck driver is negligent, sleepy, or otherwise distracted and causes an accident, you should know about the damages that you are entitled to as a victim.

Some damages are available if you settle out of court with an insurance company, or some are afforded to you if you take your case to court. The payment you receive is intended to cover medical bills and lost wages, as well as property damage and pain and suffering.

As a truck accident victim, you’ll need to file a lawsuit with a qualified attorney who will offer you the support and guidance you need during this challenging time.

If you get into an accident involving a truck, a truck accident lawyer in Harford County can help you win a fair settlement for your damages. This financial reward can definitely come in handy when you need to pay medical bills and repair or replace your vehicle. Therefore, it’s important to gather as much information as you can about the accident so you can present it to your lawyer and increase your chances of getting fair compensation whether you settle out of court or decide to bring your case before a judge.

How Do Truck Accidents Occur?

Even though our highway system is complex and commercial vehicles have technology designed to make driving conditions safer, most truck-related collisions happen in similar ways.

Here are some of the factors that lead to truck accidents:

• Distraction: Just like other car accidents, distraction can affect truckers in the form of engaging in social media, watching videos, or texting while driving.
• Driver error: There are times when the accident is caused by driving mistakes even though the driver did not intentionally cause the collision. The trucker may be going too fast or too slow when taking a turn or making another mistake that resulted in an accident.
• Intoxication: Drunk driving is one of the largest contributors to truck accidents in many states. Intoxication causes severe injuries and fatalities every year.
• Fatigue: Truck drivers are often pushed to make deliveries on time and have to delay sleep to drive long distances. Even though truckers may do their best to stay safe on the roads, a lack of rest can result in accidents that lead to expensive damages and medical care.
• Weather and road conditions: Icy or wet roads or highways that aren’t constructed properly can increase the chances of truck accidents. Since semi-trucks are much larger than other vehicles, accidents can have severe consequences.
• Third parties: Sometimes, other parties such as bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as other drivers, can cause truckers to stop suddenly or make quick decisions that can be very dangerous for everyone else on the road, which can lead to a collision.

The amount of your settlement will depend on the trucker’s negligence, as well as whether the trucking company did not properly maintain or repair the truck the driver was operating. You’ll also need to prove that the truck driver was negligent and present evidence that you need medical treatment because of the injuries you sustained during the accident.

Costs and Injuries from the Truck Accident

After the accident, you may suffer personal injuries such as scarring, herniated discs, broken bones, and damage to the joints. You may also suffer financial consequences. For example, if you’re recovering from your injuries and unable to work, you’ll miss out on income. You’ll also be responsible for medical bills and prescriptions if your injuries require long-term treatment.

Being the victim of a truck accident can also lead to non-tangible damages such as anxiety, depression, disability, loss of quality of life, and loss of consortium.

In extreme cases, your damages can also include the loss of a loved one. For example, some truck accidents are fatal. Suppose your loved one passes away because of a truck accident. In that case, you can file a claim for loss of support, loss of companionship, and expenses, including funeral costs and recovering the deceased’s lost income.

For all these reasons, one of the first things to do after a truck accident is to contact a reputable law firm in your state to fight for your rights and get the recovery you deserve. Then, rely on your attorneys to negotiate with the insurance company and even go to trial if it is the case.