Truck Accident Compensation
If you're the victim of a collision with a truck you could receive a call from the insurance company or driver's provider. It is advised to not speak with these individuals unless your attorney is present.
To be eligible for compensation You must prove that the truck driver or company acted in breach of their duty of care and that this breach caused your accident. The types of damages you may pursue include:
Medical expenses
The injuries sustained in a car crash usually require extensive medical treatment. This can result in costly medical bills and prescriptions. Many victims struggle to cover these costs and end up in debt for a long time after the accident occurs. Victims of accidents that injured them can claim various damages, including medical expenses.
Medical expenses are any out-of-pocket costs related to an injury. They could include Xrays, MRIs, and CT scans, as well as visits to the doctor and physical therapy sessions. The out-of-pocket costs can also include the cost of items such as wheelchairs and crutches. It is essential to keep track of all medical expenses and save receipts. A knowledgeable attorney can help you determine which expenses are eligible for compensation.
Generally speaking, the at fault truck driver or their insurance policy must pay for medical expenses. However, they'll only do so when your case settles or a jury will award you compensation following the trial. This could take a long time, and, in the meantime you'll have to pay for your medical expenses out of your own pocket.
Insurance companies exist to make money and employ any trick to their advantage to reduce their payouts. They may seem friendly and helpful, but anything you tell them can be used against you later. Always consult an experienced lawyer before speaking with any representatives of insurance companies.
Your lawyer can help you through the claims process and help you get your full compensation. In certain cases you may need to employ a medical expert to show your injuries and to determine the impact they've had on your life.
Suffering and pain
A semi-truck accident can cause serious injuries. These injuries are often life-changing and can cause long-term suffering and pain.
Because truck accidents are destructive, they can be more emotionally devastating than crashes involving smaller vehicles. They also have greater consequences for the victim as well as their families, including the loss of income. If you've suffered serious injuries as a result of an accident involving a truck, you can claim damages to cover the physical pain and suffering you endured.
The amount of money that you may be entitled to as a result of this portion of your claim can vary. This is due to the fact that it's not always possible to accurately measure the degree of your pain and suffering. There are guidelines that judges or jury could follow to determine the value of your injury. These can include medical records of your injuries, evidence of the treatment of a mental health professional diaries or other forms of documentation about your daily activities, as well as statements from friends or family members about how your injury has impacted them.
Injuries such as a damaged spine or damage to the spinal cord can cause life-threatening pain and loss of mobility. These injuries can be life-threatening, and require continual treatment and surgical repair. They can also cause physical and psychological symptoms, including depression, anxiety or fear or anger, shock, insomnia or post-traumatic disorder (PTSD).
If the fault of the responsible party caused the accident, they should be held accountable for the harm that you've sustained. This is true even if they didn't drive at the time of the accident in the event that they were drunk or were in violation of traffic laws or trucking laws. They may also be responsible for damages for punitive damage.
bellevue truck accident lawyer of wages
You may be entitled to compensation for lost earnings if your injuries stop you working for a long period of time. This compensation is based on how much you would have earned if you had not been unable to work due to your injuries from accidents. It doesn't matter if you took sick leave or vacation. However, you'll need to prove your losses and earnings to the adjuster of your insurance. This can be done by submitting a written document from your physician that specifies your medical condition and how much work you'll have to skip, as well as the previous pay stubs, W-2s, and tax returns.
You can also claim damages if you suffer loss of enjoyment or quality of life. This compensation is for injuries that hinder you from enjoying your favorite hobbies or pastimes like travel. You may also be eligible to recover future income lost if your injuries prevent you from returning to the same type of job in future.
Non-economic damages can be as significant as the financial loss and loss of wages. Examples include pain and suffering as well as disfigurement or scarring and loss of enjoyment life. These types of damages can be significant for victims who sustained serious injuries as a result of a truck crash particularly if the injuries affect internal organs. In extreme cases punitive damages could be available. These are intended to punish the person at fault and discourage them from committing the same reckless behavior in the future. These are not common however they may be awarded in the event that the truck driver was notably negligent or reckless.
Punitive damages
If your injuries keep you from working in the same capacity, you may be eligible for compensation for the loss of wages. This is a major concern for many truck accident victims, as they may not be able pay their expenses on a daily basis without the income they were receiving from their jobs. Additionally, your medical bills can pile up quickly. To ensure you get the most compensation for your losses, you'll need an experienced attorney who has handled truck accidents.
If the negligence of the truck driver or the trucking company caused your injuries, you might be entitled to punitive damages in addition to the compensatory damages discussed above. This is not an easy claim to make. The law regarding punitive damages is very strict. To be eligible for this kind of monetary award, a plaintiff must show that the trucking business or its driver was guilty of fraud, malice, or willful misconduct.
In general juries make punitive damages as an effort to punish those who have committed wrong and to send a message that such conduct is not acceptable. For instance when a jury determines that the driver of the truck was operating their truck under the influence of a drug or speeding up, the hope is that the huge punishment will deter others from engaging in this kind of conduct in the future.
You must prove that the negligence was not a one-off incident, but rather a pattern of conduct or indifference. Many truck accident lawyers are hesitant to bring a punitive damages claim based solely on the usual allegations of reckless conduct. In a recent instance, for instance the court dismissed the punitive damages claim made against Garkusha, who was driving a truck owned by Quality Logistics at the time of his crash with Plaintiff, based on the fact that the Plaintiff failed to present any evidence that Garkusha's conduct right before and during the incident showed a pattern or a lack of attention to the consequences.
Damages to Property Damage
Due to their size and weight semi-trucks and commercial trucks and other large vehicles can cause more severe injuries when they collide with smaller vehicles. As a result, victims could suffer more extensive injuries and higher medical expenses as compared to other vehicle accidents.
Keep meticulous logs of all expenses and losses related to your accident. This will help maximize the value of any claim. Record every expense, for example, when your injuries were caused by a collision with a truck, and you require multiple surgeries, outpatient treatments including physical therapy, as well as prescription medications. Also, if your injuries have caused you to miss work, write down the loss of wages and future earnings potential.
Documenting all property damage is equally important. Document the current value of your car and any other personal possessions damaged or destroyed in the collision. This includes furniture, electronics, clothing and other valuable items. Also, if you've needed to hire a car or travel to doctor appointments keep track of the cost and record any other costs related to these trips.
Insurance companies contact victims of accidents within a short time after a crash to offer settlements, prior to the victim can talk to an attorney. These offers are tempting, however, they don't provide compensation for the entire cost of the accident. An experienced attorney can help you avoid accepting an offer for a small settlement and ensure that the responsible party pays the full value of your claim.
Your lawyer will collect and review all documents prior to submitting them to the insurance company of the liable party as part of your claim. They will also work directly with the insurance company in order to receive damages that are reasonable and reflect the real value.