What Damages Can I Collect for a Truck Accident?

You may be entitled to various damages if you’ve been involved in a truck accident. The damages you can collect for a truck accident depend on the circumstances of your accident.

You may know some of the truck accident damages you can collect, but by using a Bardstown truck accident lawyer, you can make sure you get the most from your accident claim. Your truck accident may be worth more than you think.

Types of Damages in Truck Accident Cases

Understanding the types of damages you can collect is crucial for ensuring you receive fair truck accident compensation. Let’s explore the various categories of damages available to you after you’ve been harmed in a truck crash. This is only a list of some of the ones you could receive.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are the tangible, calculable losses you’ve incurred due to the accident. These are often easier to quantify because they’re based on actual expenses and financial losses.

Medical expenses are a primary component of economic damages. This category includes costs for emergency room visits, hospitalization, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical care related to your injuries.

Lost wages are another crucial aspect of economic damages. If your injuries have caused you to miss work, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost income. This can also include future lost earnings if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term.

Property damage is another part of many truck accident claims. This pays for repairing or replacing any personal items affected by the crash. This money commonly pays for your damaged vehicle but can cover other damaged items you own.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more subjective and relate to the intangible losses you’ve suffered due to the accident. These damages are harder to quantify but are equally important in your recovery.

Pain and suffering encompasses the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve experienced due to your injuries. It can include compensation for chronic pain, depression, anxiety, or loss of enjoyment of life.

Loss of consortium is another form of non-economic damages. This refers to the impact of your injuries on your relationships, particularly with your spouse or partner. It can include compensation for loss of companionship, affection, or the ability to maintain a normal family life.

Factors Affecting Damage Awards

Several factors can influence the amount of damages you may be able to collect in a truck accident case. Understanding these can help you set realistic expectations for your claim.

Severity of Injuries

The extent and severity of your injuries play a significant role in determining your compensation. More severe injuries typically result in higher medical bills, longer recovery times, and greater pain and suffering, all of which can increase your potential damages. Severe injuries are quite likely after a truck accident case.

Injuries that result in permanent disability or disfigurement often lead to higher compensation awards. This is because these injuries can have long-lasting effects on your quality of life and ability to earn a living.

Impact on Daily Life

The way your injuries affect your day-to-day life is another important consideration. If you cannot perform basic tasks, enjoy hobbies, or participate in activities you once loved, this can increase your non-economic damages.

For example, if you were an avid runner before the accident and can no longer engage in this activity due to your injuries, this loss would be factored into your pain and suffering damages.

Liability and Negligence

The degree of fault assigned to each party in the accident can affect your damage award. If the truck driver or trucking company is found to be grossly negligent, you may be entitled to punitive damages.

Special Considerations in Truck Accident Cases

Truck accident cases may involve special considerations that can affect your potential truck accident damages:

Multiple Liable Parties

In truck accident cases, multiple parties may share liability. These can include the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, or even the truck manufacturer if a defective part contributed to the accident. Having multiple liable parties could increase the pool of available compensation.

Insurance Coverage

Trucking companies typically carry higher insurance limits than individual drivers. This can mean that there’s potentially more compensation available in truck accident cases compared to standard car accident claims.

Contact a Lawyer to Know the True Value of Your Truck Accident Damages

At McCoy & Hiestand, we can determine what damages you can collect for a truck accident case. Our 60 years of combined experience has helped numerous clients in Bardstown, Georgetown, and Louisville secure the compensation they deserve.

When you choose McCoy & Hiestand, you’re not just getting a lawyer – you’re getting a Dream Team on your side. We have a proven track record of recovering millions for our clients, and we’re ready to put our experience and dedication to work for you.