Truck accidents account for some of the most severe accidents on the roads across the United States today. Due to their size, they are often worse than a normal car accident. Due to this, truck accidents are much more likely to cause more severe personal injury cases, and in the worst-case scenarios – even death.
If you have been involved in a truck accident within the last four years, you should seek legal assistance to claim the compensation you are entitled to for damages. At The Law Place, we have a team full of truck accident lawyers who have worked on an array of cases similar to yours and who will be able to guide you through this process with both knowledge and experience. Each client who gets in touch with us is offered a free case evaluation, which is non-obligatory, and the information you decide to share will be fully protected by the attorney-client relationship.
To receive more information and to speak to a member of our team today, call us via telephone. Our lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, making it easy for you to get in touch at any time that works best for you. Call today on (941) 444-4444 for your free consultation from a reputable law firm.
How to Deal With Insurance Companies
The first step in dealing with your truck accident case is tackling the hurdles that come with talking to your insurance company. The reason for this is that, unfortunately, in truck accident cases, your insurance company could take measures to take advantage of you in the hope of lowering the value of your claim. This is why it is crucial that you have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side, one who can help you with these tricks.
Insurance companies usually need you to call them within 24 hours of the truck accident for your claim to be valid. However, this may differ depending on the company you are with. It is important that you don’t give too much information to them on your first call. This call is likely to be recorded in order to be used as evidence against your claim. Therefore, it is important that you have enough evidence collated so that there is little room for questions and doubts about your account.
Your lawyer will act as your support system throughout this process. They will help you to begin the steps towards being able to collect compensation that is rightfully yours. Most insurance companies do not accept first-time claim offers. However, with the right kind of evidence and the correct legal representation – this should not be an issue for you.
What Are the Damages I Can Collect After a Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one have been involved in a truck accident, you might be unsure of the damages you are entitled to in the aftermath. We understand that it is a stressful time, and with many different things to consider, it is likely you have not had the time to consider these damages. You can categorize the damages into economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages, which are also known as ‘special damages,’ are those that must be proved through bills and receipts. They can be measured in dollars and cents, and once the right evidence is collected, they can be fairly simple to calculate for your insurance claim.
It is no secret that=a truck accident can cause a lot of financial strain on a family. For example:
- Property damage – This refers to the vehicle and any other property damage involved in the accident. For some, owning a truck might be a crucial component for their job, and they might not be in a position that is not financially strong enough to afford a replacement.
- Medical expenses – Medical expenses or medical bills are not cheap, and depending on the severity of the injuries from the accident, they could lead to financial strain for you and your loved ones. Medical expenses cover everything from emergency medical assistance, prescriptions, or long term physical therapy. It is important that you see a doctor not long after your accident, as it can help your truck accident claim with your insurance company. If you wait too long after the accident to seek the medical assistance you need, your insurance company could argue that your injuries aren’t as serious as you are claiming them to be. It is also important to keep detailed records of your medical bills and any sort of documentation they may give you.
- Lost wages – You can claim back any income you lost due to you needing to take time off work in order to recover from your injuries.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are handled differently than economic ones. They do not have a set monetary amount. Instead, their purpose is to compensate you and your loved ones for any emotional or physical stress you might have suffered as a result of the accident.
- Pain and suffering – This usually deals with the recovery process and associated damages after the accident, as well as further complications you might need to deal with. Examples of pain and suffering are the toll the accident can take on you mentally, whether it be trauma or any kind of emotional distress. It also covers physical disabilities, impairments, or scarring. Pain and suffering is a broad thing to cover in a truck accident claim, but it is still important even if effects are not physically visible. They are still valid damages that deserve to be recognized.
- Wrongful death – In the most severe truck accidents, wrongful death can occur. These horrible circumstances could mean that a family has lost their key financial provider. We understand that no amount of compensation will make up for the loss you feel, but these damages are designed to deal with the financial burden, so you don’t have to. This includes funeral and burial costs.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are achievable in some truck accident cases. They are not designed to collect compensation but instead act as a form of punishment for the truck driver who caused the accident. In the case of a truck accident, punitive damages may only be awarded if there is clear evidence that the truck driver was violating the law. For example, if they were driving recklessly or driving under the influence at the time of the accident. If this can be proven, the victim is entitled to punitive damages.
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Contact The Law Place Today
Hopefully, after reading this, you are more sure of what damages you can collect for a truck accident case.
After contacting us, you will receive a free consultation from a truck accident lawyer who will be happy to further guide you through the legal process. The sooner you get in touch, the better, as we can get to work on your truck accident claim and help you begin to recover from this stressful ordeal.
Call today for a free consultation on (941) 444-4444!
