According to a recent Global Truck Crash Frequency Survey, the leading cause of truck accidents in the United States is driver error.
Truck drivers can make mistakes because they are not fully trained or experienced. They can also be involved in accidents due to speeding, driving while tired, being distracted, and being intoxicated.
Of course, not all truck accidents are the fault of the truck drivers. Often, accidents are the result of another driver’s negligence.
If you are involved in a truck accident that is not your fault, you could end up with minor or serious injuries. But at least you are entitled to claim for compensation to cover things like present and future medical expenses, loss of wages, pain and suffering, and vehicle repairs.
Seek Medical Help and Legal Help After a Truck Accident
The first thing you need to do after being involved in a truck accident is to get medical attention. Even if you have no visible injuries or just a few cuts and bruises, it is still important that you see a medical professional.
It can sometimes take days for injuries to become apparent, and things like internal bleeding can go unnoticed, so it is crucial a doctor or another qualified medical expert examines you as soon as possible.
Furthermore, if you end up in litigation after your truck accident, you will need official medical records to prove the extent of your injuries.
If you are involved in an accident that is not your fault, your next step is to seek help from a specialist accident lawyer to help you gain compensation.
For instance, the experienced truck accident lawyers at Chaffin Luhana can “help you recover the money you need to obtain the best medical care and to achieve the highest quality of life.”
With an experienced and professional lawyer on board, you have four main options for the types of damages you can potentially claim.
1. Medical Expenses
Typically, medical expenses form a large part of the economic damages in a truck accident claim. You can gain compensation for various medical costs associated with injuries caused by the accident. That includes present expenses and estimated future medical costs.
Medical expense damages include compensation for things like medication, surgeries, prosthetic devices, hospital stays, ambulances, in-home services, therapies, and rehabilitation.
2. Loss of Income
After being involved in a truck accident, you could be unable to work, either temporarily or permanently. In which case, you can apply to recover damages for your loss of income.
If you have a temporary disability or health problem, the process of claiming for loss of income is fairly straightforward. But if you are left with a permanent problem, working out things like expected future income and reductions in earning capacity can become complex.
However, as long as you have an experienced injury lawyer on board, he or she will use a network of professionals to calculate a fair loss-of-income settlement amount.
3. Pain and Suffering
Claiming compensation for pain and suffering is not so straightforward because the damages are less tangible than physical injuries and loss of income.
Still, the law enables claimants to potentially recover damages for their pain and suffering after being involved in vehicle accidents.
So, depending on the precise pain and suffering you have experienced and the case your lawyer puts forward, you could receive substantial financial compensation to help you ease your suffering and pain.
4. Property Losses
Finally, you can claim compensation for property losses. That means you can potentially gain a financial settlement to cover the cost of replacing or repairing your truck.
