Truck accidents can be life-changing. Even if you were only in a minor accident, you may be facing costly medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and a long recovery. A serious accident can mean that you are worried about your family’s financial future. One of the most common questions that personal injury lawyers are asked is how much a case is worth. The answer depends on many factors, such as who was at fault, the seriousness of any injuries, and how much insurance coverage is available.
If you have questions about compensation after a truck accident, contact Oronoz & Ericsson Injury Lawyers for more information by calling (702) 878-2889. Our attorneys can evaluate your case and make sure that you do not settle for less than your case is worth. We can help make filing a claim against a truck driver a simple and easy process so that you can focus on your recovery while our attorneys work to prove your case and get you the compensation you deserve.
Proving Damages in a Truck Accident Injury Case
If you were injured in a truck accident, you must prove that another person or entity (such as a corporation) was at fault for the accident, as well as the extent of your damages. Damages include costs like medical bills and lost wages, as well as more intangible losses like pain and suffering, loss of future enjoyment of life, and permanent disfigurement.
If your case is undisputed in terms of who was at fault, you will be able to prove your losses by presenting evidence such as medical bills, photographs of any injuries, and wage loss statements, as well as testimony from you, your medical providers, and family members about the losses you sustained. Make sure to keep track of any out-of-pocket costs you have expended. It’s also a good idea to take photos of any injuries and keep a log of your pain levels if you sustained long-term injuries.
If your case involves serious conduct by the driver such as drunk driving, you may be able to request punitive damages. This is an award to the plaintiff in a lawsuit that is designed to punish the defendant and discourage other defendants from repeating similar conduct. Most cases involve simple negligence, which means that the truck driver was not acting with the standard of care that a reasonable person would exercise in the same situation. Punitive damages can substantially increase the amount of compensation you may receive.
Every case is different, and the amount of compensation will depend on the severity of your injuries. Most cases will settle for around two or three times the total amount of medical bills. If your case involves serious, life-changing injuries that caused a permanent disability, your case will be worth more to account for future losses, including lost wages and costs for future medical bills and rehabilitation.
What if I was Partially at Fault?
If you were partially at fault for a truck accident, you may still be able to file a claim for compensation as long as you were less than fifty percent at fault for the accident. However, the amount of your claim may be reduced by the amount you are found to be at fault. For example, if a jury awards you $100,000 after your case proceeds to trial but finds that you were 25% at fault for the accident, your compensation may be reduced to $75,000.
If your case involves a dispute about whether or not you were at fault for an accident or not, you should still consult an attorney, especially if you were seriously injured. Our truck accident injury lawyers can often consult experts such as accident reconstruction consultants to prove that the accident was not your fault.
Insurance and Truck Accident Claims
The amount of compensation in your case may be limited by insurance policy limits. Commercial truck drivers are required to carry insurance with higher policy limits than non-commercial drivers. The truck driver’s employer may also be held liable if the driver was acting within the scope of his or her employment at the time of the accident and was not employed as an independent contractor.
Even if a truck driver’s insurance is insufficient to cover your claim, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company. A truck accident lawyer can carefully review your policy to determine what coverage is available to make sure all your losses are covered.
Consult Our Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers
If you have questions about what your case is worth after a truck accident, contact our office right away. Insurance companies will often try to get you to settle for less than your case is really worth or try to argue that you were at fault for an accident, even if you weren’t.
Our experienced injury lawyers can make sure that you receive all the compensation that you deserve for your claim. We know how to negotiate with insurance companies and will work hard to help you win your case. Contact Oronoz & Ericsson Injury Lawyers by calling (702) 878-2889 to schedule a consultation.