Truck accidents often result in serious injuries, huge medical bills, missed work time, and emotional trauma that stays with you for years to come. If you have been in a truck accident that you did not cause, you have the right to seek compensation for all the damages suffered.
The amounts and types of damages you can collect for a car accident depend on the specific circumstances of the case and the seriousness of the injuries. You may be entitled to economic damages, non-economic damages, or both to help you recover your losses and move forward in life.
Types of damages from a truck accident
Economic damages
These are the losses that have a fixed monetary value. These damages can be easily proved through medical bills, vehicle repair bills, replacement invoices, pay stubs, and other bills. Economic damages include:
Medical expenses: You can claim reimbursement for medical expenses such as doctor’s appointments, surgery, hospitalization, ambulance transportation, physical therapy, lab work, medications, rehabilitation, and other expenses resulting from your truck accident injuries.
Loss of wages: Whether you work full-time or part-time, your truck accident injuries and your doctor’s appointments may keep you from going to work. You can claim compensation for wage loss for your recovery period. If you are self-employed, you may be able to claim a loss of business opportunity.
Property damage: Whenever there is an accident involving a truck, the smaller vehicle often sustains serious damage. You can claim compensation for the vehicle damage as well as for damage to other belongings.
Non-economic damages
None-economic damages do not have a set dollar amount because they are meant to compensate the victim for the physical or emotional suffering they experience because of the accident. Some common types of non-economic damages you can claim for a truck accident are pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring or disfigurement, and others. These damages are often difficult to calculate and prove. Only an experienced truck accident lawyer can help you claim non-economic damages.
Punitive damages deriving from a truck accident
In addition to compensatory damages, you may be awarded punitive damages as a means to punish negligent drivers for dangerous violations that lead to the accident. Punitive damages are awarded depending on the type of violation involved. These may include:
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Reckless driving
- Passing in a no-passing zone
- Driving in the wrong lane
- Crossing the barrier that divides a highway
- Wrong way driving
- Following too closely with the intent to harass or intimidate
Wrongful Death Damages
If you have lost a loved one in a truck accident, you might be able to claim wrongful death damages. Apart from the medical expenses, the following damages may be claimed:
- Burial and funeral expenses
- Loss of income and other financial benefits
- Loss of companionship
Seeking legal help in a truck accident case
It is important to know that you have a limited time to file a claim after a truck accident. In Connecticut, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. It is best to get in touch with an experienced Connecticut truck accident lawyer immediately after the crash and let them handle the case right from the beginning. The lawyer will ensure that your legal rights are protected while you are recovering from the injuries and that you are reasonably compensated for all the losses arising from the accident.
If you have been in a truck accident, get in touch with our team now. We can help you understand what damages you can collect, your legal rights, and much more.