What Compensation Can You Receive in a Truck Accident?

By Zane T. Cagle | March 3, 2021 | Truck Accidents

It’s no surprise that truck accidents are often far worse for those involved than any other type of motor vehicle accident. Due to the sheer size of a commercial truck, these crashes are often catastrophic in nature. Most people do not think about the complexities of truck accidents until they’re involved in one. Truck accidents can be an extremely traumatic thing to experience, and recovering from them is often difficult. While the aftermath of a truck accident may be filled with many challenges, financial compensation can help make some aspects easier to overcome.

Naturally, after an accident like this, some are going to wonder, “what compensation can you receive in a truck accident?” The amount of compensation people receive for truck accidents varies, and your compensation will depend on the damages you’ve experienced. To know what you deserve, you’ll need a truck accident lawyer in St. Louis, MO, to assess your situation.

Types of Compensation in Truck Accidents

There are different types of compensation you can receive after a truck accident. Since truck accidents are often very serious, those involved can suffer from a range of damages. The damages you experience after an accident might be different from others, and the amount you may deserve depends on your unique situation. Some of the damages caused by truck accidents are also non-economic, so the amount of compensation needed isn’t always clear. Economic damages cover the financial losses caused by an accident, whereas non-economic damages refer to losses that don’t have an exact monetary value, such as the pain and suffering caused by the accident.

Commercial trucks are required to have commercial insurance coverage, which can vary from a million to several million. This is usually quite different from the amount of coverage available in a passenger vehicle crash. It is a very safe assumption that a commercial trucking company’s insurance carrier will not just offer the policy limit amount after your injury, no matter the severity. Thus, when claims are made to a commercial carrier, you really need an experienced attorney to fight for this much-needed compensation.

Here are the types of truck accident compensation that may be owed.

Medical Expenses

Medical expenses are the most apparent economic damages for which you can receive compensation. Most truck accidents result in severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment, which comes at a substantial financial cost. In addition to medical billing initially received, there may also be compensation for future expenses. Someone injured by a truck accident could require treatment long into the future and additional care and accommodation for their injuries if they are permanent in nature.

Lost Wages

Injuries from a truck accident could force someone to be out of work for weeks, months, or permanently. Most people can’t afford to miss work and lose their income, but this isn’t optional when you have serious injuries. This affects the injured person and often their entire family if others are dependent on their income. Some might never return to their previous jobs or handle the same type of work, which could force them to have to retrain or possibly not return to their previous wage. Someone injured by a truck accident could receive compensation for wages they’ve lost and what they may lose in the future.

Pain and Suffering

In addition to the medical and lost wage damages, many may also be subjected to the pain and suffering an accident can cause. The injuries one suffers from can cause extreme pain that can affect them in the future. On top of physical pain, many also experience emotional pain and suffering. Traumatic events like these can cause anxiety, depression, insomnia, and more.

Loss of Consortium

Unfortunately, many truck accidents cause permanent, life-altering injuries or are fatal. Those who have lost a loved one, such as a spouse or partner, may receive compensation for loss of consortium due to a truck accident.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages aren’t as common as other damages involved in truck accidents. These damages aim to punish the driver or trucking company if it’s proven that they were incredibly negligent and caused harm. This is less common because it’s often difficult to prove.

Find Out What You Deserve After an Accident

There’s no way to tell on your own what amount of compensation you deserve for the damages you’ve faced. This is why it’s essential to work with a personal injury lawyer experienced with truck accident cases. No one should have to go through an event like a truck accident, but when someone else is at fault, you deserve help that can get you through it. At The Cagle Law Firm, we can help you get the financial compensation you need after a serious accident.

Contact The Cagle Law Firm toll-free at (1-800) 685-3302 or locally at (314) 276-1681 to get help after your truck accident.

About The Author

Zane T. Cagle

Zane T. Cagle is the founding president and lead trial attorney at The Cagle Law Firm. With a strong dedication to his clients, he has built a reputation for his tenacious representation in personal injury cases, ensuring each client's unique story is heard. Areas of Practice: Personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death. Bar Admissions: Supreme Court of Missouri, Illinois & Kentucky. Superior Court of U.S. Virgin Islands Education: Washington University School of Law. Awards: Super Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers Association, 10 Best in Missouri for Customer Satisfaction.

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