Can I Sue for Being Hit by a Semi Truck? | Truck Accident Claim
Semi trucks are no joke. They are dangerous, heavy machines that can cause incredible destruction. And yet, despite carrying tens of thousands of pounds of cargo, truck drivers are often not cautious enough while operating their vehicle. At times, they may participate in intoxication, exhaustion, distracted driving, speeding. This leads to driver negligence, which can, in turn, lead to an accident, and severe injury. In fact, even trucking companies can contribute to accidents by failing to properly load cargo, or by forcing drivers onto a strict shipping schedule.
If you’ve been injured due to being hit by a semi truck, you may be entitled to sue for a significant amount of damages. But lawsuits aren’t always straightforward or easy to unpack. To maximize your chances of success, it’s important to secure the assistance of a personal injury attorney.
Call 1-800-THE-LAW2 to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney about your semi truck case.
Semi Truck Accidents
Why do semi trucks cause severe, or even fatal, injury in many cases? The answer is a matter of basic physics. Semi trucks weigh up to 20 times more than a typical four door car, this simple fact makes the collision impact force significantly greater in a semi truck accident of equal speed. A greater impact force means more severe injuries, as the impact force can crumple, crush, penetrate, and shatter your own vehicle’s protective materials.
Given the likelihood of a severe, life-altering injury, immediate medical attention in a semi truck accident is of critical importance. This has both medical and legal ramifications. Not only will you receive the care you need for your injuries, but you’ll also be able to document the severity of those injuries (which will be important when arguing against an insurance company).
How an Injury Lawyer Can Help With Your Truck Accident Claim
But how does an experienced personal injury lawyer fit into this dynamic? What benefits and advantages do they provide? We’ll state it simply: do NOT move forward without an attorney. Period. Attorneys are necessary advocates. They go through years of schooling, certification, training, and practice, all to be able to handle cases like this. They know the deadlines that you have to meet in order to preserve your claim. They know the evidence that will have to be gathered to build a persuasive legal claim. They know how to counter the other side’s arguments, and how to navigate any unexpected twists and turns in the dispute. In other words, they know everything that you don’t about the law.
Without an attorney, it is fair to say that you’ll not only secure less compensation than you would have with an attorney. But, you may even secure nothing, if you lose your case.
What Can I Sue For In a Semi Truck Accident?
In a semi truck accident, you may be wondering what damages you can actually sue, and recover, for, so let’s clear it up. Ultimately, you can sue others for any and all damages that they cause. For example, if you’re injured by a semi truck driver, you could potentially sue them for your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost earning capacity
- Lost wages
- Property losses
- And pain and suffering, among other things.
We’ll go through each of these damages briefly.
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses include any costs associated with diagnostics, treatment, medicines, surgery, and rehabilitation you received, or will continue to receive, because of the injuries you suffered. These expenses can be substantial, especially if the injuries are severe and life altering in some way. Worth noting: you can sue for medical expenses even if you have no out-of-pocket costs due to insurance coverage.
Lost Wages
Lost wages account for the pay you didn’t receive due to having to miss work for some time after an injury. By contrast, lost earning capacity accounts for your injury’s impact on your ability to earn in the long term. This can include: the reduced salary you’d receive due to being less equipped for a promotion down the line.
Property Loss
Property loss is exactly what it sounds like, damage to your vehicle and personal effects sustained in the accident. The cost to repair or replace these items needs to be included in the compensation you’re requesting.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering can be substantial in, and after, an accident. These damages account for the physical, psychological, and emotional pain that you have sustained as the victim. Quite a comprehensive category of damages, it accounts for the agonizing pain of a fracture injury. It also includes the pain of mental humiliation due to facial disfigurement.
Find a Personal Injury Lawyer to Help with Your Truck Accident Claim
If you’ve been injured in a semi truck accident, don’t just ignore your legal claims. Get in touch with a skilled personal injury lawyer near you who can handle your case. Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 today for a free and confidential consultation.
