Accidents involving semi-trucks are all too common in Utah. Every month the state witnesses several dozen semi-truck accidents, some of which can be deadly. Not so long ago, a driver died in a semi-truck crash near Green river.
Semi-trucks are larger and heavier than passenger vehicles. Plus, they may also be hauling hundreds of pounds of cargo, which can cause fatal collisions. Even if the accident is not fatal, you can suffer injuries severe enough to require hospitalization, several rounds of physical therapy, and even long-term care.
If the recovery from a semi-truck accident takes long, you could end up spending a fortune on treatment. The good news is if you are in a semi-truck accident, you are eligible to receive financial compensation for your injuries. Of course, you will need to hire a semi-truck accident lawyer when filing your claim.
But before you call your attorney, let’s take a look at what damages you can recover.
Types of semitruck accident damages in Utah
No two semi-truck accident cases are similar. The types of damages available in your case will vary depending on:
- the seriousness of your injuries
- how the injuries will affect your life for the foreseeable future
You should consult a semi-truck accident lawyer to understand what damages you can collect for your accident. Usually, you can recover two types of damages. Let’s see what those are.
- Economic Damages
Economic damages are the ones you can calculate or have a fixed value. Generally, your semi-truck accident lawyer will use the receipts, medical bills, invoices, and pay stubs to calculate these damages.
Economic damages include:
Medical Expenses: You have the right to recover compensation for your medical expenses. As mentioned before, semi-truck accidents are often devastating. You may need hospitalization, even surgery, and long-term treatment. This is going to cost you a pretty penny. Thankfully, you can demand reimbursement for almost all of your medical expenses. They include:
- Ambulance transportation
- Doctor’s appointments
- Physical therapy
- Medications
- Medical equipment
- Surgeries
- Lab work
Loss of Wages: You can also claim compensation for loss of wages. Even if your injuries are not severe, you will still need to spend some time recovering. Plus, your doctor’s appointments and medical treatment may keep you from going to work part-time or even full-time.
You can claim compensation for the loss of your wages. If you are self-employed, you can claim damages for loss of business opportunity. Getting this compensation is crucial as you don’t have to burn through your savings to keep a roof over your family’s head and put food on the table.
Property Damage: A semi-truck accident causes not only bodily injuries but also property damage. Your vehicle and other personal belongings are bound to suffer damage, sometimes beyond repair. You would want to get reimbursed for your damaged property. A seasoned semi-truck accident lawyer can also help you recover property damages.
- Non-Economic Damages
Given how devastating a semi-truck accident is, it can leave you in a lot of physical and psychological pain. This pain and suffering is very real, and it can change your life forever. The personal injury law allows you to recover damages for emotional pain and suffering caused by a semi-truck accident.
You can recover the following types of non-economic damages.
Scarring And Disfigurement: Sometimes, the accident may leave a part of your body impaired permanently or temporarily. Or you may get a scar that leaves you in pain and emotionally wounded. Depending on your situation, you can get compensation for these injuries.
Pain And Suffering: For many people, a semi-truck accident can be a very traumatic experience. It is not uncommon for people to experience anxiety and depression after going through an accident. As this emotional pain prevents you from enjoying your life to the fullest, you can seek compensation.
Loss of Consortium: Sometimes, an accident can take a toll on your relationship. It can lead to strained relationships that might end in divorce or breakup. That is bound to leave you emotionally scarred. Thankfully, it is possible to seek compensation for this turmoil.
However, calculating non-economic damages is not as easy as it sounds. You can’t really put a price on your emotional trauma. Still, a skilled semi-truck accident lawyer can help you recover damages for your pain and suffering. As they have done this before, attorneys often have a clear idea of how to deal with this aspect of your personal injury claim.
The Importance of Seeking Compensation
A semi-truck accident is often far deadlier than you think. You could end up losing a limb permanently or temporarily. Even if the injuries are not life-threatening, it may be months, if not weeks, before you could get back to your routine.
Moreover, medical treatments cost a lot of money. If you are the sole breadwinner in your family, it could put your loved ones in a lot of financial trouble. The damages you recover in a personal injury claim are often vital in paying for your medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. This helps your family to survive this difficult situation. You wouldn’t have to raid your savings or compromise your family’s future.
Work With a Semitruck Accident Lawyer
Personal injury claims involving semi-truck accidents are not always straightforward. It is certainly not advisable to file a claim on your own. The insurance company, be it yours or the other driver’s, is not looking out for you. They will try to settle for as little as possible, which will leave you financially stranded.
That’s why you need to work with a competent semi-truck accident lawyer from the start. Make sure to work with an experienced attorney who has handled cases similar to yours. The real-life experience will work in your favor, helping you seek desired compensation.
Other than the work experience, here are a few things you should be looking for in your lawyer.
- The attorney should have a good track record. Check how many cases they have won. Remember, past success may not guarantee good results. But it does tell you about how competent the lawyer is.
- The lawyer should be comfortable to work with. You and your attorney need to be on the same page to get desired results. And it’s possible only if you are comfortable working with each other.
- Your lawyer needs to have excellent negotiation skills. Most personal injury cases don’t go to trial. You are likely to get your settlement after several rounds of negotiation. Negotiation skills can improve your chances of a favorable settlement.
- You would also want your lawyer to be a thorough investigator. Your case may require an in-depth investigation, expert testimony, maybe even accident reconstruction. If your semi-truck accident lawyer is a good investigator, they can build a solid case to get a favorable settlement.
- You should also consider the resources they have. Usually, personal injury cases require considerable money, time, and legal resources. Does your lawyer have all your case needs? Make sure they do.
- Talk about the fee structure as well. Contingency arrangement is a common practice in semi-truck accident cases. However, make sure to clarify before you hire an attorney.
In Conclusion
A semi-truck accident is not only common but also deadly. It can leave you with severe injuries that may require long-term care or result in permanent disability. If that happens, you want to recover damages for your injuries, pain, and suffering. Hopefully, this post will help you understand what type of damages you can recover from a semi-truck accident.
Were you or your family member in a semi-truck accident recently? Talk to our experienced semi-truck accident lawyers to understand and uphold your rights to recover damages.
For more information, please schedule a consultation with us today.