What Damages Can I Collect in a Truck Accident Case?

Collisions involving large commercial trucks can lead to severe injuries, property damage, and even fatalities. When pursuing legal action after a truck accident, understanding the types of damages available for compensation is crucial. So, what damages can I collect in a truck accident case?

This comprehensive guide aims to shed light on the various damages that victims can collect in a truck accident case. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, don’t wait to speak with an experienced Raleigh truck accident lawyer.

Understanding Damages in a Lawsuit

Damages refer to the monetary compensation awarded to a plaintiff in a lawsuit to compensate for the losses or injuries they have suffered due to the actions or negligence of the defendant. Damages serve to restore the plaintiff to the position they were in before the harm occurred, as much as possible. 

There are various types of damages that may be sought in a lawsuit, depending on the nature of the case and the specific losses incurred by the plaintiff. In truck accident cases, you may recover economic, non-economic, punitive, and wrongful death damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages refer to the tangible financial losses incurred as a result of a truck accident. These damages are relatively straightforward to quantify and typically include:

• Medical expenses: This covers the costs of hospitalization, surgeries, doctor visits, medication, rehabilitation, and any other necessary medical treatments related to the injuries sustained in the accident. It may also encompass future medical expenses if the injuries require ongoing care.
• Lost wages: If the injuries sustained in the truck accident prevent the victim from working, they are entitled to compensation for the income lost during their recovery period. This includes wages, bonuses, and other employment benefits that would have been earned had the accident not occurred.
• Property damage: Damage to the victim’s vehicle or other property as a result of the accident is also compensable. This includes repair or replacement costs for the damaged vehicle, as well as any personal belongings that were lost or damaged in the collision.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages, also known as general damages, are more subjective in nature and relate to the intangible losses suffered by the victim. These damages may include:

• Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress experienced as a result of the truck accident. This includes not only the immediate pain caused by injuries but also any long-term or chronic pain and suffering endured by the victim.
• Emotional distress: Trauma, anxiety, depression, and other psychological effects stemming from the accident may warrant compensation. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common among truck accident survivors and may significantly impact their quality of life.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: If the injuries sustained in the accident diminish the victim’s ability to participate in activities they once enjoyed, they may be entitled to compensation for the loss of enjoyment of life. This could include hobbies, recreational activities, or social interactions that are no longer feasible due to the injuries.
• Loss of consortium: In cases where the truck accident results in the loss of companionship, intimacy, or support from a spouse or family member, the affected individual may seek compensation for loss of consortium.

Punitive Damages

In certain cases involving extreme negligence or intentional misconduct on the part of the truck driver or trucking company, punitive damages may be awarded. Unlike economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages are intended to punish the at-fault party and deter similar conduct in the future. 

Punitive damages are typically reserved for cases where the defendant’s actions were particularly reckless or malicious.

Wrongful Death Damages

In the tragic event that a truck accident results in the death of a loved one, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for their losses. Wrongful death damages may include:

• Funeral and burial expenses: The costs associated with laying the deceased to rest, including funeral services, burial or cremation, and related expenses.
• Loss of financial support: Compensation for the income and financial support that the deceased would have provided to their dependents had they survived.
• Loss of companionship: Surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for the loss of the deceased’s love, guidance, companionship, and consortium.

Contact our Raleigh wrongful death lawyers for more information about recovering damages after your truck collision.

Contact Whitley Law Firm to Speak With a Truck Accident Lawyer and Recover Damages for Your Losses

Now you know the answer to, “What damages can I collect in a truck accident case?” Pursuing a truck accident claim can help victims recover the compensation they need to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses resulting from the accident. 

By understanding the various types of damages available in a truck accident case, victims can work with their truck accident lawyers to build a strong legal strategy and seek the justice they deserve. Contact Whitley Law Firm now for help.