After a truck accident, you may be eligible for special damages, general damages, and exemplary damages.
Special Damages for Truck Accidents
These are economic damages to reimburse you for your monetary losses, including the following:
- Medical expenses, including hospital bills, doctor bills, medical equipment, rehabilitation, in-home care, physical therapy, prescription medication, transportation to the doctor, or any other medical need
- Property damages
- Lost earnings
- Projected future or lifetime earnings in cases of disabling
General Damages
These are non-economic damages for personal, subjective losses without a measurable monetary value. They include the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Loss of capacity to enjoy life
- Loss of society
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
Exemplary Damages
These are punitive damages awarded only in special cases where the negligence included malice, fraud, oppression, or blatant recklessness.
Transcript:
Patrice McKinney:
It’s very difficult to put a number on a case whenever we first get it because like individuals, each case is different and so it’s going to be based on the facts of the case, which of course we won’t know all of the facts until we start an investigation and discovery.
It’s determined by the seriousness of the injuries. Again, you may not know that for several months if the person is seriously injured, may be undergoing medical treatment for several months or maybe even for a lifetime. So all of those factors will need to be taken into consideration before you can actually put a value on the case.
What Damages Can Loved Ones Claim for a Truck Accident Death?
If your family member was killed in a truck crash, you may be eligible to receive compensation by filing a wrongful death action. In wrongful death cases, you can receive the following damages:
- Economic damages, including funeral expenses and medical expenses, plus the monetary value of the decedent’s life
- Non-economic damages, including loss of society, companionship, and parental guidance. You may also be able to claim the pain and suffering of the deceased.
- Punitive damages in extraordinary cases of reckless, fraudulent, or malicious conduct
How Long Does It Take To Settle a Truck Accident Claim?
Settling a case is usually much faster than litigating in court, but the process can still take several months. Your truck accident attorney will need adequate time to obtain a thorough forensic analysis of the accident, interview witnesses, obtain medical records, and determine future medical costs.
It is also possible that the full extent of your injuries cannot be immediately diagnosed. In these cases, it will be necessary to wait to move forward until the lifetime cost of your injuries can be accurately estimated.
The negotiation process can take time, especially if the opposing party is unwilling to offer a fair settlement. The Houston truck accident attorneys at The Lanier Law Firm are skillful negotiators, but we are also skilled litigators who are always prepared to take your case to court in the event that a fair settlement cannot be reached. We will not settle for any amount less than you deserve.