Commercial trucks are large, difficult to maneuver, have extensive blind spots, and require wide turns and extended stopping distances. They also far outweigh common passenger vehicles on the road. Injuries from truck accidents are often severe or catastrophic, causing life-altering consequences to accident victims. In 2022, 5,276 truck accident fatalities occurred in the United States, the most since 2008.
Surviving truck accident victims quickly find expenses piling up. Medical bills begin coming in while they’re still unable to return to work because of their injuries. A successful truck accident claim holds the liable party responsible for the consequences the accident victim suffers. The courts consider these consequences “damages” to the victim and award them monetary compensation as a civil remedy.
Damages in truck accidents and other civil lawsuits are divided into two categories, economic and non-economic damages. It’s important to understand both types of damages so you can maximize the amount of compensation you claim for your truck accident injuries.
While monetary compensation can’t undo pain or heal an injury, it does open doors to the best medical care to maximize physical recovery after a truck accident. It also helps relieve financial burdens to injured individuals and their families.
In truck accident claims, the at-fault party is responsible for these damages—typically paid through liability insurance. Common at-fault parties in truck accident claims are the truck driver, the trucking company, or the manufacturer of a defective truck part.
The devastating nature of truck accidents causes tremendous property damage and grave injuries to victims. Injuries are almost always more severe to those in personal vehicles compared to truck drivers after an accident. Truck accident claims help victims recover compensation for damages such as the following:
These damages cause significant disruption in the accident victim’s life. Some truck accidents cause permanent disability, impairment, or death. Victims of these serious damages deserve full compensation. For deceased truck accident victims, a wrongful death claim brings compensation to close family members impacted by the loss.
Experienced truck accident attorneys resolve the vast majority of truck accident claims by presenting evidence in a demand package to the appropriate insurance company to gain a settlement for the victim’s damages. Only when an insurance company denies a valid claim or seriously underestimates does the claim progress to a lawsuit in court when the victim’s attorney files a lawsuit within the state’s statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits. Florida’s statute of limitations for car and truck accident cases is 2 years from the date of the accident.
Rest assured, with the extensive experience at Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann, these attorneys are committed to achieving the best possible outcome for their clients, whether through negotiations or in the courtroom. Contact our truck accident attorneys in Sarasota and Bradenton today by calling (941) 954-4000 or filling out our online form.
