Economic and non-economic damages are the most common types of compensation available after a Jacksonville truck accident. In rare cases, injury victims may also be entitled to punitive damages.
A Jacksonville truck accident lawyer from our firm can tell you which damages are available in your case and how to pursue those damages.
Economic Damages And Your Jacksonville Truck Accident
Economic damages may be the first thing that comes to mind when you consider seeking compensation for your accident. These are the financial losses connected with the crash. They frequently include:
- Medical costs
- Property damage and repair bills
- Loss of wages
- Loss of benefits, bonuses, or promotions
- Loss of employment or employment opportunities
- Associated replacement costs, such as rental cars or childcare
You could also recover money for estimated future expenses if, for example, you will require additional medical care down the line or you can never return to full-time employment.
Non-economic Damages And Your Jacksonville Truck Accident
Do not overlook the impact of your physical and mental suffering: these non-economic damages often form a significant part of a truck accident settlement. Our legal team can make sure to account for losses like the following as we consider what compensation is available to you after a Jacksonville truck accident:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Loss of independence
- Reduced quality or enjoyment of life
- Partial or total disabilities, whether temporary or permanent
- Significant scarring
- Loss of consortium
Wrongful Death Damages Are Also Available In Truck Accident Cases
If you lost a loved one in a trucking accident, you could still qualify for economic and non-economic damages. However, the types of compensation available in wrongful death cases may be different from they are in personal injury cases:
- If your loved one did not get the chance to file a claim on their own behalf, you could potentially collect the personal injury damages that they would have qualified for had they survived, such as pain and suffering.
- If you covered any accident-related expenses, such as your loved one’s medical bills or funeral costs, you could seek reimbursement.
- If you relied on the deceased’s income, you could receive money for the loss of financial support.
- Depending on your relationship to the deceased, you could qualify for damages based on loss of companionship or guidance, as well as the mental pain and suffering caused by the wrongful death.
How To Qualify For Punitive Damages After A Trucking Accident
All of the damages discussed so far have been compensatory damages: in other words, they are intended to reimburse you for a specific injury, expense, or loss. In most cases, accident victims will only be able to collect compensatory damages, which should be sufficient to cover their needs.
However, in a few extraordinary cases, a jury may decide that the liable party’s negligence was so extreme that compensatory damages are not enough. The jury could then award punitive damages as a way to punish the at-fault party and provide the accident victim with additional funds.
We can determine if punitive damages apply to your case by:
- Collecting evidence to figure out how the accident happened
- Determining if the liable party’s actions go beyond “ordinary” negligence and qualify as extremely reckless or malicious
- Presenting your case to a jury to persuade them that the liable party’s actions constitute extreme negligence
How Do You Know What Compensation Is Available In Your Case?
Not every kind of damage is available to every accident victim in every situation. The types of compensation you can recover in a personal injury claim will depend on numerous factors specific to you, including:
- How serious your injuries are
- What kinds of injuries you suffered
- How long it takes you to recover from your injuries
- How much money you have spent (and will continue to spend) because of the accident
For example, someone who has already completed medical treatment and will probably not need follow-up care cannot ask for compensation for future care. Someone who suffered a catastrophic injury, by contrast, could potentially recover the estimated cost of all the care they will need over their lifetime.
Proving You Deserve Compensation For Trucking Accident Injuries
Unfortunately, insurance companies rarely pay fair compensation based on the accident victim’s word alone. They are looking for any excuse to reduce your payment. Do not give them the chance: let our personal injury lawyers strengthen your casefile by collecting as much evidence as possible. Important evidence could include:
- Eyewitness testimony
- Photos and video
- Expert statements
- Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reports
- Medical records
Why Should You Seek Compensation For Your Truck Accident?
After a crash, you may want to focus on the future instead of litigating the past. At the same time, you have suffered serious injuries, and you should not have to pay for all of these losses on your own.
Hiring a truck injury lawyer to manage your case gives you the chance to:
- Take legal action without having to handle the matter all by yourself
- Hold the at-fault party accountable for their negligence
- Fight for the compensation and financial stability you need to rebuild
- Concentrate on your recovery while your representative handles daily legal tasks
- Attain justice and peace of mind after a traumatizing experience
- Ask our legal team for advice, updates, and suggestions at any point in your case
Our Jacksonville Attorneys Can Seek Compensation For You
Anidjar & Levine has been fighting for the rights of personal injury and wrongful death victims since 2005. If you or a loved one was injured, let us tell you what compensation is available after a Jacksonville truck accident, and then let us stand up for your rights at no upfront cost. Call today to get started with a free consultation.
