Types of Damages You May Claim After a Truck Accident

Truck accidents happen all the time. Tractor-trailers are great helpers when it comes to transporting products across states. Georgia is no exception – it sees many trucks on the road, which increases the likelihood of accidents.

In fact, over the last few years, Georgia had thousands of truck accidents, with a few hundred accidents being fatal. Some of them took place in Augusta, making victims seek an Augusta truck accident attorney.

If you are involved in a truck accident and suffered any damage, you will naturally want to claim compensation. But what types of damages will you be able to claim? Read this post and find out.

1. Wrongful Death Damages

In tragic situations, people might lose a loved one in a truck accident. If you are experiencing this, then you should know that you can collect wrongful death damages. You have the right to claim their pre-death medical expenses, but also claim loss of income or other financial benefits, loss of companionship and guidance, and expenses for burial and funeral.

2. Lost Income

When you are involved in a truck accident, there are high chances that you will be injured, and you will require some time away from work to recover. But this may end up with you losing your income during your recovery.

Luckily, you will be able to claim compensation for lost income. On top of that, if you cannot return to work, you can also claim compensation for lost benefits or lost earning capacity.

3. Medical Costs

Since you get injured during a truck accident, you will need medical care, which does not come cheap. After spending large sums on your treatment, you will be able to claim compensation for medical expenses related to the injury.

These costs include hospital bills, medical equipment, home care, prescription medication, ongoing rehabilitation, as well as vehicle or home modifications needed to allow you to accommodate your permanent limitations.

4. Suffering and Pain

Damages from truck accidents do not include only physical and economic ones. You may also deal with other types of pain and suffering, such as:

Depression

Anxiety
Disfigurement
Psychological trauma

Mental anguish
Loss of life enjoyment
Sexual dysfunction

Unfortunately, compared to other damages, you will not always have invoices or receipts for these. At the same time, you can use other details to demonstrate the extent of your suffering and pain. For instance, statements from colleagues, friends, or family can help you out in this regard. Psychological evaluations and medical records will help you too.

5. Calculable Damages

Depending on your situation, you may have to spend money on things like help for meal preparation, housekeeping, or child care after the accident. This only adds to the overall cost you will have to deal with for the damages caused.

Fortunately, your personal injury claim can also include these costs. In fact, you will likely recover the money lost on these things if the services are necessary in your case.

6. Property Damage

Truck accidents may be pretty destructive, so your vehicle and different belongings may end up being damaged during the incident. When someone else is responsible for the accident, you will be able to claim compensation for destroyed and/or damaged property.

Not only will this help pay for potential reparations but may also allow you to purchase new belongings if the old ones are damaged beyond repair.

7. Loss of Consortium

Perhaps the truck accident, as well as the injuries and negative situations that came out of it, affected your relationship with your significant other. When this is the case, you may be able to claim compensation for loss of consortium.

8. Punitive Damages

Sometimes, a situation may warrant a punitive award. This occurs when the liable party acts in a certain way out of malice, ill will, or negligence. In such cases, a punitive damages analysis will be performed under the statutory law – as a result, you can seek punitive damages.

The Bottom Line

It is essential to claim compensation after a truck accident if you want to recover some of the money you lost. If you are successful with your claim, you can cover the medical bills and other losses, such as loss of income or property.

To be able to claim compensation and get the right amounts of money for the suffering you endured, you should consider hiring a lawyer. Your attorney will tell you what your rights are and will guide you during the process.