Orlando Truck Accident Attorney Resources
If you have recently been injured in a trucking accident, you may be wondering what kind of settlement you can expect. Several things go into determining what a truck accident case is worth, which is why your settlement may vary greatly from that of another client’s.
Categories of Damage on Truck Accident Cases
Juries may award actual damages in four different categories:
• Incurred medical expenses
• Future medical expenses
• Lost wages (present)
• Lost wages (future)
To accurately assess what a truck accident case is worth, you should understand what each basic category covers. Incurred medical expenses are those you have already experienced, and can include the cost of hospitalization, surgery, doctor visits, medical devices and physical therapy, to name a few. Future medical expenses are intended to compensate you for medical care that might be needed in the future. Lost wages are earnings you have already suffered , while a loss of future wages can include not only any anticipated income loss, but a future reduction in wages because you are unable to perform the same type of work.
Age and Income is a Factor
When determining future damages, your age will play a role in the amount of compensation you can expect. This is because you will require medical care for a longer period, and also stand to lose more income over a lifetime the younger you are. As such, if you are close to retirement age, your settlement is likely to be smaller. If you were making low wages at the time of your accident, you can also expect a smaller settlement than someone who was making six figures with the same type of injury would, regardless of your age.
Non-Economic Damages in a Truck Accident Case
You may also be awarded money for physical or emotional pain and suffering in addition to the other damages. Damages for pain and suffering are not awarded in every case, as there are a number of factors that determine eligibility. The biggest is the degree of negligence on the part of the trucking company, as these damages tend to be used as a deterrent in order to prevent similar instances from happening in the future.
The jurisdiction where your case is being tried will affect the amount of damages you receive for pain and suffering as well. Some areas have caps on the amount of non-economic damages that may be awarded, while others do not. In addition, the amount awarded in similar cases in the same jurisdiction will also have a bearing on the final number.
Truck Accidents Differ from Auto Accidents
Although the basic categories of damage are the same, truck accident settlements nonetheless differ greatly from those involving automobile accidents. One reason is that trucking accidents tend to result in greater damage physically, mentally and emotionally. Another is because multiple parties can be named, including the trucking company, insurance carrier and driver. For a detailed explanation of how these types of cases differ, read our article Florida semi-truck accident claims present challenges.
When it comes to determining what a truck accident case is worth, there are a number of things that go into calculating a final settlement. Your case is different from anyone else’s, which is why you should seek advice from a reputable truck accident attorney as soon as possible. To find out more, please contact our office by filling out our free case evaluation form, or give us a call at 800.360.7015. There is never a fee or obligation to discuss the circumstances of your case.
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