(845) 818-0668When you are involved in a collision with a commercial tractor-trailer, the expertise of a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer is invaluable. Semi-trucks, being some of the largest vehicles on the road, often result in serious and life-altering injuries.
After an 18-wheeler wreck, you will likely need time off work to recover, and the cost of medical care can add up quickly. If the trucker or their employer acted negligently, you could recover damages based on your sustained harm. Our experienced personal injury attorneys will advocate on your behalf and protect your rights.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks frequently travel on New York’s busy highways transporting goods throughout the area. However, the prevalence of large trucks on the road increases the chance of a serious truck accident. Many truck accidents are preventable if truckers and other motorists take basic precautions. However, a trucker’s negligent conduct can put other drivers in harm’s way. Some common causes of truck accidents include:
- Fatigue
- Traffic violations
- Equipment failure
- Texting while driving
- Inadequate maintenance
- Inexperienced truck drivers
- Driving under the influence
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Overloaded/overweight cargo
- Poor road conditions or inclement weather
No matter what caused the truck accident, a semi-truck accident lawyer could work with an injured person to build a comprehensive case for negligence against the trucker and their employer, ensuring that all aspects of the incident are thoroughly examined.
Recoverable Compensation After a Truck Accident
While no amount of money can reverse the physical and emotional pain of something like a truck accident, compensation can help people who have been hurt to move forward with their lives. Those injured by a trucker’s negligence can recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are intended to compensate people for their financial losses related to the accident, while non-economic damages account for intangible harm that is more subjective and not as easily quantifiable.
Economic Damages
Economic losses refer to an injured motorist’s measurable, monetary losses related to their injuries. It might include:
- Lost income
- Medical bills
- Reduced earning capacity
- Long-term healthcare expenses
- Funeral and burial expenses (in wrongful death cases)
- Cost of mediation, physical therapy, and other treatment
Courts look to medical bills and other documentation to estimate the value of someone’s economic losses in a personal injury case.
Non-economic Damages
On the other hand, non-economic damages refer to losses that are not as easily quantifiable. These losses are more subjective and vary based on the circumstances of each case. It could include compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
In addition, punitive damages are available in cases where the trucker or their employer’s negligence was particularly egregious. However, this is rare. A truck accident attorney could work with a person to determine their damages and advocate for compensation that considers the claim’s full value.
Speak With a Truck Accident Attorney To Pursue Compensation for Your Injuries Today
When you or a loved one were hurt in a truck accident, you likely sustained significant losses. You might be wondering what your options for financial recovery are and what types of compensation you can pursue. Every truck accident case involves unique factors that can impact liability and damages.
When you hire a truck accident lawyer from our firm, they could advise you of your legal rights throughout the process and help estimate damages based on the circumstances of your case. We offer consultations at no cost to you. Call today to schedule an appointment with one of our diligent lawyers.