Any car crash can result in significant injuries. The speed of the vehicles, whether occupants wear restraints and even the angle of approach prior to the crash can all influence the type of injuries people incur and the severity of the overall collision.
A semi-truck has the potential to cause some of the most catastrophic collisions possible. Semi-trucks can jackknife and block multiple lanes of traffic. They can cause underride and override collisions in incidents involving smaller vehicles.
While semi-trucks may be efficient ways to transport commercial goods, they are quite risky for everyone else in traffic. When a semi-truck causes a crash, the people in the smaller vehicle are likely to suffer injuries and have major property damage losses. What can people expect to recover by making a compensation claim after a crash caused by a semi-truck operator?
Economic damages
When people think about the losses associated with a collision, economic losses are often their focus. Crashes cause a variety of damages that have set values. Commercial transportation insurance coverage or a lawsuit could help the affected parties recoup those losses. Someone may be able to recover the cost of repairing a damaged vehicle or replacing a vehicle that is no longer safe to drive. They could also request compensation for medical expenses. Lost wages and reduced earning potential are also economic damages that people can recover after a crash with a semi-truck in Texas.
Non-economic damages
The impact of a crash goes beyond physical injury and property damage. It can affect someone’s standard of living and their mental health. People can pursue compensation for certain types of non-economic damages, especially if they file a lawsuit. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering claims, mental anguish, loss of consortium, loss of companionship, disfigurement, inconvenience and loss of enjoyment of life. Non-economic losses can contribute to the total value of a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. In certain specific situations, exemplary or punitive damages could also be available.
Understanding what losses people can potentially recover may benefit those adjusting to life after a semi-truck collision. Those who pursue compensation against at-fault parties can minimize the long-term impact a crash has on their lives and their families.