Types of Damages Available for Texas Truck Accident Victims
In Texas, truck crash victims with an experienced attorney can often negotiate for both economic and non-economic damages, depending on the circumstances of the accident. Economic damages are often easily quantified, but non-economic damages are much harder to win in negotiations.
Economic Damages
- Past and future medical expenses. Collisions with semi-trucks can result in catastrophic injuries that require long-term care and rehabilitation. Your attorney should fight for maximum damages for medical expenses if you were seriously injured in a truck crash.
- Lost income and future earning capacity. Damages may also be awarded for any time you were unable to work and were not paid. If you have suffered a permanent disability that limits your ability to work, you can also be awarded the money you would have earned in the future if you had not been injured in the truck wreck.
- Loss of household services. When a spouse or parent who normally performs routine household duties is injured and becomes unable to perform those duties, these damages may be awarded to support the family while the victim is incapacitated.
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering. While difficult to quantify, many victims of terrifying truck crashes can win damages for pain and suffering. The intent of these damages is to compensate for the pain you have experienced, both physical and emotional, because of the accident.
- Mental anguish. Similar to pain and suffering damages, these damages may be awarded following a particularly gruesome accident, which is not uncommon when a semi-truck is involved.
- Physical impairment. These damages are intended to compensate a victim whose physical impairment following an accident will prevent them from fully enjoying life as he or she did before the accident. It can be seen as a non-economic partner to the loss of future earnings damages.
- Disfigurement. Amputations and permanent scars are not uncommon following a truck crash. These victims may be awarded special damages to compensate for the changes in their physical appearance which may affect their ability to live a normal life.
In some cases, juries may also award exemplary damages. Also known as punitive damages, these are only awarded for crashes caused by wanton or intentional disregard for safety. If it can be proven that a truck driver or trucking company knew of a substantial risk, but drove anyway, they may be ordered to pay exemplary damages. This award can be significant as the intention is to punish the individual or company who caused you harm.
Contact an Experienced Texas Truck Accident Attorney Today
When you call the Button Law Firm immediately after your truck accident in Texas, we will preserve the evidence necessary to investigate the cause of the crash and pursue compensation from the negligent party or parties. Truck black boxes, hours-of-service logs, and the driver’s cell phone can all be examined for evidence of negligence on the part of the driver or trucking company. We will hold those responsible for the crash accountable for their actions.
If you've been injured in an auto accident you should speak to an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. We know how difficult getting through this can be. That’s why our experienced team wants to help guide you – as we have helped guide many of our clients within Midland, Houston, Dallas, and the surrounding areas. You can give us a call at (214) 699-4409 or email us at [email protected]. You can contact us online to schedule a free consultation by filling out the form below or by chatting with a member of our team.