Trucking lawsuits can help families care for past and future pain and suffering

Family members, partners and caretakers may face the daunting task of caring for loved ones who have been injured in crashes involving commercial trucks. Trucking lawsuits may be a path to financial compensation after an accident. 

Serious injuries can occur in any vehicle crash, but those involving a truck are more likely to be serious and require a lengthy healing process or leave a victim with a disability. More than 100,000 commercial trucks are involved in crashes resulting in injury every year. In those crashes, some 130,000 people are injured.

Loved ones may need to take time away from work to make hospital visits, get their injured loved one to medical appointments, and even be involved with in-home care, helping injured victims get around the house to cook, clean, or do other chores.

While the patient who is recovering from injuries is the primary victim, the patient’s family members are left with a heavy burden as well.

This is one reason that hiring an attorney soon after the accident occurs is important. Almost all trucking wrecks are preventable, with one of the most common causes of crashes being faulty tires or brakes. Trucks weigh as much as 20 or 30 times more than cars and SUVs, so obviously all motorists depend on trucking companies to make sure their vehicles and drivers are safe, and that their brakes and tires are in optimum condition. 

Other common causes of semi-truck accidents include:

• Driver fatigue
• Improper vehicle maintenance
• Distracted driving
• Driver inexperience/lack of training
• Improper loading
• Alcohol or drug use                      
• High speeds
• Violation of trucking laws and regulations
• Adverse weather conditions

If the accident was caused at least in part by the negligence of the driver or the trucking company, there may be a path toward litigation.

Types of damages from truck lawsuits

In some instances, plaintiffs can be compensated for past and future expenses and suffering. 

Strong legal cases may potentially recover large awards. Recovery for a personal injury case takes into account the following categories:

• Total past and future medical expenses
• Loss of wages and loss of future earning potential
• Pain and suffering in the past and future
• Vehicle damage

Potential recovery for a wrongful death case includes medical expenses, funeral costs, mental pain and suffering, loss of companionship, loss of support, loss of future estate, and more.

A truck accident lawsuit can recover damages to compensate victims and families for associated costs and damages.

Pain and suffering compensation

Pain and suffering, including mental health problems. The term refers to the physical injuries sustained by the plaintiff. It encompasses the physical pain and discomfort caused by the accident that they have suffered up until the present, as well as the hurt they will experience in the future. Mental injuries like mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, anxiety, humiliation, and more fall under the pain and suffering umbrella. Mental suffering can include emotional distress, depression, loss of appetite, mood swings, sexual dysfunction, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Compensation received by plaintiffs in commercial truck accident lawsuits is intended not just to reimburse medical costs and vehicle damages, but to help the victim and their families provide ongoing care and comfort needed as a result of the carelessness or negligence of the trucking company and driver.

If you or a loved one were involved in a truck accident and sustained injuries and damages, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. Fill out the form on this page for a free case evaluation.