A Fort Worth truck accident victim can pursue a claim for financial compensation against the trucking company and driver who caused the collision. Every accident – and every accident victim – is unique. No two cases are the same. The determination of how much money someone who has been injured in a Fort Worth truck accident will receive depends on a variety of factors, including if they have a good personal injury lawyer skilled at investigating the wreck, developing the case, working with medical professionals, and presenting critical evidence to the judge and jury.
Damages in a personal injury case are broken down into two main types: those that are economic and non-economic.
Economic Damages
Economic damages, also referred to as special damages, can be easily quantified by determining the actual amount of out-of-pocket money an accident victim had to spend or through accurate forecasting. But like with everything in the law, there are exceptions to every rule. For example, if a person is covered by health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, or if they are self-employed or salaried, the calculations can be difficult.
The following are the major types of economic damages:
- Past medical expenses – All reasonable and necessary costs associated with a crash can be recovered. This includes bills related to emergency room treatment, surgeries, doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, medications, and transportation to and from all necessary medical appointments.
- Future medical costs – Accident victims can recover compensation for the medical treatment that they will need in the future. In some cases, expert medical witnesses are necessary to accurately determine the future cost of care, especially surgeries.
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity – When someone is injured in a Fort Worth truck accident, they will often miss a significant amount of work. When they are finally able to return to work, they may no longer be able to perform the necessary duties of their former position due to their injuries or disability. Accident victims can recover for both lost wages and benefits and a decrease in earning capacity.
Given that economic damages rely largely on the medical treatment required as a result of the accident, it is crucial that a Fort Worth truck accident vic go to an emergency room or see a doctor as soon as possible after their accident. While economic damages are a crucial element of any damages award, in many cases, non-economic damages comprise a larger portion of the overall award.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages, or general damages, are less easy to quantify and require a degree of subjectivity. Suffering a serious injury in a Texas truck accident causes more than physical injury. Accident victims also suffer from psychological and emotional damages. Non-economic damages compensate an accident victim for the pain and suffering they endured due to the accident. Non-economic damages also include
- Mental anguish
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
- Loss of companionship
- Reduced quality of life
Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages are subjective and personal. Non-economic damages vary widely and the amount of non-economic damages can depend on how well the accident victim’s story is conveyed to the insurance company and the jury. Therefore, working with an experienced Texas personal injury attorney is crucial to obtaining the full compensation that accident victims need and deserve. This is especially true if (God forbid) there is a fatality involved.
Have You Been Injured in a Fort Worth Trucking Accident?
If you or someone you love has recently been injured in a Fort Worth truck accident, contact us at Berenson Injury Law. We have worked hard to represent Fort Worth truck accident victims and their families for more than 40 years. Bill Berenson is one of the 2% of Texas attorneys certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law and has been certified since 1994. He only handles car, truck, and 18-wheeler crash cases.
To schedule a free consultation with attorney Berenson, call 1-888-801-8585 or email us.