Unlike passenger cars, commercial vehicles, like trucks, are huge and heavy. Due to their very nature, an accident involving these vehicles can be tragic. It can result in fatal injuries and other significant consequences. For instance, if you’ve suffered a severe injury in a commercial vehicle accident and become disabled, your whole life may change forever. This is one reason why seeking compensation through legal action makes a lot of sense.
However, getting compensated for the damages you’ve incurred as a result of the accident can be a tough process. You need to consider ways to obtain a positive outcome in your favor.
So, if you’ve been injured, here’s how you can recover damages from a commercial vehicle collision.
Know The Different Types Of Damages
Primarily, damages refer to the specific amount of compensation you can get due to the losses you’ve sustained because of the vehicular accident. Hence, if you’re injured, you may be entitled to different types of damages, depending on the extent, severity, and impact of your injury.
But, since most commercial vehicle collisions are catastrophic, most injured individuals can get more damages against the responsible party/parties. Familiarizing the different types of damages will help you determine which legal remedies you should employ to maximize your financial recovery.
Typically, the different types of damages may include:
- Medical expenses: When you’re injured, you need your injury to be treated immediately to avoid further health complications. However, doing so requires spending a considerable amount of money to pay for your medical care. Don`t forget to include medical expenses in the damages you receive.
- Lost wages and ability to earn: When your injury forces you to stop working and making money for your family, you may also have the right to get compensated for these losses to help you and your family cope financially.
- Pain and suffering: This type of damage can be hard to determine because it’s usually based on the emotional and mental impact of the accident on your life. For instance, if you’re dealing with anxiety or depression while recovering or unable to enjoy life to the fullest, then pain and suffering should also be included in your compensation.
Obtain Evidence
In most commercial vehicle accident claims, evidence is required to prove the other party’s liability or parties involved before recovering damages. In short, you need to show proof that someone else’s negligence has caused your injury and other significant losses. To make sure you can successfully obtain damages or compensation, you need to collect evidence with the help of truck accident lawyers in Orange County or wherever you may be to support your claim of negligence.
Also, with more evidence presented in an injury trial, you can seek the right amount of compensation you’re entitled to. The list of evidence you should gather can include the following:
- Medical records;
- Police reports;
- Photographs of the accident scene, including the injuries and property damage involved;
- Witness testimonies;
- CCTV footage, if available, and other similar documentation.
File Your Case In Court Before Time Runs Out
If you’re filing a personal injury case in court to get damages from a truck accident, make sure to do it before the time limit required by law runs out. This deadline is usually called the statute of limitations.
Essentially, a statute of limitations refers to a law that prescribes how long an individual should file a lawsuit in court. If you fail to bring the legal action before the time runs out, you lose your right to sue the other party or parties who wronged you. Consequently, you can no longer get compensated for the damages you deserve.
Moreover, you should know that the time of filing allowed under a statute of limitations generally vary depending on the state you live in. So, it’s best to seek legal assistance from a trustworthy lawyer to know the applicable deadline in your area. They can guide you through the entire legal process by ensuring your claim is filed on time, giving you a higher chance of getting remuneration for your accident injury.
Bottom Line
Being involved in a collision with a commercial vehicle can be devastating. With all the consequences involved, you’ll realize how real the threat of this road accident is. Apart from dealing with your injury or emotional trauma, you also have to act or move quickly to protect your rights and receive the compensation you need.
But, if you want to ensure a more favorable result for your case, keep the information mentioned above in mind. The more you know how to obtain remuneration for your injury, the more you can get the most out of your physical and financial recovery.