Despite what you might think based on most lawyer advertisements and billboards, it’s difficult to give exact figures for how much a truck accident victim can recover in damages because each victim’s losses and damages are different and will be determined by the facts of the case.

The better question to ask is “what types of damages can I recover?” The answer to this question is that you have the right to sue the at-fault parties for economic (“special”) and non-economic (“general”) damages. Punitive damages could also be on the table in extreme cases, but you should talk to a lawyer to discuss that option.

Economic or Special Damages

Economic damages (also called “special damages”) are an injured party’s compensation for the out-of-pocket expenses related to the injuries that were sustained in the trucking accident. Economic damages may include:

Medical Expenses

As long as you have seen a doctor within the required 14-day window, the medical expenses from emergency room visits, hospitalizations, surgeries, physical therapy, prescription medications, etc. are recoverable damages.

Lost Wages

Fewer working hours means lost wages. Certain injuries can prevent these employees from returning to work while they are recovering. In this case, future lost wages may also be recoverable.

Property Damage

Your vehicle is likely to sustain heavy damage in a truck accident. Items on or in your vehicle can also be damaged, such as laptops, bicycles (on racks), or cell phones.

Funeral Expenses

Funeral expenses may be covered if someone dies as a result of the accident. However, this requires a personal representative to bring a wrongful death lawsuit on the deceased’s behalf.

Non-Economic or General Damages

Non-economic damages are also known as “general damages.” It is a fuzzy category with hard-to-quantify dollar amounts. They often include future harms or injuries that lack specific dollar values.

Loss of Capacity of Earn

A truck accident injury may result in a long-term absence from work or even a permanent inability to work or to return to a current job. Accident victims can be compensated for this loss of future earnings.

Loss of Consortium

Loss of Consortium damages are recoverable when an injured party can no longer provide the same love, affection, companionship, parenting, care, or sexual relationship due to their injuries.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering and emotional stress damages are usually the most highly compensated. A permanent injury of some sort is required to claim pain and suffering damages.

Get Help and Start to Recover

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in South Florida, you need to seek out an experienced Florida truck accident and injury lawyer who will guide you through the claims process.

The personal injury lawyers here at Personal Injury & Accident Law Center would love to speak to you about your case and tell you how we can help you get on the path to recovery. Call us today at (561)372-3800 to schedule a free case evaluation or fill out the confidential form below.