Truck accidents are some of the most devastating incidents on our roads today. The results of such an accident are usually very disastrous and can cause life-altering injuries and significant property damage.
According to Forbes, 2021 alone saw a total of over 500,000 large truck accidents in the US. Most of these accidents resulted in severe property damage as well as injuries. Some of them even led to several casualties. For victims of such truck accidents, seeking compensation is not just an option. Rather it’s a necessity. As to why that’s the case, we’ll attempt to uncover it in this article.
Here’s why you must pursue compensation if you’re ever involved in a truck accident.
Severe Injuries and Medical Bills
In most cases, truck accidents result in severe injuries. Some of these injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and severe burns.
The medical bills associated with treating such truck injuries can be astronomical. Finance Monthly reports that the average cost of a truck accident where someone is injured is around $150,000.
Seeking compensation is crucial to cover these expenses. It ensures that the victims receive the necessary medical care and rehabilitation to recover from the injuries and trauma.
Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity
After a truck accident, victims may face extended recovery times and, in some cases, permanent disabilities that limit their ability to work. The loss of income can be financially crippling, causing stress and anxiety.
Compensation helps replace lost wages, and it can also account for the reduction in earning capacity that might result from long-term injuries. This financial support is essential for maintaining the victim’s quality of life and financial stability.
Pain and Suffering
Truck accident injuries can lead to a lot of pain and suffering. For serious injuries, you’re likely going to have to pay a large amount of money in medical bills.
TorHoerman Law reports that the average cost of large truck crashes is around $91,000 per crash. In case of a fatality, the cost can climb upwards of $3 million per crash.
A lot of this money goes towards the victims of the accident. However, as a victim, you must seek compensation properly if you’re looking to receive some of that money.
Of course, the accident doesn’t necessarily have to give you physical pain for you to seek compensation. The suffering you have to deal with can be mental or emotional too.
For instance, Audacy recently reported a truck accident in St. Louis. The truck had hit a school bus carrying elementary school students. No one was injured, but the kids inside might have been traumatized. This, in turn, might require them to seek therapy or counseling, which, without a doubt, can get costly.
Hence, it won’t be a surprise if the parents of these kids get in touch with a St. Louis trucking accident lawyer. The goal would be to file a lawsuit against the trucking company responsible for the truck and the accident and seek compensation from them.
Property Damage
In a collision with a large truck, your vehicle is likely to sustain significant damage, if not total destruction. The cost of repairing or replacing that vehicle can be substantial.
According to NBC News, the cost of owning a car in the US is continuing to rise. Buying a brand-new car will easily set you back at least $30,000. What’s more astonishing is that even used cars are selling at crazy-high prices. Under such circumstances, the last thing you’d want is to get caught up in an accident and having to repair or replace your vehicle.
Seeking compensation allows you to recover the expenses associated with repairing or replacing your vehicle. That way, you don’t have to worry about paying for the repairs or the new car with money out of your own pocket.
Access to Adequate Insurance Coverage
Truck accidents typically involve multiple parties, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and potentially other third parties responsible for maintenance or loading. Commercial trucking companies are required to carry substantial insurance coverage to protect against the significant risks associated with their operations.
With the compensation you receive, you can tap into these insurance policies to secure the financial resources needed to cover your losses fully. You can then use the money you receive from the insurance coverage for your treatment or vehicle repairs.
Conclusion
Truck accidents are life-altering events, and they can lead to injuries, financial hardships, and significant suffering for the victims. Seeking compensation after a truck accident is not just a matter of financial recovery. It’s a means of ensuring justice, accountability, and improved safety standards within the trucking industry.
