Damages and Compensation for Dallas Truck Accident Injuries
An accident with an 18 wheeler in Dallas Texas can leave you struggling financially, physically, and psychologically. Unfortunately, a Dallas truck accident injury could lead to a mountain of medical bills and other expenses on top of your injury if you do not seek to recover damages.
A truck accident lawyer in Dallas can help you pursue damages and get the compensation that you are entitled to. If you want a lawyer on your side with years of experience in truck accident cases and a client-first mentality, call Carabin Shaw.
Determining Fault After a Truck AccidentAfter an 18 wheeler crash in Dallas, it is important to know how fault will be determined in your accident claim. Fault in truck accident cases is centered around the concept of negligence which, in legal terms, is defined as “the failure to exercise the care toward others which a reasonable or prudent person would do in the same or similar circumstances.”
You must prove that the truck driver, trucking company, or any other person who caused your accident acted negligently in a Dallas truck accident injury claim or lawsuit. To prove negligence, you and your lawyer must prove the following four things:
- The defendant owed you a “duty of care”
- The defendant violated that duty of care with their negligent actions
- The violation of the duty of care caused your accident
- The violation of the duty of care caused the injuries that you are seeking damages for
A duty of care is the obligation that we owe to other people to act in a way that does not intentionally harm others. When that duty of care is breached, that means that you can pursue damages and compensation for Dallas truck accident injuries.
You and your attorney will be able to pursue three different types of damages, which are examined in detail below.
Economic DamagesEconomic damages are damages that have a measurable and calculable value. You can think about economic damages as recovering compensation for any financial expenses you have incurred as a direct result of the accident. When your lawyer reviews your case, they will generally ask for receipts and records to calculate the value of your economic damages.
Economic damages are things like:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Physical therapy
- Lost Earning Potential
- Property Damages
- At-home nursing care
- Modifications to your home as a result of your injuries
Non-economic damages seek to compensate people for the psychological burdens and life changes that can follow an 18 wheeler crash in Dallas. This form of damages and compensation for Dallas truck accident injuries can often outweigh economic damages in scale, making it one of the most important pieces of the claim that you will pursue.
Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- Change in lifestyle
Punitive damages are meant to punish truck drivers and trucking companies who commit severe acts of negligence and recklessly endanger people’s safety in a manner that far exceeds what normal prudent people would do in the same scenario. In Dallas Texas, punitive damages are limited to $200,000 or two times the amount of economic damages plus the amount equal to non-economic damages which cannot exceed $750,000.
Hiring an 18 Wheeler / Semi-Truck Accident LawyerHaving a truck accident lawyer in Dallas review your case is usually free and can help you understand your options in pursuing a claim. Consult an attorney with years of experience and expertise in truck accident law.
The team at Carabin Shaw has been serving their clients for 28 years and can review your case for free at a no-cost initial consultation. Call 1-800-862-1260 to schedule your free case review today.