Accidents are never easy, but crashes that involve 18-wheelers, big rigs, and other commercial trucks are some of the most destructive accidents that can occur. Truck accidents often leave victims wondering, “What are my rights?” “Can I sue the truck driver or the trucking company?” and if I can, “How do I file a truck accident claim?”
If you’ve been the victim of a rear-end, rollover, or driver fatigue commercial truck accident, it’s essential to stay calm and remember that if you’re not at-fault, you cannot be held liable for damages in the accident and have every right to pursue compensation for your damages. The experienced truck crash lawyers at Combs Waterkotte
What Do I Need to File a Truck Accident Claim?
No two truck accident claims are alike. Based on what type of accident occurred, the damage sustained, and who was at fault in the accident, the amount of damages you could be entitled to claim can vary greatly. After a massive truck accident, it can be difficult to know how you should go about collecting evidence, if you should seek medical attention, and whether you should file a police report.
Hiring a truck accident lawyer in St. Louis gives you answers to your questions and makes sure that your case has all of the elements required to win the most for your claim. Your lawyer will get copies of your medical report from before and after the accident, the truck driver’s insurance and employer information, help you catalogue your injuries and the account of the accident with a police report, take personal photos/videos of your injuries, and record witness accounts of the accident. The more evidence and documentation there is for your truck accident lawyer in St. Louis to work with when building your case, the better the chances of recovering the maximum damages for your case.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Truck Accident?
Commercial truck drivers are required by law to carry general liability insurance. This covers all bodily injury, property, and personal injury expenses related to an accident caused by the insured driver. If you’re involved in an accident that was a truck driver’s fault, or caused by the negligence of their employer or the truck’s manufacturer, you will be able to recover the maximum amount for your damages.
Typically, with a compelling truck accident claim, truck accident victims can expect to recover the following types of compensation, though the amount will vary from case to case:
- Medical bills – any fees associated with doctor visits, medication, required equipment such as crutches or wheelchairs, and other medical bills and costs (such as hospital fees or ambulance costs) caused by the truck driver’s negligence
- Pain and suffering – physical therapy, therapy/psychiatry services, and other emotional/mental distress damages that were a direct result of your crash
- Lost wages – if you’ve missed work, lost your job, have had to move to a different position due to being unable to perform tasks, or have experienced other types of lost income because of the truck accident, you could be reimbursed for lost wages or earning potential.
- Property damages – damage to your vehicle or personal property during the crash, as well as any money spent to repair the damage or replace damaged goods, can be recovered with a truck accident claim
While most truck accident cases can expect to receive some portion of said damages, the amount that your truck accident case is fully worth depends upon many factors. Some of the most common factors include how long you took to file a claim, whether the other party is solely at fault, the number and scope of damages present, and whether a truck accident lawyer in St. Louis is representing your case.
Truck Accident Lawyers in St. Louis
If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of a truck accident, and you want to file a truck accident claim against the negligent CDL driver or the trucking company responsible, you need a truck accident lawyer in St. Louis that can get you the results you deserve for your case.
The experienced St. Louis truck accident lawyers at Combs Waterkotte are here to give your truck accident case the legal muscle you want with the personal attention you deserve. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a no-strings-attached consultation. We don’t charge any fees for our consultations, and we never ask for attorney fees unless we win compensation for your claim.
