Any vehicle accident can end in injury. However, semi-truck crashes are often catastrophic. People who have been hurt in 18-wheeler accidents could find themselves deep in debt, saddled by hospital bills, and unable to work. The costs of recovery can be immense, stretching into the tens of thousands of dollars. While the trucking company and their insurer might propose a settlement, their offer is unlikely to cover the totality of your losses.
Fighting for a Fair Recovery After a Truck Accident
If you were injured in a Missouri semi-truck accident that was not your fault, you could be entitled to significant compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Depending on the unique circumstances of your crash, you could file a case against:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- A vehicle manufacturer
- A vehicle parts manufacturer
- A cargo shipper or receiver
Your attorney could help you pursue damages from anyone who contributed to your accident and injuries.
The Different Types of Damages in Missouri 18-Wheeler Claims
Before you can enter negotiations with the trucking company’s insurance carrier or take your case to court, you will have to make a full accounting of your damages. In personal injury cases, the word “damages” means any injury or harm you suffered that could be recoverable in court.
Missouri law allows recovery for two different types of damages:
- Economic damages, which are verifiable losses that have an easily determinable monetary value.
- Non-economic damages, which are subjective, non-monetary losses that cannot be calculated using bills, receipts, or invoices.
Examples of Economic and Non-Economic Damages
You could be entitled to economic damages for:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost income
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical rehabilitation
- Long-term care
If you were seriously injured, disabled, or emotionally damaged, you may also be able to claim non-economic damages, which could include:
- Trauma
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Loss of limb or organ
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of enjoyment
The Value of Missouri Truck Accident Claims
Some states have caps on semi-truck crash claims. This means an accident victim may not be able to request damages past a set limit. However, Missouri does not have a limit on the damages that can be awarded in most truck-related accident insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits. So, your attorney can fight for a full legal recovery, demanding that the insurance company pay for costs you have already incurred as well as the costs you are likely to incur in the future.
The Importance of Getting the Right Representation
While you might expect the at-fault truck driver, the truck driver’s employer, or an insurance company to offer a fair settlement, they will likely not negotiate in good faith. This is because most trucking companies have their own legal counsel. Even if they do not, their insurance company almost certainly does. These lawyers usually work hand-in-glove with the transportation industry. They will do everything in their power to devalue your claim or even deny it outright. They could, for instance, say you were partly to blame for the accident.
Since Missouri is a pure comparative negligence state, any mistake you allegedly made could impact the value of your case.
To ensure that your claim is solid, you might have to spend months gathering evidence and building a case before you reach an acceptable settlement or present an argument in court. Hiring the right Missouri truck accident injury attorney could make the difference between endless bad-faith negotiations and a full legal recovery.
Collecting and Analyzing Evidence of Your Damages
We can review your hospital records, review surveillance camera footage of the crash, and subpoena the trucking company’s records.
Interviewing Eyewitnesses
Their testimony could convince the insurance company to negotiate in good faith.
Consulting Experts
These experts can provide guidance on your long-term health care needs and calculate your future medical expenses.
Handling All Communications With the Insurance Company or Court
An attorney can ensure that you do not miss any important deadlines or fall prey to an adjuster’s underhanded tactics.
Serving as Your Advocate
An attorney will be on your side when dealing with the insurance company or standing before a judge and jury.
Have You Been Injured in a Missouri Commercial Truck Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a Missouri truck accident, you should speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Please feel free to contact us online or call our office directly at 314.470.4928 to schedule a free consultation. We help pedestrian accident victims throughout the state of Missouri including Columbia, Springfield, Kansas City, St. Louis, Kirksville, and Cape Girardeau.
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