The aftermath of a truck accident can prove incredibly costly. You can end up with high medical expenses, a lot of time out of work, and significant personal losses related to your truck accident injuries. While Baton Rouge truck accident settlements cannot restore your lost health, they can provide you with much-needed financial compensation that can make it easier to manage the challenges you may face because of the truck driver’s negligence. Working with a skilled truck accident lawyer provides you with essential information about what a settlement should cover and how to calculate your damages.
Compensation as Part of Truck Accident Settlements
Truck accident settlements compensate for the losses from a Baton Rouge accident. While a lawyer cannot guarantee the compensation their clients will recover, they can offer deeper insight into how to calculate those damages effectively.
Medical Costs
Due to the large size of commercial vehicles, truck accidents frequently result in significant injuries, which often means high medical bills. As part of a semi-truck accident settlement, injured individuals can ask for compensation for all medical expenses, including the cost of:
- Emergency medical care, including ambulance transport if needed
- Hospitalization and the cost of any procedures or surgeries
- Ongoing medical costs, including follow-up care
- Durable medical equipment needed to improve mobility and quality of life
- Therapy, including physical and occupational therapy
- Necessary home modifications
By keeping track of medical costs as they occur, many truck accident victims find they can better calculate the cost of those treatments when the time comes to put together a truck accident claim.
Wage Losses
Many people find themselves out of work for weeks or months following truck accident injuries. Settlements should include compensation for wage losses, including the inability to return to work full-time after the accident. In addition, truck accident victims can claim compensation for lost earning potential if they cannot return to their previous jobs after the accident.
Pain and Suffering
Most truck accident settlements will also include compensation for pain and suffering. This category, known as non-economic or general damages, covers all the elements of loss or suffering that do not have a direct financial correlation.
In many instances, other compensation could apply, such as reimbursement for property damage and emotional trauma. Our team could help you understand more about the damages you may be eligible for during a consultation.
When to File a Truck Accident Claim
To recover compensation for damages sustained in a truck accident, Baton Rouge victims must file a legal claim before the statute of limitations expires. In Louisiana, this period is relatively short—victims generally have only two years from the date of the accident to initiate legal action. Failing to file within this time frame typically means forfeiting the right to pursue compensation, regardless of the severity of the injuries or the clarity of fault.
It’s crucial to note that the two-year statute of limitations applies to personal injury claims stemming from truck accidents. However, if the accident resulted in a fatality and the family wishes to file a wrongful death claim, a one-year period applies, beginning from the date of the victim’s death rather than the date of the accident. Although two years may seem like plenty of time, initiating your claim promptly after the accident can significantly impact the success of your case.
Discuss Truck Accident Settlements With a Baton Rouge Attorney
Baton Rouge truck accident settlements offer much-needed compensation for the damages sustained in a wreck. You want to maximize your settlement as much as possible to ensure coverage for the many expenses that can follow a serious accident.
At Tomeny | Best, we understand the many challenges that can accompany the aftermath of a truck accident, including the difficulty that can arise in dealing with the insurance company. Contact us today for a free consultation that will help you understand your rights and your next steps after a truck wreck.
