Truck accidents can be devastating. Large semi-trucks can weigh tens of thousands of pounds and carry dangerous and volatile cargo. Collisions between these vehicles and smaller passenger cars can result in catastrophic damages.
If you are pursuing a legal claim following a Mississippi truck accident, you may wonder how much compensation you can expect to receive. There are many factors that could influence the value of your potential settlement, so it is important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Damages Available in Mississippi Truck Accident Claims
In a truck accident case, there are two types of compensation that you can claim: economic damages, or your financial losses, and non-economic damages, or your physical and emotional pain and suffering.
Common types of damages available in Mississippi truck accident claims include the following.
- Past and future medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Chronic pain
- Permanent disability
- Loss of quality of life
- Depression and anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Factors That Influence the Value of Your Truck Accident Case
A truck accident settlement relies on the individual losses that you experienced. As a result, it can be difficult to estimate how much compensation you could receive until you speak with an attorney. However, there are multiple factors that could influence the value of your claim.
Filing an Insurance Claim versus Lawsuit
Trucking companies often have insurance policies that cover their losses if a driver causes a collision. As a truck accident victim, you have the right to pursue compensation through an insurance claim or a lawsuit filed in civil court.
If you pursue an insurance claim, you can only claim compensation up to the insurance policy limits. As a result, insurance settlements are typically smaller than a verdict issued in a lawsuit. If you pursue a lawsuit, you can claim compensation beyond these policy limits.
The Severity of Your Injuries
The more severe your injuries, the higher your potential settlement will likely be. People with serious injuries require extensive medical care and may lead long-term support for lasting complications. These victims may also spend more time away from work. These factors can increase the claim value.
Injury severity may also play a role in calculating pain and suffering. Some insurance companies assign a number between one and five based, which is multiplied by the value of the economic damages to calculate non-economic losses. Severe injuries will result in a higher multiplier.
The Length of Your Recovery Time
People who need to spend a long time recovering from their injuries and receive follow-up treatment will likely see higher settlements than those who can return to work right away. Not only will they see a higher lost wages portion of the award, but some companies also use recovery time as a factor in calculating pain and suffering. Lengthier recovery times will likely result in a higher settlement.
Contact a Gulfport Truck Accident Attorney
If you are injured in a Mississippi truck accident, it can be difficult to calculate the full extent of your injuries and losses. In these situations, it is important to consult with a lawyer who has experience handling complex truck accident cases.
Your attorney can evaluate your case, accurately calculate your potential settlement, and advocate aggressively for your maximum recovery. Contact a Gulfport truck accident lawyer as soon as possible following your accident to discuss your next steps.