How Much is My Truck Accident Claim Worth?

Truck accidents often result in serious injuries. If the crash was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. Very often, when injured people meet with their attorneys, they want to know how much they will be able to recover. This is not surprising. Medical bills can begin to pile up quickly and no one wants to lose out on wages. However, many people believe they will get millions of dollars based on stories they heard or cases they saw on TV. While some claims can result in sizeable payouts, your Maryland tractor trailer accident attorney won’t able to give you a figure immediately. Most personal injury claims are negotiated outside the courtroom, not decided by a jury. The settlement may be less than you anticipated since you can only be compensated for the losses you actually suffered. If you suffered a broken arm, you won’t get as much as someone who was left paralyzed by a spinal injury. Minor damages result in minimal compensation. The skills and experience of your attorney will play a major role in your truck accident case. However, you need to be realistic. If you have proof that you suffered significant losses, you’ll have a strong case. If you assume you’ll be in for a big payday after your truck accident, you may be disappointed. Compensation after an accident is intended to make you whole again as much as possible.

Factors That Influence the Amount of Compensation You Can Get

Several things affect the amount of money you can seek. Every truck accident case is different so you shouldn’t assume you’ll get the same amount as another person did. One of the key things your Maryland truck accident attorney will look at is the extent of your injuries. Medical expenses are likely to make up the bulk of your claim. Some injuries are more likely to result in significant compensation. These include:
  • Head trauma and brain damage
  • Spinal cord damage and other serious back injuries
  • Bone fractures
  • Herniated discs
  • Paralysis
These types of injuries can be easily proven. There are other health issues that are less obvious  but which can still have a significant impact on your life. These may attract lower levels of compensation. They include:
  • Vision problems
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Problems with movement
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Whiplash
In addition to assessing your current medical needs, your lawyer will work to quantify your other losses. Some of the things they will look at include:
  • How much time you had to miss from work
  • Whether you can return to the same job and earn the same money
  • Whether you will need multiple surgeries or ongoing treatment
  • Whether you suffered damage to your car or other property
Your attorney will also consider whether you’re pursuing an individual or business for compensation. Individuals don’t usually have the insurance coverage or financial resources that a large business would. Even if your injuries are significant, you may simply not be able to get what your claim is really worth. This is worth keeping in mind when you seek compensation.

How You Can Prove Your Losses

Since your medical bills will likely represent your most significant expense, you need to ensure your injuries are well documented. It’s important that you go to the doctor immediately after the crash and follow your doctor’s advice closely. Hang on to prescriptions, invoices, test results, and any other documents you receive. You should also keep all correspondence from the insurance company, photos of the accident scene and other evidence. All this will help your attorney to build their case. To prove that you’re losing income, you may want to present your last payslip and evidence that you can’t work. Your attorney will assist you with this and may even be able to call on expert witnesses. However, if you take the right steps, you can make their job a lot easier.

Contact a Maryland Tractor Trailer Accident Attorney at Pinder Plotkin Today!

We’re a team of experienced attorneys who can help you to get the compensation you deserve. We’ll explain all the factors that affect how much your case is worth and help you to get fair compensation. It takes time to build a strong case so you could contact us as soon as possible after your crash. Having the right tractor trailer injury law firm in Maryland can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. We are equally competent at negotiating a settlement out of court and fighting for our clients during a trial. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you get justice.
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