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The Financial Impact of a Semi-Truck Accident

Semi-truck accidents are on the rise in the US. It has become a nationwide problem. Around 500,000 accidents occur in the US every year. This accounts for 6.5% of all accidents. About 6,000 people die due to semi-truck accidents every year. This is a number that scares everyone.

A more shocking fact is that 74% of victims are drivers of other vehicles. It means that truck drivers are safe, but you are not. You don’t have to wait for the government to take action. Semi-truck accident victims can help control accidents simply by filing a personal injury claim.

Making negligent drivers and trucking companies understand that negligence will not go unpunished is the best way to control truck accidents. Visit reputed law websites like www.personalinjurybakersfield.com to learn how personal injury law can help victims and build an accident-free society.

Economic Impact of Semi-truck Accidents

A truck accident can hurt a person in many ways. Victims of truck accidents will sustain both economic and non-economic losses. The victim can recover both kinds of losses by filing a personal injury claim. Following are the financial losses a victim will sustain:

  • Medical Bills
  • Property Repair Cost
  • Lost Wages
  • Loss of Earning Capacity
  • Burial Expenses in the Case of Death

Medical Bills

Medical bills are the most common form of financial loss that almost all victims sustain, regardless of the type of accident. Semi-truck accidents are bound to cause serious damage to the victim.

So getting medical treatment following the accident is a must for the victim. We all know how expensive healthcare is in the US. The victim will accumulate a lot of bills to treat their injuries.

Property Repair Cost

When you think about it, a truck is much larger than an average car. An average semi-truck weighs around 80,000 pounds. Now imagine a semi-truck colliding with a car.

It would crush the car.

The victim must repair their car. This repair expense is another common loss that truck accident victims sustain.

Lost Wages

In many cases, the accident will cause serious injuries that will prevent you from going to work. Your doctor may advise you to take time off work and rest.

It is obvious that you will lose money on the days you don’t go to work. This loss is known as lost wages. This type of loss can be calculated by multiplying your daily wage by the number of days you miss work.

Loss of Earning Capacity

Sometimes, a truck accident can completely cripple you. It may cause a permanent disability, which may diminish your ability to earn. If you are the sole breadwinner in your family, this may lead to a huge financial loss.

You may claim compensation for the amount you would have earned if you weren’t disabled. However, you will need the help of experienced personal injury lawyers to accurately calculate your losses.

Burial Expenses in the Case of Death

Deaths are a high possibility in truck accidents. As said, trucks are huge, and they can completely crush the other vehicle. If your loved one passed away in a truck accident, you can claim compensation for the burial expenses you incurred.

A funeral is a pretty expensive event. The liable party should pay the expenses, as they were the sole reason for the death of the victim.

Wrapping Up

A truck accident can cause many types of losses to the victim and their family. Fighting the negligent party is the best thing you can do following a truck accident. Filing a claim not only allows you to recover from the losses but also enables you to hold the negligent party accountable for their actions. If you are a victim, speak with a lawyer. They can help you claim both economic and non-economic losses.

Jeff Campbell