After a serious accident caused by a truck driver’s negligence, an injured person can face unexpected medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other significant losses. If you suffered injuries in a truck crash, you might wonder what your case is worth and what you are entitled to collect as damages.
Damages in Fresno truck accident cases vary depending on factors such as liability for the crash, severity of injuries, and insurance coverage. An experienced Fresno truck accident lawyer can evaluate the accident and pursue all damages you might be entitled to. Schedule a free consultation with the dedicated legal team at Valero Law Group to review your claim and understand your options.
How Do You Prove Liability in a Truck Crash Case?
In Fresno, to collect compensation in a case involving a tractor-trailer wreck, claimants (the injured person or plaintiff) must prove liability. The injured person must show that, if not for the defendant’s negligent act, the crash would not have occurred. To establish negligence, there must be proof that the truck driver breached the duty of care owed to others. The claimant must also demonstrate the causation between the truck driver’s negligence and their injuries. Finally, they need to prove the actual damages caused by the defendant, such as physical injury, financial loss, and pain and suffering. California is a pure comparative negligence state, meaning that an injured person can collect damages even if they shared fault for the accident.
Economic Damages
Damages in a collision claim with an 18-wheeler typically fall under two categories in Fresno: economic and non-economic. State law also allows punitive damages in extreme cases where there is proof of malice or fraud. Generally, economic damages are the financial costs of an accident. Economic damages in these accident claims often include:
- Medical bills
- Costs of future medical treatment related to the accident
- Therapy and rehabilitation expenses
- Lost wages due to the victim’s injuries
- Reductions in future earning capacity due to lasting injuries or disability
- Vehicle damage
- Out-of-pocket costs for travel and other treatment-related expenses
Keeping track of the many expenses involved with an accident is challenging. The lawyers at Valero Law Group know how to evaluate these costs and pursue compensation for all economic damages their clients could be entitled to.
Non-Economic Damages
Victims can seek non-economic damages in Fresno truck wreck claims to cover losses that are not covered as economic damages. Non-economic damages can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Physical impairment
- Harm to reputation
- Reduced enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
Truck accident attorneys with extensive experience in this area can help pursue all non-economic damages you might be entitled to after a crash.
Contact a Fresno Truck Accident Lawyer To Learn More About Damages
If you have been in a truck accident, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries and other losses. Damages in Fresno truck accident cases vary depending on various factors. An attorney with Valero Law Group can help you build your claim and pursue all potential damages under state law. Contact our legal team today to schedule a consultation.