Being involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler can leave you with devastating injuries that will impact you and your family for the rest of your life. Common examples of catastrophic injuries that occur include traumatic brain injuries, loss of limbs and spinal cord damage (to name a few).
After an accident, your top priority is recovery. However, chances are you are also concerned about how you will pay for the medical treatment and losses that you have suffered. The good news is that Texas law allows you to file a lawsuit to recover several types of damages after an 18-wheeler accident.
Economic damages
In Texas, if you are injured in an 18-wheeler accident that was caused by someone else’s wrongdoing or negligence, you can file a lawsuit to receive economic damages. Economic damages include the tangible losses you experience, such as:
- Accident-related medical costs
- Lost wages from being unable to work
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage to your vehicle and other possessions
To make sure you get the economic damages you deserve, it’s important to maintain receipts and records of what the accident has cost you. This will be used when determining a compensation amount.
Non-economic damages
In many 18-wheeler accidents, non-economic damages are also available. These are more subjective damages that are determined by factors such as the type of injury you sustained and its severity. One of the most common non-economic damages that are awarded is for pain and suffering.
Protect your legal rights after an 18-wheeler accident
After an 18-wheeler accident, you have rights. One right is to ask for compensation for the damages you have experienced because of the accident. Learning more about your legal options can help.