When it comes to car accidents, South Carolina operates under a traditional at-fault system. That means that damages in Orangeburg truck accident cases get paid out by the liable party’s insurance company, often the company that covers the truck driver who caused the accident. However, correctly calculating those damages can prove more difficult than many people anticipate, as can convincing the insurance company to cover those damages. Working with an experienced truck accident attorney could streamline the claim process.
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses often represent the top damages in Orangeburg truck accident cases. Truck accidents often involve severe injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, multiple broken bones, and even amputations. As part of a truck accident claim, the injured person has the right to claim compensation for those losses.
Medical costs may include:
- Hospitalization
- Psychological therapy
- Emergency medical care
- Surgeries and procedures
- Ambulance transportation
- Durable medical equipment
- Physical or occupational therapy
In addition to the considerable medical bills that may arrive after an accident, the injured person should take into account the co-pay and deductible amounts they may have to pay at the time treatment is provided.
If the truck accident led to severe injuries, including permanent or life-altering injuries that will likely require ongoing care, the injured person can also include compensation for the medical expenses they anticipate in the future. That can include future medical procedures they will likely need, the cost of ongoing care or personal care services, and the cost of durable medical equipment.
Income Losses
Truck accidents can have an unexpected impact on many people’s income. Many people struggle to get back to work immediately after the accident. Obviously, they cannot work while in the hospital or during the direct recovery period, before a doctor clears them to return to work. Furthermore, many employers have safety policies around when an employee can get back to the job, especially if they work with heavy equipment or have dangerous job responsibilities.
Even once the injured person goes back to work, they can end up losing further income due to decreased job responsibilities or opportunities, or missed time at work due to follow-up appointments or therapy requirements.
When a truck accident causes debilitating injuries that will prevent the injured person from ever returning to their former position, they have the right to include compensation for their lost earning potential in the claim.
Suffering
As part of the damages in truck accident cases in Orangeburg, the injured person should include compensation for their suffering. While this may not have a direct financial element, it can nevertheless have a heavy impact on the injured person’s life. A lawyer could help the injured person consider how their injuries have impacted them emotionally and socially, including lost enjoyment of life, lost independence, or changed relationships.
Calculate the Damages in Orangeburg Truck Accident Cases With Help from an Attorney
The damages in Orangeburg truck accident cases can rise unexpectedly, especially if you suffered severe injuries that will have a long-term impact on your physical capability and your quality of life.
At Whetstone Perkins & Fulda, we help our clients understand all the damages they can include as part of a truck accident claim and calculate their value so that they can understand the compensation they really deserve. Contact us to learn more about how we identify the damages in your unique truck accident case and how we can help you fight for them in your claim.
