Road accidents involving 18-wheeler trucks typically result in major devastation. The extreme weight and size of these vehicles make them incredibly hazardous to others sharing the road. Sadly, with so many of these trucks out on the streets every day, the number of accidents involving 18-wheelers is significant.
Following a collision with an 18-wheeler, you will likely be facing a variety of expenses, including massive medical bills. Securing compensation from the at-fault party can be critical for covering these costs. At Berry Law, we will fight relentlessly to ensure you get the money you need after a crash. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our Lincoln 18-wheeler accident lawyers.
Who Is Responsible for an 18-Wheeler Accident?
Following an accident involving an 18-wheeler truck, you must first determine who is liable for your damages before you can begin pursuing compensation. Proving liability is often challenging after any accident. This task becomes even more complicated when one of the vehicles involved is an 18-wheeler truck.
Many parties could potentially hold a level of liability for these types of accidents. Some of the parties that are most commonly found liable for these types of accidents include:
- The driver of the 18-wheeler
- The trucking company
- The manufacturer of the truck
- The company that loaded the 18-wheeler
- A company that performed maintenance on the 18-wheeler
- A third-party driver who caused the crash
This list is far from exhaustive. Depending on the details of your 18-wheeler accident, many other parties could potentially hold a level of liability for your damages. With this many parties that could potentially be held liable for your damages, sorting out fault can feel overwhelming.
However, you can rest easy when you hire an 18-wheeler accident lawyer in Lincoln, NE. An experienced attorney will know exactly what to look for when attempting to prove fault.
Take Action Soon After Your Collision
Following an accident with an 18-wheeler, it is essential that you take steps toward pursuing compensation as soon as possible. Delaying can harm your case in a variety of ways. By hiring an experienced 18-wheeler accident attorney in Lincoln, NE, shortly after your crash, you will put yourself in the best position to recover the compensation you need and deserve.
Getting started early is critical to ensuring you don’t miss the statute of limitations. Nebraska gives victims up to four years to file a lawsuit against the liable party after an accident in most scenarios. However, there are circumstances when a significantly shorter timeline applies, which is why it is important to consult with an attorney right away. Should you miss this cutoff, you will most likely be unable to pursue compensation from the liable party.
An additional benefit of getting started on your case early is that you will be giving your attorney the best chance of building a strong case on your behalf. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the easier it will be for them to collect evidence before it can be lost or corrupted. Any witness testimony that supports your case will also be more reliable closer to the date of the accident.
What Types of Damages Can I Pursue Following an 18-Wheeler Accident?
Following an 18-wheeler truck crash, you must determine what damages you are eligible to pursue to ensure you get maximum compensation for your damages. An experienced Lincoln 18-wheeler accident lawyer can help you identify common and obscure damages that might apply to your case.
All recoverable damages are divided into three primary categories.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are very straightforward. These damages cover any losses that directly impact your financial situation. Economic damages include any expenses you had to pay as a result of your collision. Additionally, these damages cover any income you failed to earn because of your accident.
Beyond the current losses you face, you can recover economic damages for losses you are projected to face in the future. Common economic damages include:
- Lost income
- Decreased earning potential
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Property damage
If you lost a loved one as a result of your accident, you may also be entitled to wrongful death benefits, which cover various costs, including funeral and burial expenses.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are a much broader category. Essentially, any loss you face because of your crash that is not a type of economic damage falls into this group. Non-economic damages tend to be far more personal than economic damages.
Since the losses in this category are usually profound and irreplaceable, the compensation for non-economic damages may account for the majority of the money recovered by the accident victim depending on the injuries sustained. Common non-economic damages include:
- Permanent disability
- Mental anguish
- Lowered quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Berry Law’s Team Provides You With Multiple Attorney Perspectives
Reach Out to an 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney in Lincoln Today
At Berry Law, we have helped countless 18-wheeler victims recover the money they need to rebuild their life after a crash. We will fight hard to ensure you get the compensation you require. You can get started on your case today by giving us a call or filling out our online contact form. We offer free, no-obligation consultations, so don’t wait to reach out.
