When a big rig truck is involved in a crash, the resulting damages are often catastrophic. These trucks can cause massive damage due to their size and weight. Unfortunately, with so many of these vehicles on the road, the rate at which big rig accidents occur is quite high.
After a big rig accident, you will likely incur a variety of expenses. Getting back on your feet without recovering fair compensation from the liable party can be a nearly impossible task. At Berry Law, we will fight to get you the compensation you need and deserve after a crash. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation with a member of our legal team.
Don’t Delay When Pursuing Compensation
After a big rig accident, it is critical that you don’t put off taking action. Delays can hurt your chances of recovering compensation in multiple ways. The best thing you can do to protect your right to recover compensation and give yourself the highest chance of getting the money you need is to hire a big rig accident attorney in Lincoln, NE, shortly after your crash.
One of the reasons it is so essential that you act quickly is the statute of limitations. In Nebraska, the personal injury statute of limitations states that victims usually have four years from the date of their crash to collect compensation – although some circumstances lower that time limit, including those involving wrongful death. Failure to settle your claim or file your lawsuit with the court within this time frame will likely mean that you no longer have the right to pursue compensation.
Another reason that acting quickly is essential is that evidence can become lost or corrupted over time. Hiring an attorney early will give them the best chance of collecting evidence while it is still available. Furthermore, any witness testimony you intend to use in your case will become less reliable over time.
Determining Where Fault Lies in a Big Rig Truck Accident
After an accident with a big rig truck, the first step toward recovering compensation is figuring out who is to blame for your damages. Proving fault for any type of accident can be a challenge. However, things get much more difficult when one of the vehicles involved in the accident is a big rig truck.
In these types of accidents, there are a great number of parties that could potentially be liable for your damages. Some of the most commonly at-fault parties in these crashes include:
- The big rig driver
- The trucking company
- The truck manufacturer
- A company that performed maintenance on the truck
- The company that loaded the truck
- A third-party driver whose actions led to the crash
The above list is not exhaustive. Depending on the specific details of your accident, a variety of other parties could be held liable for the collision. With so many parties that could be at fault for your damages, proving liability on your own can feel impossible. Fortunately, when you hire a big rig accident lawyer in Lincoln, NE, they will be well-versed in proving fault in these cases.
What Damages Am I Eligible to Recover After a Big Rig Accident?
After an accident with a big rig truck, it is critical to understand what damages you qualify to make. The damages you may be eligible to recover vary from case to case. An experienced big rig accident lawyer can help you identify which damages apply. All damages you can pursue after a big rig accident can be sorted into two primary categories.
Economic Damages
The first category considered is economic damages. These are easy to identify and assess as they are the losses that directly impact your finances. These damages include any money you were forced to spend after an accident. Additionally, economic damages cover any income you were unable to earn because of your collision.
Economic damages are not limited to the losses you currently face. Instead, they can also cover expected future expenses. Common economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning potential
- Property damage
If your accident resulted in the death of a loved one, you could be entitled to wrongful death benefits, including funeral and burial costs. The legal team at Berry Law can help you claim wrongful death damages.
Non-Economic Damages
The second category of damages considered is non-economic damages. Rather than focusing on your financial losses, these tend to be far more personal. Any loss resulting from your accident that is not financial is considered to be a form of non-economic damage.
Because these losses are so profound and often irreplaceable, the money awarded for non-economic damages often makes up the majority of the compensation that an accident victim receives. Common non-economic damages include:
- Mental anguish
- Lowered quality of life
- Permanent disability
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
Berry Law’s Team Provides You With Multiple Attorney Perspectives
Get Help From a Big Rig Accident Lawyer in Lincoln Today
At Berry Law, we have a long history of helping accident victims get back on their feet after a wreck. Contact us today to learn more about your options for pursuing compensation. You can reach us by phone or by completing our online contact form. We offer free consultations, so don’t hesitate to get started on your case today.
