Some of the most devastating injuries from motor vehicle accidents happen in collisions that involve semi-trucks. A car, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian is vulnerable to the weight of these trucks and their cargo.
Large trucks can be 20 to 30 times heavier than passenger cars. Also, because tractor-trailers sit higher than cars, an automobile can slide underneath a truck in a collision. Their greater mass creates the need for long stopping distances. For example, if a car would need 100 feet to slow down and stop, a truck and cargo might need 2,000 to 4,000 feet to do the same.
If you were injured in an Ohio truck accident you may be eligible to pursue damages and compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more. A member of our team at Bressman Law can talk to you about your semi-truck accident that happened in Cleveland or a surrounding area. Call us today at (614) 538-1116 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Three Things to Do After a Semi-Truck Crash
The steps that you take after a truck accident can affect your health and your right to compensation for your losses. The specific actions you choose will depend on the facts of your situation. Every case is different. Here are three suggestions you might want to consider doing after an accident with a large truck:
Seek Medical Help Immediately
It can be challenging to know how badly hurt you are right after a crash with a semi-truck because your body might be in shock from the trauma and adrenaline. Let medical professionals decide the extent of your injuries and whether you need treatment.
Some injuries can take hours or days to develop noticeable symptoms, even though they are causing further damage to your body. You should get a medical examination immediately after the wreck to protect your health.
Also, your medical records will be valuable evidence that connects your injuries to the truck accident. It can be harder to prove that the crash caused the harm you sustained if you do not get medical attention right away.
Finish Your Medical Treatment
Unless there is a medical reason not to do so, like an allergic reaction, you should complete the medical treatment the doctor prescribes. If you do experience an adverse reaction to a component of the therapy or medication, you should contact your doctor right away.
If you do not complete your treatment without medical justification for stopping, the defendant can argue that your compensation should be reduced. The at-fault party can say that you would have recuperated better with a full round of treatment.
Work with a Personal Injury Lawyer
Working with a Cleveland semi-truck lawyer familiar with the laws in the state of Ohio can help with your accident claim. A lawyer may help you avoid the many pitfalls inherent in these cases, like missing the deadline for taking legal action seeking compensation. If you do not file a lawsuit in time, the law can bar you from ever going after money damages for your losses.
A Cleveland semi-truck lawyer from Bressman Law can evaluate your semi-truck accident case and help protect your legal rights. Call us today at (614) 538-1116 for a free consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a semi-truck lawyer serving Cleveland, call (614) 538-1116
How Much Compensation You Can Get for Your Cleveland Semi Truck Injury
We cannot throw out a number to represent the amount of money you can recover for your losses from a truck accident in Cleveland. Every case is unique. The compensation you can pursue will depend on the facts of your case.
Here are some examples of the types of money damages you may be eligible to receive:
- Lost wages. One can recover the number of wages, salary, self-employment, and other forms of regular income that went unpaid because of the truck accident and recuperation time.
- Decreased earning capacity. After a severe injury, a person might have to work fewer hours or take a lower-paying job because of ongoing problems from the accident. The difference between the previous earnings and the amount a person can make after the accident can be compensable.
- Medical expenses. You can recover the reasonable cost of medical treatment you needed for your accident injuries. This category can include things like the ambulance, emergency room, hospital, doctors, surgery, diagnostic procedures, physical therapy, and prescription drugs.
- Equipment. After a life-changing injury, a person might need wheelchairs, prosthetic devices, adapted vehicles, and home modifications. These items can be compensable.
- Long-term care. Sometimes a devastating injury like spinal cord damage with permanent paralysis or traumatic brain injury with an altered state of consciousness can leave an individual unable to perform necessary medical treatments or personal care without daily assistance. In these situations, the person might have to move into a long-term care facility.
- Noneconomic damages. In addition to the items discussed above, a person can suffer losses that do not come with bills or invoices but have a monetary value that we can calculate. For example, disfigurement, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering are intangible damages that we can include in your claim.
These are but a few examples of the types of losses a person might experience after a Cleveland semi-truck crash. We can evaluate whether you might be eligible for additional money damages based on the facts of your case.
Cleveland Semi-Truck Lawyer Near Me (614) 538-1116
How to Learn More About Us and Get Help with Your Cleveland Semi Truck Accident Injury Claim
At Bressman Law, we have a warm, helpful, and supportive staff available to speak with you about the details of your semi-truck accident case.
A Cleveland semi-truck lawyer from our firm can handle your Cleveland semi-truck accident case on a contingent fee basis. That means you do not pay any upfront fees during the claims process or truck accident lawsuit. We do not receive payment unless you win.
Call Bressman Law today at (614) 538-1116 to get started. The initial consultation is free, and there is no obligation.
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