A side impact truck crash involves a commercial truck colliding into the side of a passenger vehicle. Also known as a T-bone accident, these collisions often lead to catastrophic injuries. This is often the case when an 18-wheeler is involved.
The cost of treating these severe injuries can be high. In addition to any medical expenses, you could also face diminished income and serious emotional damages to deal with. If the truck driver was at fault for your crash, a skilled injury attorney could help you hold them accountable.
You have legal rights after a side impact truck crash. If you fail to act, you could lose your right to seek monetary compensation. A consultation with a Chattanooga side-impact truck accident lawyer could help you move your claim forward.
Nature of a Side Impact Truck Crash
While a truck driver could cause a side-impact collision nearly anywhere, a large portion of these accidents occurs at an intersection. If a distracted or careless truck operator fails to stop at a traffic light or stop sign, he or she could collide with cross-traffic that has entered the intersection legally.
Outside of intersections, these collisions are also common when two roadways merge. If a truck driver enters a highway from an onramp without looking, he could sideswipe a vehicle already established in the lane.
These accidents are not limited to public highways. If a truck operator is not careful, he or she could also cause a side impact truck crash when entering or leaving a parking lot.
Side impact collisions tend to result in severe injuries. This is due to the typical design of a passenger vehicle. While the front and rear-ends of a car are designed to absorb a significant impact, the sides of the vehicle are not as protected. The car door offers little more than a few inches of metal as protection. These accidents can be devastating when trucks are involved, as the bumper could strike the window of the vehicle and impact an occupant directly.
Dealing with the fallout of a side impact truck crash can be challenging. If the truck operator involved in the side impact truck accident was at fault, a Chattanooga attorney could help hold the trucker accountable.
Side-Impact Truck Collision Losses
There are three categories of compensation that a Chattanooga attorney could recover following a side impact truck accident. These damages could cover a wide range of losses following a crash.
Economic damages cover the objective losses that come with an accident. These measurable losses have a demonstrable monetary value and include lost wages, medical bills, and property damage repair costs.
Non-economic damages are subjective losses that are difficult to measure. A plaintiff cannot establish this type of compensation with documents like bills, invoices, or receipts. Common examples include loss of consortium or pain and suffering.
Punitive damages are also possible but rarely awarded in a truck accident. These damages do not compensate a plaintiff for their losses. Instead, they are punitive and designed to prevent similar behavior in the future. Punitive damages are only awarded when a plaintiff shows the defendant acted maliciously, fraudulently, or recklessly.
Work With a Chattanooga Side Impact Truck Accident Attorney
The task of investigating and pursuing a side impact truck accident claim is never easy. This process can take months and include extensive negotiation and discovery. In some cases, a jury trial is necessary to resolve a claim.
A Chattanooga side-impact truck accident lawyer could help you throughout every step of the claims process. Schedule your initial consultation to learn more.
