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Utah Truck Accident Lawyers Discuss Personal Injury Damages

Have you been seriously injured in a Utah truck accident? Lawyers know the ins and outs of personal injury cases, and turning to an experienced local attorney is the best way to get the information and advice you need.

That said, injuries like yours might have you worried about the costs of medical care and your inability to work – and learning about the damages you may be entitled to may help ease your mind. Here, the experienced legal team at William R. Rawlings & Associates explains the basics.

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What are Damages in a Truck Accident?

Personal injury lawyers use the term “damages” to refer to the monetary compensation an accident victim can pursue for their injuries and financial losses.

Personal injury cases are meant to hold a party or parties accountable for their actions, and to recover damages, you must be able to prove that someone else’s negligence directly led to the trucking accident and the injuries you suffered.

What if Multiple Parties are to Blame for a Truck Accident?

When more than one motorist is involved in an accident in Utah, the percentage of fault for each party affects the outcome of a personal injury case.

Utah has a comparative negligence law, which basically means that an assessment of a trucking accident is required to determine how much blame should be placed on each motorist. The amount of compensation you may receive from each party will be equivalent to their percentage of fault. And if you’re found to be at least 50 percent responsible for the accident, you may be barred from collecting any damages.

What Damages Can You Recover After a Truck Accident?

In Utah, truck accident victims have the legal right to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded.

Economic damages, also known as special damages, are meant to provide compensation for actual, measurable financial losses related to the truck accident. A lawyer may recommend seeking these economic damages:

  • Past, ongoing and future medical care related to the accident
  • Lost wages due to your injuries forcing you to miss time at work
  • Lost earning capacity, if you’re unable to earn the same income
  • Costs to repair or replace your vehicle and other damaged property
  • Household services, if you need help because of your injuries

Non-economic or general damages in personal injury cases are meant to provide monetary compensation for intangible losses incurred in a truck accident. A lawyer can determine which of the following non-economic damages apply to your case:

  • Pain and suffering for the physical discomfort of the injuries you suffered
  • Emotional distress due to anxiety, guilt, depression or anguish over the accident
  • Loss of enjoyment for the inability to take part in regular leisure pursuits
  • Disfigurement, if a permanent impairment causes a loss in quality of life
  • Loss of consortium, if the accident has an impact on a spousal relationship

Experienced truck accident lawyers know that punitive or exemplary damages are rarely awarded in the state of Utah. This is because punitive damages are intended to be a punishment for the at-fault party for gross negligence and to deter others from acting in the same manner.

When Can You Recover Damages for Your Losses?

Sometimes, the injured victim in a Utah truck accident and the at-fault party or parties come to an agreement in a timely manner – but that’s not the norm.

More often than not, people with serious injuries need to fight for the compensation they deserve. Many end up waiting far too long, and for some, filing a lawsuit is the only way to recover damages. Delays in the process are to be expected, yet you don’t have all the time in the world to resolve the situation.

In Utah, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is four years – and in your case, the clock started ticking on the day of your truck accident. Any lawsuit filed after that time won’t be legally valid. Be aware, too, that property damage claims have a three-year deadline. So, you have even less time to make a claim for compensation for your damaged vehicle and any other items in poor condition as a result of the accident.

Schedule a Truck Accident Lawyer Consultation Today

To recover damages as quickly as possible – and to receive the maximum in compensation for your injuries and losses -- you need an experienced Utah truck accident lawyer, one who knows how to win. That’s what you’ll get with William R. Rawlings & Associates.

Our legal team will fight to ensure that you receive every dollar you’re owed, and while we’re able to settle most personal injury cases, we’re not afraid to go to trial. Our truck accident lawyers have been representing injured victims like you for more than 35 years, and no other Utah law firm is as dedicated to reaching the best possible case outcome.

Working with William R. Rawlings & Associates is risk-free, as we don’t charge legal fees unless we obtain damages in a personal injury case – and the initial consultation is always free. To meet with one of the best truck accident lawyers in Utah, contact us today.

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