Louisiana 18-Wheeler Accidents: What Damages Can I Recover?
Have you been the victim of an 18-wheeler accident here in Shreveport, Louisiana? You have a right to bring an insurance claim and file a personal injury lawsuit. If this has happened to you -- or a loved one -- contact the Law Offices of Philip B. Adams. We provide top-tier legal assistance for all types of personal injury cases in Caddo Parish and other parts of Louisiana. We work hard to obtain compensation for victims of all types of truck accidents, such as 18-wheeler trucks, semis, big rigs, tractor-trailers, and other large commercial vehicles like buses and more. In this article, we discuss the types of damages that can be recovered by victims of Louisiana 18-wheeler truck accidents.
To begin, please note that you should act very quickly after a Louisiana big-rig accident because Louisiana law imposes a short deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. This is called a "statute of limitations," and in Louisiana, the statute of limitations is only one year from the date of the accident. This applies to claims for compensation based on negligence and also for wrongful death and survivor actions if there has been a fatality.
What Categories of Damages Can Be Recovered for a Louisiana 18-Wheeler Accident?
If you are a victim of an accident here in Louisiana, you have a right to compensation. You have a right to FULL recovery for all injuries and property damage. The goal of compensation is to attempt -- as fully as possible -- to "make whole" the victim. Since an accident causes many types of losses, there are just as many categories of damages. These include compensation for:
Medical bills and expenses -- this is often the most straightforward category to calculate since it is based on bills and invoices provided by medical care professionals; this category (and many others) can include compensation for future medical bills and expenses as well.
Damage to property -- damage to the victim's vehicle, clothing, or other personal property that was in the vehicle and damaged/destroyed in the accident.
Lost wages/income -- it takes time to heal, and that means lost time from work and lost earnings.
Out-of-pocket expenses -- like the cost of renting a replacement vehicle while repairs are made.
Pain and suffering -- victims suffer pain from their injuries and from medical treatment; victims are entitled to recover for such pain and suffering.
Apprehension and fear of imminent harm -- Louisiana is one of the few States that allow victims to recover for fear and apprehension.
Scarring, disfigurement, and loss of limb.
Disability -- usually some sort of permanent loss of movement or capacity.
Mental anguish damages -- also called damages for emotional distress; can be as severe as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Loss of normal life/enjoyment -- this can be temporary or permanent.
Loss of society/companionship -- for example, damages resulting from the loss or diminution of society or companionship of friends and family while recovering; can be temporary or permanent.
Loss of consortium -- loss of sexual relations with the marital union due to the accident.
Contact A Louisiana Personal Injury Attorney Today
For more information, contact the Law Offices of Philip B. Adams. If you have been injured in a Louisiana accident, our Louisiana personal injury lawyers can help you recover the full compensation you are entitled to according to Louisiana law. To contact us, complete our "Contact Us" page here. We have the experience and legal knowledge that you need. We have offices in Shreveport and handle personal injury cases throughout all of Louisiana. Thank you for reading and visiting our website.