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Survivors and family members of those lost in truck accidents are often eligible to file personal injury suits to recoup the losses they suffered due to the trucking wrecks. However, recovering damages in Chattanooga truck accident settlements is not always as straightforward of a process as it might seem.
If you sustained an injury in a commercial vehicle accident, it could be very challenging to recover damages from the trucker, the company, or from insurance companies. Rather than facing the system alone, a dedicated truck wreck attorney could fight on your behalf to get you the recovery that you desperately need during this time.
Although it might seem clear that a trucker’s negligent driving caused a crash, employers and insurance companies are usually more financially concerned with their bottom line. Therefore, a claimant holds the burden of proving that the driver caused the crash. A skilled attorney in the area could help a claimant gather and secure the necessary evidence to prove their claim.
Even if the evidence clearly establishes that a truck driver is liable, the trucking and insurance company might still offer an unreasonably low settlement figure. These companies know that families are often in dire straits financially and might be willing to sacrifice what they deserve just to get some money quickly.
It is helpful to work with a law firm as soon as possible in the legal process. A legal representative understands that insurance companies employ delay tactics and routinely offer low initial settlements. However, a local lawyer could work to get a family the maximum possible value for their case. They can use their experience to judge when it is in a family’s best interest to settle a claim and when they should take a case to court.
Survivors of trucking crashes are eligible for three different types of damages in Chattanooga settlements:
Economic damages include losses that have an actual monetary cost, such as medical bills, lost income, and vehicle damage. The state has no statutory caps on the recovery of these damages.
Non-economic damages do not have an actual quantifiable and subjective cost, but they are still genuine losses. Examples of non-economic damages include pain and suffering, scarring, loss of enjoyment of life, and disability. In most instances, the state caps the recovery of non-economic damages at $750,000.
In limited situations where there is clear evidence of intentionally harmful, malicious, or negligent behavior, state courts may award punitive damages to punish wrongdoers. Punitive damages are generally capped at the greater amount of $500,000 or two times the value of the economic damages.
It is not easy to stand up to large trucking companies and their insurance providers. Working with a seasoned local attorney could help you obtain a favorable Chattanooga truck accident settlement. Our team understands the value of each claim and could work diligently to get you what you deserve. Call us today to begin.