What Damages Should I Claim After A Truck Accident In Florida?
If you suffered severe injuries in a Florida truck accident, your injuries could impact you in many ways. For example, a truck accident injury can result in significant medical treatment and time off work. Truck accident injuries are also usually extremely painful. Thankfully, if another party’s negligence caused your Florida truck accident, you have the right to seek compensation from the negligent party.
If you plan to file a truck accident claim against a negligent party, you may wonder, “What damages should I claim after a truck accident in Florida?” So, what damages should you claim? Three main types of damages can be awarded in a Florida truck accident case. But the damages you should claim in your truck accident claim depend on the specific losses you have experienced and expect to experience in the future (if any). The three main damages you can recover in a Florida truck accident case are economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. Punitive damages are not awarded in many cases. To ensure you are seeking the damages you are entitled to, talk to a skilled truck accident attorney.
Economic Damages in a Florida Truck Accident Claim
Economic damages are objectively verifiable monetary losses. These damages can be easily proven as they have a set dollar value attached to them. Economic damages are a part of almost every truck accident case and usually comprise a large portion of a claim.
Below are some of the forms of economic damages awarded in Florida truck accident cases;
- Past and current medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Future loss of wages
- Cost of lost services
- Child care expenses
- Home health care services
Medical expenses include, among others, the following;
- Ambulance services
- Surgeries
- Medications
- Emergency room costs
- Hospitalization
Non-economic Damages in a Florida Truck Accident Claim
Non-economic damages are subjective, non-monetary losses. These damages do not have a set dollar amount. They are settled at a more personal level and are not out-of-pocket expenses.
The following are some examples of non-economic damages available in a Florida truck accident claim;
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Fear, humiliation, or anxiety
Non-economic damages can be worth a good amount of money, but they can be difficult to prove without the help of a truck accident attorney. So it’s best to work with a skilled attorney.
When Are Punitive Damages Available in Truck Accident Cases?
The court system uses punitive damages to punish responsible parties. These damages are also meant to discourage similar behavior in the future. In Florida truck accident cases, punitive damages are awarded if it is determined that gross negligence played a part in the accident. For example, if your accident occurred because the truck driver was drunk driving, you may be eligible to recover punitive damages.
It is crucial to note that Florida has a cap on punitive damages. The law allows an award of up to three times the amount of economic and non-economic damages, or $500,000, whichever amount is higher.
Contact Us for Legal Help
Our Miami personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you seek the compensation you deserve for your truck accident injuries. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Ocala, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, and Bradenton areas.
Source:
law.cornell.edu/wex/punitive_damages#:~:text=Punitive%20damages%20are%20considered%20punishment
