Road accidents can have a devastating impact on the people involved in it. Accidents that involve heavy commercial vehicles can leave the victims in a debilitated state for life. Truck accidents are some of the most common large commercial vehicle accidents that may leave one paralyzed.
Besides the loss and damage to the property, truck wrecks often end with lifelong medical expenses. Thus, it’s always beneficial to consult a personal injury lawyer VA Beach. Having a professional lawyer will ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
In a truck accident, injuries to the head, spinal cord, and brain are typical. Severe injuries to the spinal cord can result in paralysis. Paralysis may or may not be a permanent condition, but one has to undergo lifelong rehabilitation treatment. The road to recovery for someone involved in spinal cord injury is long and costly. One has to undergo expensive surgeries, occupational therapies, physical training, etc.
What Should I Do if I Suspect I Have a Spinal Cord Injury?
There are times when injuries due to accidents don’t manifest immediately. One may think that since they are not bleeding or feeling pain, they are fine. Since truck accidents are impactful, they can cause severe injuries to the spine, brain, and neck. If you suspect that an accident victim has sustained a spinal cord injury, take caution while handling them. One must not attempt to move the victim as it can further aggravate the wound.
Here are some things you should do when attending to an accident victim with a spinal cord injury.
- Immediately call 911.
- Don’t attempt to move the injured person.
- Support the neck and back of the person using your hands or towels.
- Try to stop the external bleeding and perform the basic first aid before any help arrives.
Filing a Lawsuit Against a Reckless Truck Driver
Reckless truck driving can lead to debilitating injuries and even death. Commercial trucks can be as massive as 80,000 pounds and collide with a forceful impact leaving one severely injured.
A truck collision can happen due to many reasons, including distraction, drowsiness, technical failure, overloading, etc. A truck accident often leads to damage to the property, severe injuries, and long-term medical expenses.
The accident victim can file a lawsuit against the defaulter to get compensation for losses. Filing a lawsuit while looking after one’s injuries and medical needs can be an overwhelming task. Besides, there are various parties involved in the truck accident, making it difficult to determine who is accountable for the accident. One must hire personal injury law firm Virginia Beach to look after the lawsuit.
What Types of Damages Can One Collect After a Truck Accident?
If you or someone you know has sustained injuries in a truck accident, you are eligible for the following compensation:
- Punitive Damages: Punitive damages are awarded to the defendant if their actions were wrongful and harmful to the plaintiff.
- Economic Damages: The plaintiff can recover the monetary damages sustained due to the accident like medical expenses, loss of wages, injury-related expenses.
- Non-economic Damages: Some damages can’t be evaluated in money. One can file a claim for intangible expenses like trauma, stress, anxiety, etc.