Maison Law helps victims of big rig accidents in California by answering their questions about the legal process. Any accident is going to cause you some level of pain, but a big rig accident is usually much more extensive. So, it’s important to think about how much this will be worth in a claim. Our experienced big rig accident lawyers can help you figure this and other things out. Contact us today for a free consultation.
What is Pain and Suffering Worth in a Big Rig Accident?
If you’ve been in an accident with a big rig, or even know someone that has, it’s fairly easy to see how much pain and suffering it can cause. With the huge size disparity between a big rig and your car, along with potentially dangerous cargo or high speeds, it makes these accidents much worse than a normal car accident. Even if you don’t get hit directly, the impact of the accident can still leave you with painful injuries like whiplash or bruises.
The worse the accident, the more likely you are to be injured, and the whole experience can be very traumatic. This can cause both physical pain and emotional stress, and both are considered when you file for financial support.
But how do you figure out how much your pain and suffering are worth? There’s no simple formula, but here are some ways to measure it based on your situation:
- More serious injuries – The more serious your injuries, the more pain you’re likely feeling, and the longer it will affect your life. For example, broken bones or serious injuries like brain or spine damage will lead to more financial support because they cause a lot of pain and take a long time to heal. Smaller injuries, while still important, usually don’t lead to as much financial support since they heal faster.
- Emotional trauma – Big rig accidents can also cause emotional pain. If you’re dealing with things like anxiety, depression, or PTSD because of the accident, that can add to your claim. The mental stress and trauma you’ve been through are part of pain and suffering, and things like therapy notes or diagnoses from a therapist can help prove it.
- Reduced quality of life – If your injuries have made it harder for you to enjoy life, that’s important. If you can’t do things you used to love, like hobbies, work, or spending time with family, it lowers your quality of life. Even simple tasks like walking, sleeping, or driving might be harder now. Showing how much your life has changed helps increase the financial support for your pain and suffering.
- Fatal injuries – If the injuries lead to death, your family can file a wrongful death claim. The emotional pain and loss of a loved one are taken into account, along with how the loss affects the family’s life and financial situation. The more significant the emotional and financial loss, the higher the financial support.
All these factors together help decide how much pain and suffering financial support you can receive after your big rig accident. But there’s still aspects of your claim that are important, and that includes taking the right steps after the accident happens.
What Can You Do to Protect Your Claim?
Once you’ve been in an accident with a big rig, you’ll need the right information and proof to protect your claim. This starts right after the accident happens, and although it can be difficult, these things still need to be done to the extent you’re able:
- Call 911 for help – The first thing you need to do is call 911 for an ambulance and the police. They’ll help with any injuries and make sure the scene is under control. The police will also create a report, which is important for your claim.
- Gather evidence – If you can and it’s safe, take photos and videos of the accident scene. This includes both your vehicle and the farm truck, plus anything that may have caused the crash, like road conditions.
- Get important information – Exchange contact and insurance details with the farm truck driver. Also, if there are witnesses, get their names and numbers, as their input might help your claim.
- Watch what you say – When talking about the accident, especially with insurance representatives, stick to the facts. Avoid saying anything that could be used against you, like admitting fault.
These steps are important for any big rig accident. But if your injuries are serious, it might be hard to do everything right away. That’s where our team can step in and help you.
How Maison Law Can Help You After a California Big Rig Accident
You may not always need a lawyer after a minor big rig accident in California. But if you’re dealing with serious injuries and other issues, having our lawyers on your side can make a big difference, especially when it comes to getting financial support for your pain and suffering.
Our lawyers are here to help you through the claims process by:
- Explaining the law and your options – We’ll walk you through the legal process step by step, making sure you understand your rights and how pain and suffering are calculated in your case.
- Helping gather evidence – We’ll help you collect key documents like medical records, photos, and witness statements that will make your pain and suffering claim stronger.
- Negotiating with insurance companies – Insurance companies may try to lower your payout. We’ll handle the negotiations to make sure you get fair support for both your physical and emotional pain.
- Taking the stress off you – We’ll take care of the legal work, so you can focus on getting better. Our goal is to make everything as easy and stress-free as possible.
With our support, you can feel confident that your claim is in good hands, giving you the best chance to get the financial support and result you need to get better. Contact us today for a free consultation.
