After getting into an accident with a delivery truck, you will likely be faced with a variety of expenses. Recovering compensation for your losses can be essential for meeting your financial obligations and getting your life back on track. At the Morelli Law Firm, our team of experienced delivery truck accident attorneys in Paterson, NJ, can help get you the money you need.
Determining Liability for a Delivery Truck Accident
Before you can recover compensation after a delivery truck accident, you must first determine who is at fault for your damages. Unfortunately, proving liability is often easier said than done. However, the good news is that you don’t have to attempt to establish liability on your own.
When you hire an experienced deli truck accident lawyer in Paterson, NJ, one of the first actions they will take will be to investigate your case. During this investigation, they will aim to prove liability, while gathering evidence to support your claim for damages.
Be Sure to File Your Delivery Truck Accident Lawsuit Before Time Runs Out
If you are planning to file a lawsuit after a delivery truck accident, it is essential that you pay attention to the statute of limitations for your state. In New Jersey, accident victims typically have two years to file a lawsuit against the liable party. Failure to file before the two-year statute of limitations runs out will result in a loss of your right to pursue compensation.
However, you need to realize that your case could apply for an exception which would allow you to file a lawsuit even if the two-year statute of limitations has long passed.
Alternatively, an exception can further limit the amount of time you have to submit your lawsuit to the court. Instead of having two years to file, you may be restricted to a matter of months. Hiring an experienced delivery truck accident attorney is the best way to ensure you meet all deadlines and protect your right to pursue compensation after a crash.
Be Wary of the Insurance Company
Insurance providers work hard to convince the public that they are friendly neighbors, just waiting to lend a helping hand. However, the sad truth is that these companies care far more about profits than people. Insurance adjusters will use a number of tricks to attempt to deny or devalue your claim.
Unfortunately, many people believe the narrative that these companies attempt to create. By following the lead of the insurance provider, accident victims often put themselves in positions where recovering fair compensation for their damages becomes impossible. It is essential to use caution when dealing with insurers so you can protect your right to recover compensation.
The best thing you can do to protect yourself against the predatory practices used by these companies is to hire an experienced delivery truck accident attorney. By hiring a lawyer, you will prevent the insurer from contacting you directly. When you force the insurance adjuster to deal with your attorney, you eliminate their ability to manipulate you out of the money you deserve.
Damages You Can Recover After a Delivery Truck Accident
Following an accident with a delivery truck, there are a variety of damages you will likely be eligible to recover. All compensatory damages are divided between economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Any monetary damages you incur after a delivery truck accident are categorized as economic damages. Economic damages can compensate you for the money you were forced to spend after an accident, as well as income you were unable to earn. In addition to the current losses you face, economic damages can also cover your future losses.
Following an accident with a delivery truck, common damages you will likely be able to pursue include:
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning ability
- Property damage
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
Non-Economic Damages
All the other losses resulting from your delivery truck accident are labeled as non-economic damages. While these damages are often varied, they tend to share the characteristics of being irreplaceable and irreversible. Due to the profound nature of these losses, the compensation awarded for non-economic damages is often significant.
Following an accident with a delivery truck, common damages you will likely be able to pursue include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Decreased quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent disability
If you were involved in a delivery truck accident, an experienced attorney can help you figure out which damages apply to your case. Beyond the compensatory damages already mentioned, you may be able to recover punitive damages as well.
Punitive damages are only awarded in a small percentage of cases. In order to qualify, the liable party in your case must have acted in a manner deemed criminally negligent or taken action with the express intent of causing harm.
Choose a Lawyer With a Proven Track Record
When you file a lawsuit after a delivery truck accident, you will likely be taking legal action against a large shipping company. When going up against a large corporation, it is essential to hire an attorney with a history of winning these types of cases.
At the Morelli Law Firm, our team of delivery truck accident lawyers in Paterson has helped countless accident victims recover fair compensation after a collision. Contact us today by giving us a call or using our online contact form and schedule a free consultation with a member of our team.
