What Are Punitive Damages in Truck Accident Cases?

What are punitive damages in truck accident cases? Punitive damages refer to compensation awarded to deter a liable party from committing future acts of negligence. 

A Duluth truck accident lawyer can provide insights into what punitive damages are in trucking crash cases and if you are eligible to recover them.

What Punitive Damages Are in Truck Accident Cases in Georgia

A Georgia court may award punitive damages in a truck accident case to punish someone who acted incredibly careless or reckless. Punitive damages are rarely provided. Regardless, a judge or jury may offer to show the defendant just how much harm they have caused the victim to suffer. 

Punitive damages can be provided in conjunction with economic and non-economic ones. A Duluth truck accident attorney helps their client build a compelling argument. If they succeed, their client could receive economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. 

Slam Dunk Attorney knows how the truck accident process works. We have handled thousands of personal injury cases and can help you secure fair compensation from anyone liable for your truck collision. Schedule a free case consultation with us. 

Why You Could Get Punitive Damages in a Truck Crash Case

Hire a truck accident lawyer as your legal representative and advocate. They can explain who is liable for a commercial truck accident. In addition, your attorney can provide insights into reasons why you could receive punitive damages in a truck collision case, such as:

Truck Driver Fatigue

A trucker must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. If a truck driver violates FMCSA’s hours of service (HOS) mandates, they are choosing to drive for a long time. The truck driver may be prone to fatigue that can contribute to your accident, and this individual or their employer could be required to pay punitive damages.

Poor Vehicle Maintenance 

It is reasonable to expect a trucking company to take care of its vehicles. Yet, a business could ignore vehicle maintenance. If a truck was not properly maintained and a vehicle defect led to your accident, you could receive punitive damages based on a liable party’s negligence. 

Letting a Trucker Driver Operate a Vehicle Without a License

A truck driver must have a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL). However, there are times when unlicensed truckers get behind the wheel. If a trucker did not have a license at the time of your accident, this individual or their employer could be ordered to provide punitive damages. 

You wonder who is liable in a commercial truck accident and what damages you could recover from any at-fault parties. At this time, meet with a truck collision lawyer. You can share your questions about damages and other legal topics with your attorney and find out if you have grounds for an injury lawsuit. 

How to Get Punitive Damages Available in a Truck Crash Case

Your lawyer discusses what to expect if you are in a trucking accident and what to do about it. They can help you obtain damages that line up with your expectations. Also, they can share tips to put you in a position to receive maximum compensation, such as:

Gather Evidence

Witness statements, vehicle maintenance records, and a truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) data are three types of evidence that can strengthen your case. You and your attorney can work together to collect proof. If you have plenty of evidence, the defendant or their insurer could encounter challenges as they try to dispute your case. 

Receive Medical Care

Go to a doctor as soon as you can after your accident and continue to receive medical attention for as long as you need it. If you get medical care, you could rebound from your injuries. Plus, you can use your medical records to show the court just how badly you were hurt. 

Do Not Take the Blame for Your Accident

Beware if a liable party or their insurance carrier contacts you about your collision. Either party could do so in the hopes you will take responsibility for the incident. Notify your lawyer if an at-fault party or their insurance company reaches out after your accident, and your attorney can speak about your case on your behalf. 

Set Your Online Profiles to Private

Make sure a liable party or their insurance company cannot view your profiles on Facebook, X, and other websites. If you publish content about your accident online, this could be used in the case against you. Ultimately, if you want to keep family and friends updated about your crash recovery, do so via phone and video calls, emails, and texts rather than online posts. 

Get Ready for Your Trial Date

If you receive a settlement offer, review it with your lawyer. A settlement proposal will not necessarily account for all of your losses. If the proposal falls short of what you want, trust your lawyer to help you prepare for your trial.

Punitive damages are not guaranteed in truck accident cases. Your lawyer wants you to hold a liable party accountable for their actions against you and receive damages that you can use to recover financially from your crash. They work diligently to help you achieve your desired case result. 

Other Damages You Can Receive in a Truck Accident Case

Outside of punitive damages, you may be eligible for economic and non-economic compensation. You can recover economic and non-economic damages for your quantifiable and subjective losses. Reasons you could receive one or both of these damages include:

• Costs of replacing or repairing your car
• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of income
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Your attorney calculates your damages and crafts your argument accordingly. Ideally, your lawyer makes it clear to a judge or jury that you deserve full damages. If the court agrees with your argument, you could receive compensation for your economic, non-economic, and punitive losses. 

Ask for Legal Help as You Bounce Back from Your Truck Accident

The truck accident lawyers at Slam Dunk Attorney build meaningful relationships with our clients and assist them in any way we can throughout their litigation.

Give us a shot, and allow us to help you with your truck collision case. Request a complimentary case consultation with us.