What is My Truck Accident Claim Worth?

At Wilson & Novak Law Offices, we understand the ins and outs of truck accident cases and what you deserve to rebuild your life. Our firm has the experience to fight for your rights to full financial recovery from insurers, and we are dedicated to doing everything possible for each and every client. 

We have been providing aggressive representation for injured clients in Northwest Indiana for over 25 years, and we are ready to help you. Contact us today to discuss your case and let us give you an idea of what your case might be worth.

A Truck Accident Lawyer Must Review Your Circumstances

The reality is that determining the value of your case is not a straightforward process. Because every accident and injury is different, so is the value of every claim. There is no “average” or “typical” truck accident case value, so you really need an experienced legal professional to provide an accurate estimate based on your specific circumstances.

During your initial consultation, our legal team will assess your losses and provide an estimate of your claim's worth. However, it's important to note that this is just the beginning of the process. As we dig deeper into the evidence surrounding your case and the full extent of your losses, we can paint a clearer picture of what your claim is truly worth. 

By working with a seasoned truck accident attorney from our firm, you can rest assured that every aspect of your case will be thoroughly evaluated to ensure you receive the maximum compensation you deserve. We ensure that your truck accident case reflects all recoverable losses. 

Don't rely on guesswork regarding the value of your claim – trust in the knowledge of our dedicated legal team to ensure you do not seek less than you deserve. We have past experience working on the defense side of the insurance companies, which allows us to more effectively represent claimants going up against these insurers.

Recoverable Losses When Someone Else Was to Blame for Your Truck Accident

It helps to recognize the losses that are compensable under Indiana law, as this can give you an idea of what compensation you might expect. Our Merrillville truck accident attorneys regularly seek compensation for the following damages, among others.

Medical Bills

One significant part of evaluating your claim's value includes medical bills incurred due to the accident. This covers: 

• 
  Emergency care
• Hospital stays
• Surgeries
• Medications
• Doctor’s appointments
• Specialists
• Physical therapy
• Any other treatment costs

When someone else causes your injuries, you should not have to cover a dollar of medical expenses. However, you must track all costs and bills, ensuring you include everything in your claim.

Future Estimated Medical Costs

Large commercial vehicles weighing up to 80,000 pounds fully loaded have the potential to cause catastrophic injuries with permanent disabling effects. Such injuries do not simply get better with a few months of treatment, but they often require ongoing medical care - sometimes, for the rest of a person’s life. 

If your injuries require ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, or future medical procedures, these anticipated expenses must also be factored into calculating your claim's value. Our team works with medical experts to estimate your future medical needs and costs to ensure you seek the appropriate amount and are not left responsible for extensive medical expenses after your claim is resolved. 

Lost Wages

Many injuries prevent people from working, whether it is to undergo treatment or due to the limiting nature of their symptoms. If the accident resulted in you missing work, whether for days or months, any lost wages become an essential component of your claim's value. This includes all income you would have earned if not for the accident, including hourly wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, and more.

Future Lost Earnings

If your injuries have a long-term effect on your ability to work, and you cannot return to earning a living in the same capacity as before, the potential future income you may lose should be considered when assessing your claim's value. Our truck accident attorneys can use economic and occupational experts to properly calculate how much earnings you expect to lose throughout your working life.

Pain and Suffering

Beyond the tangible economic losses, the emotional and physical pain from the accident and injuries is also a compensable loss. This is a critical factor in calculating the value of your claim that our attorneys never overlook. Pain and suffering includes factors like:

• 
  Physical pain
• Trauma
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Other Intangible Losses

Various intangible losses such as emotional distress, disfigurement, loss of companionship, and diminished quality of life are also considered when determining the value of your truck accident claim. Too many people fail to realize the importance of their non-economic losses in the wake of a truck accident. Yet, our lawyers always take these losses just as seriously as financial ones.

The Potential for Punitive Damages in Truck Accident Cases

In addition to economic and non-economic damages, in some rare cases, there might be the potential for punitive damages. These damages do not correlate with your losses but instead are meant to punish the negligent party for especially egregious behavior. 

In Indiana, to be eligible for punitive damages, you must sufficiently prove that the liable party acted intentionally or with malice, fraud, gross negligence, or similar intolerable conduct. Punitive damages are difficult to obtain in truck accident cases but can significantly increase the overall compensation. 

By working with experienced lawyers who understand Indiana laws regarding damages, like Wilson & Novak Law Offices, you can ensure that every aspect of your claim, including punitive damages, is thoroughly evaluated and pursued. This strategic approach can make a substantial difference in the outcome of your case, providing you with the compensation you deserve.

Wrongful Death Damages from Indiana Truck Accidents

Around 5,000 commercial truck accidents in the U.S. result in fatalities each year, and about 150 truck-related deaths happen in Indiana annually. If your family suffered a tragic loss due to a fatal truck crash, you may seek compensation for wrongful death that can help ease your financial burden and give you a greater sense of justice for your loss.

Wrongful death damages in Indiana can include: 

• 
  Economic damages, such as medical expenses, reasonable funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of services.
• Non-economic damages may cover pain and suffering, loss of love, support, and affection, and the emotional toll of losing a loved one.

Not all surviving family members qualify for all types of damages, as Indiana's wrongful death laws are complicated. 

At Wilson & Novak Law Offices, our truck accident attorneys understand Indiana's legal system and what compensation is available, no matter what cause of action you have. 

If you are grieving a wrongful death due to a truck accident, seeking legal counsel can help you properly pursue the compensation needed to move forward. Contact Wilson & Novak Law Offices to discuss your case today.

Do Not Accept Insurance Company Valuations of Your Claim (They Will Be Far Too Low)

When wondering about the worth of your truck accident claim, it is imperative that you never simply accept the initial valuation provided by the insurance company. Our firsthand professional knowledge of how insurers handle injury claims means we understand these companies do not have your best interests in mind. 

Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, not necessarily provide accurate assessments. This often means their first offer is often far below what you are rightfully entitled to. 

An adjuster might assert that an initial offer will provide quick financial relief for your immediate bills. However, this quick offer likely does not take into account even a fraction of the damages you have suffered, such as future medical expenses, all of your lost wages, and non-economic losses.

Always have our experienced truck accident lawyers at Wilson & Novak Law Offices evaluate any settlement offers before you sign anything. We know how insurance companies operate and the tactics they use to undervalue your claim. We will advise when an offer is inadequate and assess the true value of your case. 

Remember, the insurance company's main goal is to protect their bottom line, not to look out for your financial future. By having our legal team in your corner, you can level the playing field and fight for full and fair compensation for your truck accident claim. 

We Consider Many Factors When Calculating the True Amount You Deserve

At Wilson & Novak Law Offices, our experienced truck accident attorneys consider multiple factors when calculating the true value of your claim. These include the following:

• Severity of your injuries: The extent and seriousness of your injuries play a pivotal role in determining the compensation you are entitled to. Severe injuries that result in long-term disabilities or chronic pain typically merit higher settlements.
• Whether you have permanent damage: In cases where the accident leaves you with permanent impairments or disabilities, the impact on your life and livelihood is factored into the evaluation of your claim's value.
• Liability for the accident: Establishing fault in the accident is crucial. If the other party was clearly responsible for the collision, it strengthens your case and can lead to a higher settlement amount.
• Strength of the evidence: The availability of strong evidence, such as eyewitness testimonies, police reports, and medical records, can significantly bolster your claim and increase the likelihood of a favorable settlement.

These calculations are complicated, so never rely on any assessment that does not properly consider all the necessary factors.

We Utilize Our Insider Knowledge of the Insurance Industry in Negotiations

Our former insurance defense attorneys uniquely understand how insurance companies operate. This insight lets us anticipate the strategies they often use to undervalue your claim. 

We can easily identify when insurance adjusters are attempting to undervalue your claim, and we leverage our insider knowledge of insurance defense to advocate for our clients and persuasively negotiate for maximum compensation. 

When presenting your claim to insurance companies, you need a well-prepared and airtight case that clearly demonstrates the full extent of your damages and losses. Our truck accident lawyers excel in crafting compelling claims, supported by strong evidence, that leave little room for undervaluation or dispute.

When going up against insurers, having former insurance defense attorneys handling your truck accident case can give you a significant advantage. 

What if a Settlement Offer is Too Low?

When you receive a low settlement offer, never assume you must accept it or receive nothing. There are options for us to fight for an amount that truly reflects your losses. 

Continue Negotiations

If you receive an inadequate settlement offer based on the evaluation of your claim, our attorneys will continue negotiating with the insurance company to seek a fair and just resolution. 

Initiate Litigation

When negotiations fail to yield a satisfactory offer, our team is prepared to take legal action and initiate litigation in civil court on your behalf. We will represent your case to pursue a higher pretrial settlement or seek an award from a judge or jury when necessary.

Consult Our Merrillville, Indiana Truck Accident Lawyers Today

In Merrillville, Indiana, Wilson & Novak Law Offices is your trusted partner in overseeing every aspect of truck accident claims, especially advising what your claim should be worth. 

If you have been injured in a truck accident and are wondering about your rights and the value of your claim, speak with our experienced truck accident lawyers today. Contact our office to schedule a free consultation now.