What Compensation Is Available After a Truck Accident in Kansas City?

Truck accidents can be extremely traumatic. When one of these massive vehicles strikes a passenger car, the victims and their families have the right to pursue financial compensation by filing an insurance claim or truck accident lawsuit in Kansas City. The compensation available in these cases depends on the type of claim you are filing and the circumstances surrounding the crash. 

Economic Damages in Kansas City Truck Accident Lawsuits

Economic damages cover the financial losses resulting from the truck accident. Medical expenses often make up the largest portion of this award. Emergency transport, surgery, hospital stays, physical therapy, prescriptions, and medical equipment all qualify. You can also recover compensation for the projected future costs of your treatment.

You can also claim lost wages during your recovery and treatment periods, as well as reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to the same work. Vehicle repair or replacement and out-of-pocket costs like mileage to appointments or in-home caregivers are also recoverable. 

Non-Economic Pain and Suffering Damages Following a Collision

Non-economic damages address the intangible pain and suffering you experienced because of the truck accident. Physical pain, emotional distress, scarring and disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and the development of mental health conditions all fall into this category. Because these damages do not come with receipts or invoices, a Kansas City truck accident lawyer can help you calculate their value and fight for the compensation you deserve.

When Do Punitive Damages Apply to Truck Accident Cases?

In some cases, you may be eligible for a third category of compensation following a truck accident: punitive damages. These are intended to punish conduct that goes beyond ordinary negligence or carelessness. An attorney can evaluate your case and determine whether you meet the following standards, depending on which side of Kansas City the accident occurred:

• In Missouri, you are eligible for punitive damages if you can provide clear and convincing evidence that the defendant intentionally harmed you without just cause or acted with deliberate and flagrant disregard for the safety of others, under RSMo. § 510.261. 
• Kansas requires clear and convincing proof of willful conduct, wanton conduct, fraud, or malice under K.S.A. 60-3701.

Compensation Available After a Fatal Truck Accident in Kansas City

If your loved one died in a truck accident, your family may qualify to file a wrongful death lawsuit. These claims allow surviving family members to pursue accountability and financial compensation against the party responsible for the death. Generally, if your loved one could have filed a personal injury lawsuit had they survived, the case is eligible for a wrongful death claim.

Compensation in Kansas City wrongful death lawsuits may include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• The deceased’s final medical bills
• The pain and suffering that the deceased experienced before death
• The value of the wages and benefits that the deceased would have earned
• The loss of companionship, care, consortium, comfort, guidance, and support that the deceased would have provided to their family members

Discuss Your Losses with a Kansas City Truck Accident Attorney

When a truck driver’s carelessness or a company’s negligence causes an accident, you deserve justice for the harm that you have experienced. At Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe, our attorneys won’t rest until we have recovered every dollar you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with our Kansas City truck accident lawyers.