How Much Is My New York Truck Accident Claim Worth?
Truck accidents can be devastating. After all, there is little anyone can do in the face of a 3-ton vehicle barrelling towards them. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) estimates that there were 4,657 fatal truck crashes in the year 2017 alone. Truck accident victims may have to deal with serious personal injuries, exorbitant medical expenses, and even emotional trauma. Fortunately, recovery is possible.
Recovering Damages in a New York Truck Accident Claim
Just like people, no two truck accidents are the same. The amount you can recover will depend on the specifics of your case. In any case, you may receive compensation for both economic and non-economic losses alike. Every successful personal injury case awards the victim with compensatory damages, or “damages that compensate the injured victim for injuries actually endured.” Victims of particularly egregious accidents may also receive punitive damages, which exist to punish the liable party for their outrageous misconduct.
Economic Damages in a New York Truck Accident Claim
In a personal injury case, “economic damages” are those easily quantifiable losses you have 
suffered as a result of your accident. Some of the most common economic damages include, but are not limited to:
- Lost wages. Many injuries leave victims unable to work for some time. Any day that the victim cannot attend to their job duties will leave them with missed wages while they wait to recover.
- Medical costs. It is not uncommon for truck accidents to leave victims with serious injuries—and serious expenses.
- Property damages. A truck is no match for any standard vehicle. Victims may be entitled to compensation for their car repairs or if the vehicle is declared a total loss, the fair market value of the pre-accident property.
Non-Economic Damages in a New York Truck Accident Claim
“Non-economic damages” refer to more generalized damages that are not as easily quantifiable as economic damages. Some of the most common non-economic damages include, but are not limited to:
- Disability or disfigurement. Unfortunately, truck accidents sometimes leave victims with lifelong scars or disabilities. This can be an extraordinarily psychologically taxing event to affect you for the rest of your years. You may be entitled to compensation to “reverse” any disfigurement or to better accommodate yourself to your new disabilities.
- Pain and suffering. Pain and suffering can be both physical and emotional as long as it was a direct result of the accident. It may include emotional trauma, limitation of personal activities, and potential shortening of life (among other factors). You may receive pain and suffering damages on a per-diem basis or via the “multiple method.”
Seeking Legal Help
Were you or a loved one recently injured in a truck accident? We at Gattuso & Ciottoli, PLLC may be able to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced New York truck accident attorneys. We draw on over 50 years of combined legal experience to serve personal injury victims as best we can. We proudly serve the Central New York area, including Syracuse, Syracuse, Watertown, Binghamton, North Syracuse, Camillus, Liverpool, Cortland, and Auburn.