(866) 590-9773 
The Hidden Costs: Unseen Impacts of a Truck Accident in Virginia
If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident, you know all too well the immediate consequences of a devastating wreck, like painful injuries, expensive medical bills, lost time from work, and expensive repair costs. But what you might not realize yet is that there are many hidden costs of truck accidents, too. There are many direct and indirect costs that stem from truck accidents. These have a serious impact on your quality of life. When seeking truck accident compensation in Virginia, trust Kendall Law Firm to help you demand maximum compensation for all the costs associated with the accident – the ones you already know and the ones you’re about to learn about. Call us today to get started.
Physical and Emotional Impacts
Truck crashes are often catastrophic, and the long-term injury costs go beyond just your medical bills. The trauma of the collision itself, the pain and suffering afterward, and the worry and fear for the future can lead to mental health conditions. Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), situational anxiety, or depression, according to research published by the National Library of Medicine. Your changed mental state can have a longer impact on your life than your physical injuries. Healing can take years or longer, and mental health costs can be considerable.
If your physical abilities are impaired, as happens to many truck accident victims, then you’re likely adjusting to a new way to navigate the world. You may be unable to do activities you used to love, like jogging, golfing, or painting. Maybe your condition impacts your ability to travel or even complete activities of daily living and personal care. This loss in your quality of life can be deeply psychologically painful.
Although the compensation you may receive from a settlement or jury award cannot restore you to the physical and emotional state you were in before the truck collision, the money can alleviate some financial stressors you are experiencing. It can also help you pay for the care you need to live the fullest life possible. If someone else caused the accident that injured you, they owe you compensation for what they cost you.
Financial Implications
A truck accident’s financial impact starts with your medical bills. Many semi-truck accidents result in catastrophic injuries, often leaving the victim temporarily or even permanently disabled. Medical expenses in Virginia accidents, especially those from a truck collision, can easily reach into the six figures. This could include the cost of:
- An ambulance ride and hospital stay
- Surgery and aftercare in a skilled nursing facility
- Rehabilitative therapy
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medications and pain management
- Psychological care
Healing can take months – months during which you’re out of work and can’t earn a living. Your sick pay or PTO may quickly run out, and your disability benefits (if you have them) may not be enough to cover your bills. Your lost wages after a truck accident may leave you in debt or force you to borrow money to cover your family’s expenses.
You could face other financial issues even after you’re medically stable. If you’re disabled or otherwise unable to work in the same capacity as before the accident, you could also have reduced earning capacity. This means that since you’re not able to do the job you once did, you may have to work at a different job, which may not pay as much. Or, you may be on light duty or part-time as you heal. Either way, you’re not making the same wages as before the accident.
Many victims of a Virginia truck accident may see a serious diminishment in their career trajectory. Even if they heal from broken bones or bruising, head trauma, like a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or concussion, could leave them with permanent impairments. You deserve to be fairly compensated for the financial burden imposed by these direct costs.
A commercial truck accident can also bring on additional indirect costs. The psychological wounds from a truck accident can be serious. Research indicates many people develop mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, or PTSD after a serious accident, which can affect their ability to concentrate at work or school. Compensation from a truck accident claim can cover the full extent of these hidden or indirect costs.
Impact on Family and Dependents
The family impact from vehicle accidents, especially those that cause catastrophic injuries, cannot be overstated. The victim may be unable to fulfill their former role in the family, like as the primary breadwinner or caregiver for small children. Often, one family member is thrust into a caregiver role for their injured loved one, which disrupts the family dynamic, according to research. Relationships change in these conditions, sometimes irrevocably.
If a family member-turned-caregiver was working and had to reduce their hours to care for the truck accident victim or quit work altogether, the family finances could be significantly reduced. Alternatively, the family may choose to hire professional help, such as an in-home caregiver or home health aide. Such care is costly, often thousands of dollars per month.
Caregiver costs, coupled with a victim’s lost wages and earning potential, can quickly change a family’s financial picture from secure to precarious. A Virginia truck accident lawyer familiar with the hidden costs of a trucking accident can help you demand full compensation for all your financial losses.
How Kendall Law Firm Can Assist
After a collision, the truck driver’s insurance company might approach you with a settlement offer, and when you’re unable to work and facing steep medical bills, it could look attractive. In all likelihood, though, the settlement is a pittance compared to the full financial impact of the accident on your family. It might be enough to cover just your immediate loss and medical care, failing to take into account months or years of therapy you require to regain your abilities.
It also likely won’t cover your family’s full financial loss, including caregiver services or reduced earning potential. You’re also eligible to seek compensation for intangible losses, such as your pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damaged relationships or loss of consortium.
The Virginia truck accident lawyers at Kendall Law Firm understand the ripple effect of a truck accident and are prepared to dive deep into your case to explore the full value of your losses. We can use our knowledge of the law and decades of combined experience to properly value your case and demand the full amount you’re owed. Our personalized approach to your truck accident claim and our tenacious negotiation skills can benefit you when seeking compensation after an accident.
Contact Kendall Law Firm Today – Legal Assistance for Truck Accidents
With over 30 years of experience representing people like you, Kendall Law Firm has the knowledge and reputation you can trust with your case. We’re on your side and can help you seek the maximum settlement for your crash injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Virginia truck accident lawyer.