Out-of-Pocket Expenses

If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident, you may soon start to see bills piling up. You might also be paying for things out of your own pocket that you think the insurance company is responsible for, and you might be right. 

Keep your receipts, as you might be able to be reimbursed for these out-of-pocket expenses. Continue reading to learn more about how out-of-pocket expenses come into play in a truck accident. 

Damages Generally in a Truck Accident Case

Truck accident cases, like most personal injury cases, are primarily concerned with returning accident victims to the position they would have been in had they not been injured in the accident (sometimes referred to as “making the plaintiff whole”). 

Because trucks are so much larger than passenger cars, collisions between these two sets of vehicles tend to result in more serious injuries to the smaller vehicle’s occupants, potentially resulting in greater damages or losses.

Awarding financial compensation might often be the only practical way to make the victim whole after a truck accident, so the most common type of damages is called “compensatory damages.” The amount of compensatory damages available in a case depends greatly on many factors, including the type of accident and the type and severity of the victim’s injuries. 

Economic Damages vs. Non-Economic Damages

Compensatory damages are typically divided into two categories: economic and non-economic. Since truck accidents tend to result in serious injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for both your economic and non-economic damages. 

Economic damages are easier to quantify and aim to compensate victims for the financial losses resulting from the accident. Non-economic damages cover personal losses. They are more subjective and cannot be as easily quantified.

The Role of Insurance in Damages

Florida uses a no-fault system for motor vehicle accident cases, so injured victims may initially turn to their own insurance provider to pay for their losses. However, benefits are typically limited even with mandatory personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. 

At-fault drivers are responsible for paying for the economic damages they cause above your PIP coverage, and you may need to pursue compensation from them to get reimbursed for your out-of-pocket expenses. 

Common Out-of-Pocket Expenses in Truck Accident Cases

Out-of-pocket expenses are a form of economic damages because they typically have a set value that you can prove relatively easily with a receipt or other similar documentation. You should always keep any documentation associated with your out-of-pocket expenses because it may become important in calculating how much your truck accident case is worth. 

Personal injury victims may be able to seek reimbursement for the following out-of-pocket expenses:

Medical Expenses 

Even if your insurance covers some of your medical costs, you still might be paying for some of them, such as:

• Co-pays
• Deductibles
• Medical equipment
• In-home care
• Over-the-counter medications and supplies

Keep all receipts related to the medical costs you’ve paid due to your injuries.

Transportation Expenses 

You may have to rent a car, pay for rideshare services, or use public transportation if your vehicle was severely damaged in a truck accident. You can usually seek reimbursement for these additional expenses you’ve incurred while your vehicle is being repaired. 

Travel Expenses  

You can also typically seek compensation for your travel costs to and from doctor appointments and other medical visits. If your care requires overnight stays, you can also keep your hotel bills and submit them to the insurance company for reimbursement. 

Support Services

Truck accidents can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and other severe injuries that limit your ability to work or complete routine activities around the home. 

You might be able to seek compensation for the costs you paid to hire someone to:

• Take care of your children
• Cook your meals
• Clean your home
• Mow your lawn 

Some of these tasks may be handled through app services, so keep screenshots and other records related to your payment for these services.

Home and Vehicle Modifications

A serious injury from a truck accident can result in temporary or permanent disability or impairment. You may need to make modifications to your home to accommodate a disability, such as adding a wheelchair ramp, installing a wheelchair lift, or widening doorways to accommodate a wheelchair. You may also need to modify your vehicle, such as adding a motorized lift for an electric wheelchair.

An experienced truck accident attorney can help identify which of the costs you incurred due to your injuries could be included in your demand for compensation.

Call Our Experienced Jacksonville Truck Accident Lawyers for Help Identifying and Calculating Your Out-of-Pocket Expenses

If you were injured due to the negligence of a truck driver, trucking company, or other party, you shouldn’t have to pay the consequences. The legal team at the Truck Accident Law Firm can help identify, calculate, and demand fair compensation for all of your damages, including your out-of-pocket costs. 
Contact us or call us at 888-511-8782 today to get started with a free case review. Our Jacksonville truck accident attorneys are ready to help.