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Which Types of Damages Can You be Reimbursed for if You Were Injured in a Truck Accident?

Tractor-Trailer Wreck Attorney Representing Victims in Knoxville and East Tennessee

While a truck driver may walk away from an East Tennessee truck accident totally unscathed, there may be many people in smaller vehicles who are seriously injured or killed. Victims may face significant medical bills and may need time off work. They may be anxious about how they will pay for all of these new costs and cope with their physical and emotional pain. You may be wondering about which types of damages you may be able to receive in this situation. Knoxville truck accident lawyer Mark Hartsoe understands the challenges that you are facing and can advise you on your options.

Which Types of Damages May You Receive After a Truck Accident?

After accidents that are caused by a truck driver's negligence or wrongful actions, you may be able to recover compensatory damages. These are damages that are intended to make you whole or put you back in the position where you would have been had the accident not happened. You may recover both economic and noneconomic damages in Tennessee.

Economic damages are typically tangible and documented damages that arise out of a crash. They may include past and future medical costs, past and future wage loss, loss of earning capacity, vocational rehabilitation and other forms of rehabilitation, and property damage. Although you cannot know for certain exactly what your future damages will be, Mark Hartsoe can retain experts who can credibly predict your lifespan and what you would have been likely to earn had you not suffered serious injuries. In a wrongful death action, economic damages may include funeral and burial expenses.

Noneconomic damages are intangible losses that a jury believes would naturally flow from injuries of the kind that you suffered. They may include pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment, scarring and disfigurement, and loss of consortium. In a wrongful death action, these damages may include loss of love, guidance, and affection for certain family members.

The attorney whom you choose may make a big difference to the noneconomic damages that you receive. Mark Hartsoe will not only fully explore the scope of your damages but also skillfully tell your story so that the jury understands the extent to which your noneconomic losses have affected you.

In Tennessee, punitive damages are awarded only if a jury finds that the plaintiff proved through clear and convincing evidence that a defendant acted either recklessly, intentionally, maliciously, or fraudulently. While most truck crash cases do not warrant punitive damages, they may be appropriate when a truck driver was drunk behind the wheel or a trucking company retained a truck driver despite knowing that they abused alcohol or drugs. Tennessee caps punitive damages at either $500,000 or twice the amount of the compensatory damages.

Retain Knoxville Lawyer Mark Hartsoe Following a Truck Accident

Truck accidents may be truly devastating for victims. If a wreck results in injuries or death, Knoxville truck accident attorney Mark Hartsoe is ready to fight for your rights. Call the Hartsoe Law Firm at 865-804-1011 or contact us via our online form for a free consultation. Mark Hartsoe represents people who need a motor vehicle collision attorney throughout East Tennessee, including in Knox, Blount, Monroe, Loudon, Jefferson, Grainger, Cocke, Campbell, Hamblen, Greene, Anderson, Cumberland, and Fentress Counties.


Client Reviews
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I was on my way to Atlanta and a huge truck rear-ended me and knocked me off the side of the road. I was scared. Didn’t know what to do. I tried working with the insurance company. They are just difficult to work with. I had to call somebody to take care of me. So, My brother told me to call Mark Hartsoe. As soon as I called Mark Hartsoe, he let me know real quick that everything was going to be okay and that he would take care of everything. And, he did. He got me a great settlement. He took the worry off of me. Mickey Anderson
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I was hit coming home late at night by a drunk driver who took off. And the next day I was able to track down his vehicle and get the state police involved. At that point, a family friend recommended that I talk to Mark Hartsoe. Pretty much at that point, Mark handled the police, the insurance company and the guy who hit me. Settled with the actual person that hit me. Outside of that, everything came out great. Did not have to go to court. Got a great settlement. Got my car replaced. Got a check. Mark Hartsoe is my lawyer. Nate Holder
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I was involved in a motorcycle accident. It was a head-on collision. I broke my arm, injured by knee. I was out of work for a long time and had medical bills, other expenses. A personal friend handed me a card for Mark Hartsoe. I called Mark Hartsoe from the side of the road and he took care of everything. My case was settled out of court. I received a great settlement. Bike was totaled, motorcycle was replaced. It was easy, painless. About as painless as something like this can be. This is why my lawyer is Mark Hartsoe. John Lusinger
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I wanted to thank you for the excellent representation and your ability to handle the situation so well with such compassion and strength. We appreciate all of your help, concern and for answering my many questions. It has been a difficult road to travel but when we come across people like you, it really helps to lighten the load. We just wanted you to know how much we appreciate what you’ve done and your ability to handle the situation so well. S. Carter
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Thank you so much for all the work you did on our case. We received more than we expected. You were great through the whole time from the first meeting until the last. Thank you so very much. Sam & Judy Kachar
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