The size discrepancy between tractor-trailers and other vehicles on the road is why most injuries and deaths in tractor-trailer accidents occur to other users of the roadway instead of the truck drivers themselves. Nearly 70 percent of injuries and fatalities in tractor-trailer accidents happen to the occupants of other vehicles. The damages in this type of accident are often very severe and can impact your entire life in several ways. Profound Medical Expenses Two of the most severe injuries that can occur in a tractor-trailer accident involve damage to the brain and the spinal cord, which make up the body’s central nervous system and are known for producing a high number of complications and permanent impacts. The lifetime costs of medically treating a traumatic brain injury range between $85,000 and $3 million. Spinal cord injuries can result in lifetime medical costs of between $1 million and $4 million. Any injury that requires medical treatment can easily result in thousands of dollars worth of expenses. Loss of Future Earning Capacity Many injuries will cause the sufferer to miss work while they are recovering. However, specific injuries, such as those involving the brain or spinal cord, can produce permanent disabilities that prevent the person from earning an income. Impacts on Your Quality of Life Serious injuries can have profound impacts on your quality of life, such as: The inability to participate in activities or hobbies you formerly enjoyed The loss of self-confidence or favorable self-image results from visible or disfiguring injuries Changed relationships with family members, who are often relied on to provide care for an injured loved one The loss of physical intimacy and companionship with spouses or romantic partners commonly experienced after a severe injury The Loss of a Loved One Losing a loved one in a tractor-trailer accident is not only emotionally devastating but can be financially devastating as well. Family members of those who die in truck accidents often incur medical bills resulting from the treatment of their loved one’s final injuries, as well as the expenses of a funeral and burial or cremation. They can face the loss of the financial support their loved one provided to the family and the loss of inheritance for the deceased’s children. Seeking Compensation for What You Lost in a Tractor-Trailer Accident Individuals who have been injured or have lost a loved one due to a tractor-trailer accident can seek compensation for the many impacts and expenses discussed above through the personal injury or wrongful death claims process. This process generally begins when your attorney submits a demand package to the at-fault party’s insurance provider. Because many liable parties could not afford to compensate someone else’s expenses and impacts from an injury or loss of a loved one out-of-pocket, insurance policies are the sources of payment in nearly all personal injury and wrongful death claims. Upon receiving the demand, the at-fault party’s insurance adjuster can: Accept the liability of their insured and pay the claim as submitted. If this occurs, then your claim has been resolved. Deny the insured’s liability and provide a reason for the denial to the claimant. If the insurer denies your claim, you and your attorney will likely consider filing the claim in court as a lawsuit. Accept some liability on the part of their insured and offer a settlement for less than what you demanded. If this occurs, your attorney will help you discern if the amount offered is reasonable or if your attorney should negotiate with them to obtain a higher offer.