Types of Damages You Can Recover After a Truck Accident

Mounting hospital bills. Time off work you can’t afford. Chronic pain that won’t go away. A wrecked car. Sleepless nights replaying the crash over and over.

After a truck wreck, you deserve more than just a quick settlement.

At 1-800-Truckwreck, we know what’s at stake after a serious truck wreck. Your recovery isn’t just physical—it’s financial, emotional, and personal. That’s why we fight for every dollar you deserve.

Here’s what you need to know about the types of damages you can recover—and how we’ll fight to maximize them on your behalf.

What Types of Damages Can You Recover After a Truck Accident?

When you’ve been injured in a truck wreck, you’re entitled to seek compensation for every way the crash has impacted your life—not just your medical bills. These damages typically fall into three major categories:

• Compensatory damages (for your real, tangible losses)
• Punitive damages (to punish the trucking company or driver)
• Wrongful death damages (for families who have lost a loved one)

A skilled truck accident lawyer from 1-800-Truckwreck can help you recover everything you’re owed—and not let the insurance companies minimize or ignore your suffering.

Compensatory Damages in a Truck Wreck Injury Claim

Compensatory damages are designed to make you whole again—as much as money can.

They include:

• Medical Expenses: Payment for ambulance rides, hospital stays, surgeries, prescriptions, rehab, physical therapy, counseling, and any future care you’ll need. Example: a client who required multiple surgeries and lifetime spinal injections could recover full past and future medical costs.
• Lost Wages: Recovery for the money you lost while recovering—and for any future reduction in your earning ability. Example: a client permanently unable to return to construction work could get compensation for lifelong lost income.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical agony, emotional trauma, and life disruptions you experience. Example: chronic back pain, PTSD from crash trauma, loss of mobility, inability to enjoy previous hobbies.

Every case is different, and every injury affects your life differently. That’s why we take the time to document your full story—not just your bills.

Punitive Damages: Holding Reckless Trucking Companies Accountable

A crash is hardly ever an "accident"—but when it’s the result of reckless, dangerous behavior, that deserves punishment. Punitive damages are designed to send a message that this kind of behavior won’t be tolerated. Here are some examples of cases where punitive damages may apply:

• A trucking company forced a driver to falsify logbooks and drive past legal hour limits, causing a deadly wreck
• A truck driver operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• A company knowingly sending unsafe, poorly maintained trucks out on Dallas roads to save money

Punitive damages aren't awarded in every case—but when they are, they can multiply your recovery significantly.

Wrongful Death Damages: Seeking Justice for Your Family

If you lost a loved one in a truck wreck, no amount of money can undo your pain. But a wrongful death claim can help your family:

• Cover funeral and burial expenses
• Recover the financial support your loved one would have provided
• Seek compensation for your emotional loss and grief

Families deserve justice—not just for closure, but to rebuild their futures after tragedy.

Property Damage: Getting You Back on the Road

Beyond injuries, you have the right to recover for your damaged property, including:

• Full repair or replacement value for your vehicle
• Rental car expenses
• Loss of personal property inside your vehicle (phones, laptops, child seats)

A truck wreck can destroy more than your car—it can destroy your way of getting to work, picking up your kids, and living your life. We fight to make sure every loss is accounted for and covered.

Digging for Dirt: Finding the Evidence That Makes Them Pay

After a truck wreck, trucking companies and their insurers do everything they can to hide the truth. At 1-800-Truckwreck, we don’t just take their word for it—we dig for the real story. Through our Digging for Dirt program, we uncover:

• Hidden safety violations
• Falsified driver logs
• Missed maintenance and faulty equipment
• Patterns of reckless behavior trucking companies hope you’ll never see

This isn’t just paperwork—it’s the proof that forces them to pay full damages.

Sometimes, it’s what makes the difference between a basic settlement and a major financial recovery, including punitive damages when gross negligence is exposed.

Contact Our Dallas Truck Accident Lawyers Today to Recover the Damages You Deserve

If you've been injured in a truck wreck in Dallas, don't settle for less than you're owed—and don't trust insurance companies to tell you what's fair.

‍Contact the attorneys at 1-800-Truckwreck today for a free consultation with our experienced truck accident attorneys. We’ll break down your full list of recoverable damages, build the strongest possible case, and fight for every dollar you deserve.