Dealing with the Insurance Company After a Truck Accident
If you were injured in a truck accident caused by another person’s negligence, you may be able to file a claim against the careless party for financial compensation. The claim you file is not directly against the negligent party but instead, the insurance company that represents them. Insurance companies are not interested in protecting accident victims after a crash. Instead, they focus on protecting their bottom line, which means reducing, denying, or delaying your claim. Below, our San Antonio truck accident lawyer outlines tips that can help you deal with the insurance company after a crash.
Do Not Agree to a Recorded Statement
It is not uncommon for insurance adjusters to ask accident victims for a recorded statement. They do this so they can take your own words out of context and use them against you. For example, you may say, “I am just so sorry the accident happened,” meaning that you only regret that the crash occurred at all. However, the insurer will take those words out of context and say that it is an admission of fault. They do this to reduce the total amount of damages they pay, or to deny your claim altogether.
Do Not Sign a Medical Release
The insurance company may also ask you to sign a medical release. They do this so they can access your medical records and comb through them. They look for pre-existing conditions they can blame for your injuries instead of the truck accident. Still, even if you have a pre-existing condition, you can claim compensation for it if the accident exacerbated it (made it worse).
Collect Strong Evidence
The stronger the evidence you can submit to the insurance company, the likelier it is that you will be successful with your claim. Some of the strongest types of evidence in truck accident claims include police reports, witness statements, medical records, photos, body camera videos, and dash camera video footage, and black box data from the truck.
Document All Losses
Insurance companies often challenge damages for medical expenses and lost income. To prove the full value of these losses, it is critical that you document all medical bills, lost wages, property damage estimates, and more. These records will prove your damages to the insurance company so they cannot reduce your claim.
Do Not Accept the First Offer
In the days following an accident, the insurance adjuster may contact you. They will seem friendly and eager to help. They may even offer a settlement. They are hoping that you are desperate for any compensation and so, you will accept the first offer they make before you know the full extent of your injuries. They know that the nature of these types of injuries, like neck and back pain from whiplash following a car crash, often have a delayed onset and often become increasingly worse over time. The first offer is never enough to fully cover the losses you sustained from a crash. Always ask a lawyer to review any settlement offer before you sign an agreement. Once you accept an offer, you can never come back later and ask for more money if you later find out that your injuries are more serious than you anticipated.
Our Truck Accident Lawyer in San Antonio Can Deal with the Insurer for You
Dealing with the insurance company is never easy after a crash. At the Law Office of Israel Garcia, our San Antonio truck accident lawyer can negotiate with the insurer on your behalf so your settlement and future well-being are not at risk. Call us today at 210-LAW-9999 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
