Trucks are an integral part of the US economy; unfortunately, they’re also involved in many accidents every year. Truck accidents cause extensive damage to both life and property, costing the government millions of dollars every year.
It’s important to hire a skilled 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer to handle the aftermath of such accidents, as they can be challenging to handle without professional support. Insurance companies play a critical role in truck accidents, and in this article, we’ll discuss how they handle these accidents.
What to do after an accident
Get medical attention: The first thing you should do if you’ve been in an accident with an 18-wheeler is seek medical attention. Documenting your injuries is essential not only to your safety but also to the accident claims process.
Report the accident: Next, you should report the accident to law enforcement and your insurance provider. Each agency will typically conduct its own investigation to determine the course of events, liable parties, and costs involved.
Hire a lawyer: Once you’re out of harm’s way, it’s important to hire a good lawyer to represent you, as dealing with insurance companies can get tricky.
How insurance companies handle truck accidents
Typically, the insurance company will send out investigators and other agents who will talk to the parties involved to get their statements. They may also talk to law enforcement and witnesses who may have been present on the scene and make their own report of the case.
Insurance companies may also employ their own experts to determine the individual costs of an accident, for example, a car mechanic to determine the cost of damage to the car, medical experts to assess injuries to victims, and so on.
It is important to note that insurance adjusters are notorious for using shady tactics to lower the payout to the victim. They may do things like delay the investigation, delay the payout, or trick the victim into accepting fault. It’s important for accident victims to be wary of such tactics and not accept a low settlement.
Tips to avoid receiving a low settlement
The first thing you can do for yourself is to hire a good lawyer to represent you. Lawyers will be familiar with the tactics employed by insurance companies and can help you avoid a low payout. It’s important that you don’t talk to insurance agents without your lawyer present.
You must be cautious of what you say around insurance agents, as they can use a casual phrase like “I’m fine” to claim that your injuries are not serious. It’s important not to provide them with unnecessary details about your injuries. Do not agree to a settlement without first discussing it with your lawyer.
You should also make sure that all the damages involved in the accident are included in your claim, such as medical bills and rehabilitation costs. Make sure that the damages are evaluated by a professional so that you can get the right amount of compensation. It is also essential to check the details of your insurance policy to see what is covered and what is not.
Conclusion
Truck accidents are a costly affair for all those involved. It’s important to remember that truck companies are required by federal regulations to have an insurance policy, and these typically cover the injuries to the driver and the damage caused to the other parties. However, insurance companies are not above using shady tactics to avoid paying victims, which is why it’s important to hire a lawyer to represent you.
A good lawyer can help ensure that you get the right compensation and avoid any traps laid by insurance agents to get you to admit fault for the accident. Stay safe, and remember your rights out there.
Hayden Richards is Contributor of IntelligentHQ. He specialises in finance, trading, investment, and technology, with expertise in both buy-side, sell-side. Contributing and advising various global corporations, Hayden is a thought leader, researching on global regulatory subjects, digital, social media strategies and new trends for Businesses, Capital Markets and Financial Services.
Aside from the articles, interviews and content he writes for IntelligentHQ, Hayden is also a content curator for capital markets, analytic platforms and business industry emerging trends. An avid new media explorer Hayden is driven by a passion for business development, innovation, social business, Tech Trading, payments and eCommerce. A native Trinidadian, Hayden is also a veteran, having served with the Royal Air Force Reserves for the past 10 years.
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