You have just been involved in a trucking accident where an 18-wheeler sideswiped your four-door sedan. On the one hand, you are thankful to be alive. But your car is totaled, and you are left with several injuries. As you try to get your wits about you and seek medical attention, the insurance companies start calling. While you are the victim and don’t mind being forthcoming, you cannot help but wonder if answering questions and handling insurance negotiations alone is in your best interests.

Working with insurance companies after a trucking accident is necessary for the personal injury claim process. In fact, you can and should report the accident to your insurance provider. That said, dealing with insurance companies for everything that happens next—especially negotiations—can be overwhelming. Letting your personal injury attorney take the wheel is better in these situations.

Please Speak With My Attorney

Few trucking accident victims realize they do not have to go into great detail or provide a recorded statement to insurance companies without legal representation. Hopefully, you are already working with a skilled and compassionate personal injury attorney. Their job is to aggressively fight for the compensation you need for medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repairs, and more after a trucking accident. This includes representing you in court, if necessary, negotiating with insurance companies, and counseling you on what to say and what not to say. So, when you receive calls from the insurance company, it is OK to say, “Please direct all questions to my attorney.”

Here are several reasons why you shouldn’t handle insurance negotiations alone.

They are not looking out for you — Trucking companies often carry large insurance policies and employ adjusters that can seem very friendly and helpful. But make no mistake about it; their goal is not to do what makes the most sense for your needs. Instead, they want to minimize payouts and protect their bottom line.
Your words can be used against you — For instance, they could ask how you feel as a general icebreaker question. If you say something harmless like, “I’m feeling OK,” they could twist that and use it to downplay your injuries. The bottom line is that anything you say could be used to undermine your claim.
Pressure tactics — Many insurance companies might lure you or a loved one into accepting a quick settlement before you realize the full extent of your injuries. If you do this, the amount they offer you likely won’t fully cover your expenses.
You’re up against aggressive legal teams — A significant downside to handling insurance negotiations on your own after a trucking accident is that it could be you versus large legal teams skilled at protecting their client from excess liability. One of their tactics might be to use your words against you. They could also shift the blame onto you.
Determining liability is a complex matter — Unlike traditional car wrecks in the Quad Cities, truck accidents involve more than just the truck driver and any other driver involved. Other key players include the trucking company, cargo loaders, maintenance providers, and vehicle or parts manufacturers. This makes determining actual liability that much more important. Utilizing an attorney gives you access to expert witnesses, accident reconstruction specialists, and other tactics that protect your rights.

What Should You Do Instead?

The first thing you should do after a trucking accident is seek medical attention. Even if you are not in pain or feel as though your injuries are minor, it is better to relax and allow medical personnel and law enforcement to be the judge of that. Injuries such as whiplash or internal trauma may not be evident at first and could cause additional complications if left untreated. Plus, a medical evaluation is critical for linking your injuries to the accident. From there, your role is to report the accident but only provide the basic facts.

Do not give recorded statements and avoid discussing fault in any way.

Also, do not accept a quick settlement. While these are enticing, it is better to speak to an attorney first.

At Keys Law, we will work tirelessly to investigate your case, identify all responsible parties, and hold them accountable for your injuries and losses. We will also work with accident reconstruction specialists and other experts to build a strong case that supports your compensation claim. The bottom line is that you deserve compassionate and knowledgeable legal advice, and we are here to help.

Call Keys Law Offices Today!!

Large truck accidents can occur for various reasons, including fatigue, distracted driving, speeding, inadequate training, and drug and alcohol use. Sometimes, the truck company can be liable for the accident if it fails to maintain or inspect the truck properly or violates federal or state regulations. At Keys Law Offices, we are dedicated to representing victims of truck accidents and their families, including those involving semi-trucks.

We understand the complex legal and regulatory issues involved in truck accident cases, and we know how to investigate and litigate these cases to ensure that our clients get the compensation they deserve. Please do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation.

Our staff is always available. Call us today!