Negotiating a Settlement after a Commercial Truck Accident

If you, or a loved one, are involved in a commercial truck accident, you will come into contact with an insurance company – whether it be your own or the opposing party’s. Since insurance companies are always involved in commercial truck accidents (due to state and Federal regulations), they have a tendency to place specific values on injuries. For example, certain head injuries may dictate certain levels of compensation whereas a lower-back injury or broken bone will certainly require a different level of compensation.

Insurance Companies Will “Low-Ball” Their Truck Accident Settlement Offer

Many times, in a commercial truck accident, medical injuries are not immediately apparent. Instead, injuries are latent and will not appear for some time after the accident, or are chronic conditions that may worsen over time. This is why insurance adjusters are so eager to settle your personal injury claim quickly.

If the insurance adjusters can convince you or your loved one to sign a settlement agreement early on in the process, the insurance company can avoid being held liable at trial for all past and future medical expenses. Signing this settlement agreement early on usually prevents you from filing a personal injury lawsuit should related injuries or conditions appear later.

A Truck Accident Attorney Can Negotiate a Better Settlement

Rushing through your personal injury lawsuit into settlement to avoid red tape after a commercial truck accident is the wrong answer.

Insurance companies will fight to pay as little as possible while leaving the burden of the case on the victim. If this is your first experience with a commercial truck accident, a personal injury lawsuit, or an insurance company, you are likely wholly unfamiliar with what is expected and insurance companies know this.

It is crucial that you do not accept the insurance carrier’s evaluation of your damage or injury unless you are confident it is correct. Should you accept the offer, you may be writing off any recovery you are owed for any hidden or latent damage and injury.

An experienced truck accident lawyer will work into your claim the possibility of your injuries becoming more severe over time – even disabling. He or she will demonstrate with expert testimony that the medical care you require today might not be the medical care you require in the future. Therefore, taking into account your future medical bills and financial responsibilities. That being said, it is vital you wait and determine:

• The extent of your injuries as not everything will be immediately apparent;
• Both the short and long term medical care that may be necessary;
• The affect on both your job and personal life; and the
• Psychological toll.

All the above factors must be taken into consideration to ensure you receive the recovery to which you’re entitled. A skilled truck accident attorney will be able to counter any low ball offers you receive from the opposing party’s insurance company with what is fair given the extent of your case. Your truck accident lawyer will advise you of your options between settlement and trial while always keeping your best interests in focus.