How to Deal With Insurance Companies After a Truck Accident

Dealing with insurance companies after a truck accident can be one of the most challenging parts of recovering from a serious crash. Unfortunately, even in devastating circumstances, insurance companies often prioritize their own bottom line, using tactics to minimize or deny compensation to victims and their families. 

But, you can protect yourself; and, with the right approach, you can seek the compensation you and your loved ones deserve. With this in mind, here are some tips for dealing with the insurance companies after a truck accident in Arkansas: 

Tip #1: Don’t Make Any Assumptions 

When you are dealing with insurance companies after a truck accident, you need to be very careful to avoid making assumptions. This includes making assumptions about what happened or who is to blame. Determining liability in a truck accident requires a comprehensive investigation; and, until you engage a law firm to conduct an investigation, the reality is that you simply don’t have the information you need to determine who might be responsible. 

Tip #2: Don’t Be Afraid to Say “I Don’t Know”

With this in mind, you should not be afraid to say “I don’t know.” This is likely to be the right answer in many circumstances, and the insurance companies cannot punish you for lacking the information you need to make informed decisions. 

On the other hand, if you say something that isn’t true, they can—and will—use this against you. For example, even if you don’t yet have all of the facts, if you say that you think the accident might have been your fault, this could make it much more difficult to obtain the full compensation you deserve. 

Tip #3: Don’t Rely on the Insurance Adjusters’ “Advice” 

As you work to move on from the truck accident, you should avoid relying on the insurance adjusters’ “advice.” Any advice they give you will be based on the insurance companies’ best interests, not yours. For example, while they might say that giving a recorded statement will help the insurance companies evaluate your claim, the reality is that this is little more than a tactic to try to use your own words against you. 

Tip #4: Document All Communications with the Insurance Companies 

Given that the insurance companies are not on your side, you should do your best to document all communications. Communicate in writing whenever possible, and keep all text messages and voicemails you receive. If you talk to an adjuster on the phone, take detailed notes about what you discussed. In the event that the insurance companies attempt to change their position or go back on something they said previously, this documentation could prove critical. 

Tip #5: Be Very Careful About the Information You Share 

When you have an insurance claim after a truck accident, it is important to be very careful about the information you share. For example, if you give the insurance companies authorization to access your medical records, they may go through your medical history to see if they can claim that you have a pre-existing condition. Or, if you share that you have concerns about causing the accident (even if your concerns are unfounded), they may use this against you as we discussed above.

Tip #6: Be Very Careful About Accepting Payment 

In light of everything we’ve discussed thus far, you also need to be very careful about accepting payment from the insurance companies after a truck accident. If you accept payment, you could waive your right to seek additional compensation. Until you know how much you are entitled to receive for your out-of-pocket costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses, accepting payment could mean settling for just a fraction of the total compensation you are rightfully owed. 

Tip #7: Hire an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer to Help You

Given the challenges involved in dealing with the insurance companies, it is strongly in your best interests to have an experienced lawyer on your side. Hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer costs nothing out-of-pocket, and your lawyer will be able to use his or her experience to help make sure the insurance companies do not take advantage of you. 

Discuss Your Case with an Arkansas Truck Accident Lawyer at Oliver Law Firm 

If you need to know more about protecting your legal rights after a truck accident in Arkansas, we encourage you to contact us promptly. Oliver Law Firm has built a reputation for excellence in trucking cases across Arkansas and throughout the United States. We aren’t intimidated by big trucking companies or their insurers, and we don’t6 back down from a fight.

Contact Oliver Law Firm today online or at 479-202-5200 for a FREE case evaluation. We serve clients throughout Arkansas and throughout the United States from our office in Rogers, AR.