Why Is the Insurance Company Delaying My Truck Accident Settlement?

Filing a claim for a truck accident requires patience and persistence. But, you also need to know when enough is enough. Insurance companies routinely delay accident victims’ and family members’ claims longer than they should. 

Why? Simply put, the insurance companies put their own best interests first. This means holding onto their funds as long as possible—and it often means hoping that accident victims and family members will give up on seeking the financial compensation they deserve. 

What To Do if the Insurance Company Is Refusing to Cover Your (or Your Loved One’s) Truck Accident

With this in mind, what can you do if the insurance company is delaying your truck accident settlement? Here are some important steps to take if the trucking company’s insurer is refusing to cover your (or your family’s) accident-related losses: 

1. Gather All Documentation Related to Your Claim

The first thing you should do is gather all of the documentation you have that is related to your insurance claim. This includes any formal letters you have received from the insurance company as well as emails, text messages, and other communications. As discussed below, you can (and should) hire a lawyer to help you in this scenario, and your lawyer will need to be able to get up to speed on everything that has happened with your claim to date. 

2. Continue Doing Your Part to Keep Your Claim Moving Forward 

Even if you are struggling to get answers from the insurance company, you still need to do your part to keep your claim moving forward. You do not want to give the insurance company an excuse to blame you for any delays. 

With that said, you also need to be very careful. For example, you should not sign a blanket release authorizing the insurance company to access your (or your loved one’s) medical records, and you should not sign anything else unless you are sure that it is in your best interests to do so. This is well within your rights, and the insurance company cannot put your claim on hold based on your refusal to sign something you are not legally required to sign.

3. Make Sure You Have Documentation of Your Accident-Related Losses 

When you have a claim after a truck accident, it is up to you to make sure you are seeking the full compensation you deserve. With this in mind, you should make sure you have documentation of your accident-related losses. This includes (but is not limited to):

• Medical bills
• Other out-of-pocket costs
• Loss of income, benefits, and future earnings
• Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
• Loss of companionship, consortium, society, support, and enjoyment of life

Importantly, if you don’t have documentation of all of your accident-related losses, you are not ready to settle your truck accident claim. If you don’t know how much you are entitled to recover, you have no way of making an informed decision about settlement. Once you hire a truck accident lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will be able to assist you with documenting all of the losses you are entitled to recover. 

4. Avoid Lashing Out on Social Media 

No matter how frustrated you might be, you need to avoid lashing out on social media. Making accusations against the insurance company will only make your situation worse—and, if you post anything the insurance company can use against you, it will not hesitate to do so. 

5. Talk to an Arkansas Truck Accident Lawyer About Your Claim 

If you are struggling to recover just compensation after a serious or fatal truck accident in Arkansas, there are several ways an experienced lawyer can help you. Once you hire a lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will be able to:

• Determine why the insurance company is refusing to provide coverage
• Calculate the full value of your truck accident claim 
• Present the evidence needed to seek a fair settlement on your behalf 
• Help you make an informed decision about settlement (if an offer is on the table)
• Take the insurance company to court if necessary 

These are just examples. Regardless of the circumstances involved, protecting your legal rights after a serious or fatal truck accident requires experienced legal representation. If you would like to know more, contact us for a free consultation today.

Schedule a FREE Case Evaluation with an Arkansas Truck Accident Lawyer at Oliver Law Firm

Dealing with insurance delays can feel exhausting, especially when you are trying to move forward after a serious accident. The good news is, you do not have to keep fighting the insurance company by yourself. Getting the right help can make the process clearer and take a lot of the pressure off your shoulders.

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