Should I Talk to the Trucking Company’s Insurance Company After a Crash?

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, seeking compensation for your losses will most likely involve dealing with the trucking company’s insurance company. Most truck accidents result from either truck driver negligence or an issue with the truck itself, and this means that, in most cases, the trucking company (or its insurer) can be held fully accountable. 

But, does this mean that you should talk to the trucking company’s insurance company after a crash?

While talking to an insurance adjuster might seem like the first step in the process, this can potentially prove to be a very costly mistake. When you have a claim for a truck accident, you need to be very careful, as saying the wrong thing could leave you without the financial compensation you deserve. 

Why Hire a Lawyer to Deal with the Trucking Company’s Insurance Company?

With this in mind, rather than talking to an insurance adjuster yourself, we strongly recommend hiring a lawyer to deal with the trucking company’s insurer for you. Here are five important reasons why: 

1. You Need to Be Very Careful to Avoid Saying the Wrong Thing

As we said above, you need to be very careful to avoid saying the wrong thing. When you talk to the trucking company’s insurance company on the phone, everything you say will be recorded; and, when you send texts or emails, everything you write will go into your claim file. If you say or write anything that the trucking company’s insurance company can use to dispute your claim, you can expect to have your own words used against you. 

When you hire a lawyer to handle your truck accident claim, your lawyer will communicate with the insurance adjuster on your behalf. You can rely on your lawyer’s advice and representation to avoid costly mistakes, and you can feel confident knowing that your lawyer has your best interests in mind. 

2. The Insurance Adjuster is Not on Your Side (Even if He or She Says Otherwise)

This brings us to our next point: The trucking company’s insurance company is not on your side—even if an adjuster says otherwise. When you file a truck accident claim, the insurance company’s goal is to pay you as little as possible. As an employee of the insurance company, the adjuster’s role is to help mitigate the insurance company’s liability. This means working to ensure that any payout you receive is no larger than absolutely necessary. 

3. It Is Up to You to Protect Your Legal Rights 

As a truck accident victim, it is up to you to protect your legal rights. The trucking company’s insurance company doesn’t have to protect your legal rights for you—it doesn’t even have to tell you what legal rights you have. 

This is yet another reason not to try to deal with the insurance company on your own. If you don’t know your legal rights, you won’t be able to protect them effectively. Your lawyer will be able to explain everything you need to know, and your lawyer will be able to help make sure the insurance company doesn’t take advantage of you. 

4. It Is Up to You to Seek the Compensation You Deserve 

Another important fact that many accident victims don’t realize is that the trucking company’s insurance company does not have to calculate your losses for you. Rather, it is up to you to seek the compensation you deserve. To file a successful claim, you must have clear documentation of your financial and non-financial losses, and you must be able to convince the insurance company to pay. Each of these steps requires experienced legal representation. 

5. You May Be Entitled to Far More Compensation Than You Realize 

Finally, the most important reason not to deal with the trucking company’s insurance company on your own is that you may be entitled to far more than you realize. The long-term financial and non-financial costs of traumatic injuries can be substantial. Determining the value of your claim also requires experienced legal representation, and if you try to handle your claim on your own, you will almost certainly end up with far less than you deserve.

Get Help from an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer at Oliver Law Firm in Rogers, AR

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck accident, you don’t have to face the insurance companies alone. Trucking companies and their insurers are quick to protect their interests, so you need someone just as aggressive on your side. At Oliver Law Firm, we have the experience and resources to stand up for accident victims and fight for the compensation they deserve. 

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