Dealing with the aftermath of an accident with a truck can be a headache. Most of the stress comes from the fact that you’ll be dealing with the trucking company’s insurance company and its immense resources.
That’s one reason why it’s so helpful to bring in your own resources with an Indiana truck accident attorney. But regardless of how you proceed with your claim, here are some tips for dealing with interactions with the trucking company and their insurance company.
Tips for Working with a Trucking Company’s Insurance
The team at Stewart & Stewart recommends following these tips for dealing with a trucking company’s insurance provider.
1. Avoid Giving Too Much Information
Only answer questions relevant to the specific crash details or information that is documented in the police report. You can simply state that you aren’t comfortable answering a question or need to defer to your attorney. If you don’t have an attorney, just decline to answer it even if the insurance company presses you to do so.
2. Don’t Provide a Recorded Statement
Your attorney should handle making statements for you or at least be present when you give a statement and answer the insurance company’s questions. Some questions are leading to try and get more information from you than you would provide otherwise.
3. Proceed with Caution
When it comes to trucking entities or insurance companies that protect them, remember that these entities are no different from any other company or insurance provider out there. Their goal is to make money, which means limiting what they pay after you file a claim.
That insurance company is not looking to protect your interests. You didn’t pay premiums for that policy, nor will you pay them in the future. The companies are trying to minimize their financial exposure, which means saving money at your expense.
Keep that in mind if the insurance company is pressing you with questions and asking you to make a recorded statement. Don’t agree to be recorded no matter how hard the company presses you.
4. Ask Questions to a Trusted Advisor, Not the Insurance Company
Working through a trucking accident is challenging and probably something you’ve never experienced. At the end of the day, it’s always worthwhile to take your questions to an attorney. The insurance company is not your friend and they can use your questions against you and take advantage of your vulnerability as a victim. A free consultation with an attorney can at least provide you with information about whether you’re headed in the right direction with your claim.
5. Know What the Law Says You’re Entitled To
Victims can pursue a wide range of economic and non-economic damages. That includes expenses you have receipts for, such as medical bills and property damage. But economic damages also include missed work or lack of advancement at work due to your injuries.
Non-economic damages include the pain and suffering you endure as a result of your trucking accident injuries.
The insurance company will work hard to tell you that your medical bills don’t apply due to a pre-existing condition or avoid telling you that you’re eligible for payments due to missed work. But knowing your rights will help you document these expenses and pursue compensation for them.
6. See a Doctor Immediately
Documenting your injuries early will make it easier to prove that they are connected to the accident. Failing to see a doctor as soon as possible can leave room for questions about the cause of your injuries. The sooner you see a medical professional and begin following a recovery routine, the better.
If you need a trusted advisor to help you work through an accident with a truck driver, Stewart & Stewart is here to help. Schedule a free consultation now.