If you’ve ever seen an insurance company’s slogan, they tend to go along the lines of “caring for you” or “putting you first.”
But you can’t rely solely on these slogans when claiming compensation after a truck accident. What you do or don’t do can be used by an insurance company against you.
Your words and actions are a double-edged sword that can either strengthen your case, or be twisted to blow away your chances of getting a decent compensation.
There are proven ways to deal with insurance companies that will strengthen your case by proving that the other party is liable, and get you full compensation for the damages you’ve incurred.
Here are some of the helpful tips on what to do:
- Know your rights so that you don’t get exploited
- Gather evidence to prove that the other party is liable
- Learn how to negotiate with insurance companies
- Seek help from a professional truck accident attorney
These guys are the best of the best. The settlement was not looking good after I had my accident, but after hiring this law firm they refused to stop until I got a fair settlement. They clearly worked hard to make sure I was properly represented.”
— Jeffrey H., Verified Client
These tips are highly effective as they’ll give you confidence and maximize your chances of victory when dealing with insurance companies.
1 – Know Your Rights and Use Them
Understand your rights when dealing with insurance companies so that you can protect yourself from potential exploitation.
Knowing your legal rights will also help you navigate the legal process as you pursue compensation for your damages.
As a truck accident victim, you have the right to:
- Seek compensation for injuries, medical expenses, loss of wages, suffering, and other losses
- Gather evidence such as photographs, medical reports, and witness statements to support your claim
- Be represented by an attorney who will help you navigate the whole truck accident legal process
Applying your legal rights is a tedious process that involves gathering evidence, notifying insurance companies, and negotiating with them to give you fair compensation.
Therefore, it’s best to let a truck accident attorney do the heavy lifting for you. Vegas Valley Injury Law attorneys will help you understand your rights and determine the full amount of damages you’re entitled to, which includes property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If your claim is denied or the insurance company offers an inadequate settlement, our attorneys will lay out the legal options and determine whether filing a lawsuit is in your best interest. We will leverage our understanding of Nevada law courts to get you the best outcome.
I highly recommend Vegas Valley Injury Law to anyone who’s been hurt in an accident. Our attorney was incredibly helpful throughout the process. He was accessible day or night, and he fought hard to make the insurance company pay out for my injuries.”
— Nathan V., Verified Client
2 – Gather Enough Evidence to Strengthen Your Case
Evidence helps establish who is liable for the truck accident, which strengthens your claim for compensation.
With enough evidence, you’ll be able to counteract any disputes or denials from the insurance company, which are aimed at denying you compensation.
Don’t hesitate to take pictures of the vehicle positions, debris, skid marks, and other relevant supporting information if your condition allows it after the accident.
When you rely on Vegas Valley Injury Law, you’re choosing a proven team to gather all the critical evidence from the accident. Our team will leave no stone unturned when searching for evidence.
I first hired Garrett when my son was in an accident. From the first phone call we were able to move very quickly. The entire office staff was very courteous and we had our calls returned in hours, not days.”
— Lisa A., Verified Client
If there were witnesses during the accident, ask them if you can use their statements as evidence based on what they heard and saw. If they agree, take their contacts for later use.
Make sure that you keep a list of doctor visits by documenting all medical expenses from the treatments related to the accident.
Have documents ready showing the repair estimates and receipts for your vehicle to prove the extent of damage to your vehicle.
If you’ve experienced loss of income, have your employment records at hand to show your earnings before the accident and how they’ve been impacted after.
3 – Obtain a Copy of the Police Report
A police report is an official document stating that you were involved in that particular truck accident. Though it’s not the sole determinant of liability and how much you’ll be compensated, insurance companies rely on the information in the report.
This report contains the date, time, and location of the incident, including the parties involved and any witness statements.
The report also contains a description of the truck accident with details on weather and road conditions, nearby traffic signs, and any negligence detected.
It may also include a sketch or diagram of the accident scene to show vehicle positions and direction of travel to illustrate the accident’s dynamics.
Since some insurance companies use tactics to minimize the compensation you’ll receive, it’s essential to have a police report as evidence of the accident’s occurrence.
Key Takeaway: Don’t underestimate the importance of a police report. It provides vital information, including witness statements and accident details, that can strengthen your case.
4 – Follow Up With Witnesses
If you’ve asked for witnesses’ contact information after the accident, it’s important that you follow up so that you get more evidence to prove you’re not liable for the truck accident.
You can collect statements from pedestrians, occupants of other vehicles, people in nearby buildings, and emergency responders.
Keep in mind that time is of the essence as witnesses may forget some details, so it’s important to contact them as soon as possible in order to gather their statements.
Even if the witness didn’t observe the actual collision, they may have seen the driver act negligently or witnessed any other abnormality that could have caused the accident.
Gather as much information as you can concerning the accident but be sure to ask questions in a non-confrontational manner.
Also, investigate the reliability and credibility of the witnesses before relying on their statements. Ask questions that will help you determine if they only have financial interests in mind, in which case, watch out for contradicting statements.
The table below provides an assessment of the reliability of witnesses involved in a possible truck accident case. It evaluates their credibility, relationship to the case, and factors that may influence their testimonies.
| Witness | Reliability Rating | Relationship To The Case | Credibility Factors |
| John Doe | High | Independent bystander | Neutral statement, no vested interest |
| Jane Smith | Moderate | Passenger in another vehicle | Neutral statement, potential bias |
| Mike Johnson | Low | Pedestrian near the scene | Contradictory statements, possible bias |
| Sarah Thompson | High | Emergency responder | Expertise, unbiased account |
Note: The names of witnesses are fictional.
If you’re having trouble locating your witnesses or they’re uncooperative, you can turn to truck accident attorneys, who often have search tools to locate witnesses. They also have effective methods of making them cooperate.
5 – Understand Your Insurance Policy
It’s important to understand your insurance policy before claiming compensation for a truck accident.
- Review the coverage: Make sure you know the exact coverage that your policy provides. This includes medical expenses, property damage, and other relevant coverage.
- Understand policy language: Insurance policies can be written in complex language that’s difficult to understand. Take the time to read through the policy and ask questions if you don’t understand something.
- Know the policy’s limitations: Insurance policies have limits on the maximum amount they’ll pay out for a claim. Make sure you understand the limits and don’t assume you’ll be covered for more than your policy provides.
- Compliance with the policy: Some specific compliance requirements may include reporting the incident within a certain time frame or receiving treatment only from approved medical service providers.
Having a good understanding of your insurance policy ensures that you get the compensation you deserve.
Did You Know? In 1925, the State of Connecticut became the first in the United States to enact a compulsory motor vehicle insurance law. This marked a significant step in ensuring financial protection for drivers and promoting road safety.
6 – Prepare for Negotiations
Negotiating with insurance companies can be intimidating, but with the right tactics, you’ll be able to support your claim and get the compensation you deserve.
The first step is to understand the insurance company’s tactics. They usually employ psychological tricks to get you to accept a lower settlement, so it’s important to know what to expect and be prepared to counter their strategies.
Insurance companies often use strategies such as:
- Disputing that the truck driver is liable
- Intentionally delaying the claims process
- Downplaying the severity of your injuries
- Coercing you to accept an unfair settlement
Don’t let the insurance company representative’s kind words soften you.
Most insurance companies have a goal: Keep payouts minimal so that they make huge profits.
Therefore, be aware of any loopholes that may be used against you by having all the necessary documents and records ready. This includes medical records, police reports, receipts for any expenses, accident reports, and any other relevant information.
At this point, we must also add that you should be careful with your words, for any inconsistencies in what you say will be exploited.
Also, be wary of documents you’re asked to sign, as it could limit the full value of your claim.
At Vegas Valley Injury Law, we take the time to understand the intricacies of each matter and we’ll clarify any confusion you have before you sign anything with the insurance company.
7 – Get an Attorney With a Proven Track Record
If you’re feeling overwhelmed at the thought of the negotiation process, consider hiring an attorney.
An experienced attorney will help you understand your rights and obligations, as well as the potential risks and rewards of pursuing a claim.
Find an attorney who’s familiar with the laws and regulations specific to your accident—one with a successful track record of representing clients in similar cases.
Be sure to vet potential attorneys thoroughly and ask questions, such as how much experience they have in handling truck accidents.
Garrett and his team at Vegas Valley Injury Law went above and beyond for me. They were constantly checking in and keeping me aware of my case status. Always available to help with my questions and concerns. I’d recommend them to anyone.”
— Casey M., Verified Client
Avoid attorneys who make unrealistic promises or pressure you into accepting an unfair settlement. Also, be wary of attorneys who are not willing to take your case to court if necessary.
Get an understanding of the attorney’s fees and the potential costs associated with your case before you make a decision.
At Vegas Valley Law Injury, consulting with us is free and we require no payment until you win the case.
You’ll have unlimited access to an attorney and a dedicated case manager who will steward every facet of your claim.
Whether the truck accident collision was the driver’s fault or the trucking company’s, our firm leaves no stones unturned while looking for evidence of what contributed to the accident.
Learn More: 4 Top Considerations When Choosing a Truck Accident Attorney in Las Vegas
Let Vegas Valley Injury Law Handle Your Insurance Claims
The process of dealing with insurance companies after a truck accident can be difficult. But with expert guidance, you can rest assured that you’re taking the right steps.
The first thing to remember is that you have the legal right to gather evidence from the accident scene and get statements from eye witnesses.
You should also understand the terms of your insurance policy so that you’re aware what damages will be covered and what won’t.
Lastly, learn the negotiation tactics insurance companies use to delay the case or pay out an unfair compensation.
If the process is overwhelming, you don’t have to bear it alone. Claim your compensation with the help of a legal representative from Vegas Valley Injury Law.
Knowing that you have a professional legal representation will give you the confidence to navigate the aftermath of a truck accident.
Learn more about what truck accident lawyers do in the video below.
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