After a truck accident, to seek compensation for your damages, you will need to file a personal injury claim with the insurance company of the person or entity that caused your accident. This means you will need to interact with the insurance company in some capacity—and that can be risky to your legal rights. You might wonder if hiring a truck accident lawyer means they’ll deal with the insurance company for you.
The answer is that your lawyer will absolutely handle communication with the insurance company for you. As long as your lawyer is experienced, it’s actually a good idea to let them do this.
The Problem with Insurance Companies After a Truck Accident
Insurance companies care most about their bottom line. So, after they learn that one of their policyholders was in an accident—and that you, as the victim, may file a claim for damages—they’ll look for ways to reduce what they have to pay you.
In an effort to reduce what they pay, insurance companies may use tactics like:
- Calling you and asking how you’re doing, then using anything you say against you
- Offering you a lowball settlement and making it seem like you can’t get more
- Intimidating you into accepting a low settlement
- Pressuring you into responding to their offer
- Trying to blame you for some or all of the truck accident
- Taking a long time to respond to your claim
Insurance companies also know that most truck accident victims have never been in a situation like this before. They know you’ll likely be in pain, stressed, and worried about money. They’re hoping you’ll take the first offer you receive and not seek anything further, thus ending your case.
Insurance companies also have their own teams of lawyers and adjusters ready to handle your claim. They know what they’re doing—and they’re usually really good at it. Thankfully, you can hire a truck accident lawyer who is just as experienced—and who knows how to handle the insurance company’s tactics.
Four Pros of Having Your Truck Accident Lawyer Deal with the Insurance Company
When you hire a truck accident lawyer, it means you can stop worrying about what to say to the insurance company or how to handle your claim. While it’s in your right to handle your claim alone, we strongly discourage it. Having a lawyer handle the legal details greatly increases your chance of getting the compensation you deserve.
Here are some of the ways a truck accident lawyer can handle the insurance company so you don’t have to.
1. You Won’t Have to Communicate with the Insurance Company At All
You do not need to speak with the at-fault party’s insurance company at all. It’s actually best to direct them to your lawyer instead of engaging with them directly. They might encourage you to sign something, give a recorded statement, or accept the first settlement offer—but all of these are a terrible idea.
Instead of worrying about saying or doing the wrong thing, you can let your truck accident lawyer handle it. They’ll communicate with the insurance company for you from the beginning.
2. Your Lawyer Can Negotiate for a Fair Settlement
The insurance company will probably respond to your injury claim with a lowball settlement offer. Since this will not come close to covering your damages, your lawyer can enter the negotiation phase with the insurance company.
An insurance company is way more likely to agree to a settlement negotiation if you have an experienced lawyer handling your case. The insurance company will see that you are armed with a powerful legal professional and that you’re not afraid to fight for the compensation you deserve. To avoid dealing with a lawsuit, the insurer is more likely to budge on a settlement that is actually fair to you.
3. Your Lawyer Will Gather Evidence of Fault and Your Damages
In Georgia, damages are given as compensation after an injury accident like a truck accident (Georgia Code § 51-12-4).
Before an insurance company will agree to pay a fair settlement, they will need to see strong evidence of the defendant’s fault and liability in your accident. They’ll also be looking for sufficient evidence of all your damages. Your truck accident lawyer will know how to investigate your case and compile evidence of both.
Your lawyer may gather evidence like:
- Pictures from the truck accident scene, including photos of vehicle damage and your injuries
- A copy of the police report
- Witness statements
- Traffic camera footage
- Testimony from expert witnesses
- Copies of your medical reports
- And more
Your injury claim will also need to demonstrate the damages you suffered as a result of the at-fault party’s negligence. This requires gathering copies of your bills, receipts, and other evidence of your losses to prove all damages to the insurance company.
4. They’ll Talk to Your Own Insurance Company Too
When an auto accident happens, you will also need to report the collision to your own auto insurance company. Most insurance companies require that you report the accident to them. Even if you hold no fault in the accident, there may be certain benefits available through your insurer.
Although you’re reporting the accident to your own insurance company, that should be on your side, there are still reasons to be wary. You’ll want to be careful about how you explain the accident and what information you give them. Thankfully, your truck accident lawyer can handle communication with your own insurance company too.
It’s best to contact a trusted and experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. Besides helping you deal with the insurance company, they can also make sure you don’t miss any deadlines. You can two years to file your claim (Georgia Code §9-3-33), and that time goes quickly.
Talk to a Truck Accident Lawyer in Georgia for Free Today
Don’t worry about dealing with the insurance companies alone after your truck accident. At John Foy & Associates, we can handle all communication and negotiation with the insurance company so you don’t have to. Plus, there is no risk to work with us because we don’t take a fee unless we win you money.
Contact us today for a FREE consultation to discuss the details. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started.
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