Truck accidents cause serious injuries and financial losses. When a truck driver’s negligence causes you to suffer, the law allows you to seek financial damages for those losses. As a victim, you must demonstrate to the trucking company’s insurance company what your losses are and why they are responsible. If you were hurt on major roadways, such as I-79 or I-376, or perhaps along trucking routes in the industrial area, we can help you.
While this seems straightforward, insurance companies rarely make it simple. It is quite common for there to be complications, especially if you have serious injuries. By working with a truck accident lawyer in Pittsburgh, you can reduce the risk of these complications and, often, recover a higher level of compensation for your losses. Consider the following strategies for how to deal with the insurance company to avoid complications.
Use an Attorney as Your First Step
The most direct way to avoid any issues with insurance companies after a truck accident in Pittsburgh is to avoid speaking to them at all. The good news is you do not have to do so. After an accident, seek medical care, make sure a police report is filed, and then contact an attorney. By doing this, you eliminate all risk of your information being taken out of context or being tricked into saying the wrong thing. When you choose our legal team, we understand the complexity of local accidents, whether you are struggling to navigate the downtown Pittsburgh area near Liberty Avenue or over on 7th Street.
In situations where you find yourself having to speak with and deal with the insurance company, there are several steps you can take to avoid additional risks.
Always Provide Only the Facts
When providing any information about the accident, provide facts without any details. For example, if you were in an accident with a truck driver, state that the truck driver struck your vehicle. Avoid making assumptions about what the truck driver was doing or why they hit you. That helps minimize your risk of being blamed.
Maintain a Comprehensive Log of Your Losses
Insurance companies often like to look for small details that could derail your case and reduce compensation. Creating doubt can be problematic. To avoid this, collect and maintain all information and evidence that could be used in your case to back up your claims. Here are some tips to do so:
- Keep a journal that lists the impact you are facing. Include any financial implications of your injuries each day, such as being unable to work or having to pay for transportation to a medical appointment.
- Maintain medical records that document what your injuries are, what tests you have, what specialist care you need, and what diagnosis you have. You do not have to share all of these details with the insurance company.
- Keep track of other losses, including losses of personal property and the cost to repair or replace your car.
If you took photos of the accident and your injuries at the time it occurred, that can serve as valuable data and evidence in your case as well. In these situations, it is often helpful to have as much data from third parties as possible, such as witness statements and police reports.
Avoid Recorded Statements
If the insurance company wants to record your statements, tell them no. Be polite but clear. You do not legally need to speak to them at all in most cases. However, even if you do, recorded statements put you at a high risk of having your information taken out of context or statements used against you later. For this reason, simply say no and do not give them permission to record the call.
Get Medical Care and Maintain Appointments
You can also reduce risks with insurance claims by simply getting medical care and following up with specialists. The more medical evidence there is to document your injuries and losses, the harder it is for the insurance company to deny your claims. That means getting emergency medical care at the time of the accident. Then, meet all of your follow-up appointments that your doctor recommends.
Know the Limits and the Tricks
After a truck accident, the insurance company will work tirelessly to minimize paying you anything. Know the tricks they use to help you avoid problems later.
- Delaying payments: In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for seeking a lawsuit against the at-fault party is two years. It is in the insurance company’s best interests to push this timeframe so they do not have to pay you anything.
- Quick settlements: Another strategy is to offer you a large settlement if you settle right away. You do not have to settle fast – remember that timeframe applies to how long you can take them to court. If they want you to settle fast, it may mean they are trying to pay you too little.
- Denials: Insurance companies may deny claims that are, in fact, their responsibility to pay.
There are many potential tricks they can use. Because most people are not hurt in a truck accident that often, you probably have no idea what your rights are. Expect the insurance company to work hard to protect its profits, not you.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Legal Team Today
Schedule a free consultation with our legal team if you have been in a Pittsburgh truck accident. Let the team at Kwartler Manus, LLC, work to help you build your case.