What Should I Do If I Get Called by the Trucking Company’s Insurer After a Crash?
Red truck vs car collision on the highway.

When you’re injured in a truck accident, you have enough on your plate with managing your recovery, attending doctors’ appointments, and feeling the financial strain of missing work and watching medical bills pile up. The last thing you need is the hassle of dealing with the at-fault trucking company’s insurer after the crash. But that won’t stop them from calling.

Here are some tips to help you navigate a call with the trucking company’s insurer. An experienced Savannah truck accident attorney at the Spiva Law Group can advise you on protecting your rights as you pursue a personal injury claim for fair compensation. Don’t wait to contact us to discuss your case in a free consultation. We’re ready to help.

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What Information Could They Be Trying to Obtain?

When a claims adjuster from the at-fault party’s insurance company contacts you, it may seem like they are trying to help you get the money you’re owed. Unfortunately, the adjuster’s main objective is to gather the information they can use to minimize the insurance payout to you (pay as little money as possible) or deny your claim altogether.

They may try to get you to admit is that the accident was your fault, not the truck driver or trucking company. They may also try to:

  • Get you to say you are not injured or get you to downplay the extent of your injuries.
  • Discuss the details of your injury and diagnosis.
  • Have you discuss your version of the accident so they can attempt to disprove it.
  • Get you to mention other possible reasons for the crash.
  • Have you believe your case is worth less than it really is.

Should I Provide a Recorded Statement After The Truck Accident?

No. One of the most common ways to damage your case is to give a recorded statement. Insurance adjusters for the at-fault party will use a recorded statement to try to dispute your accident claim.

Insurance adjusters are already armed with police reports. They will use any statement you make to them to attempt to show inconsistencies in your previously stated version of how the truck accident occurred. It’s easy to misremember certain minor details. Providing a recorded statement enables the insurance company to look for the slightest discrepancy among the statements you provided to the police or when you filed your claim.

Also, keep in mind that the other party’s insurance company could use that recorded statement against you during a trial, especially during cross-examination.

a truck accident about to happen

What Should I Do If They Offer Me a Settlement After My Truck Accident?

If the at-fault insurance company offers you a settlement quickly after the truck wreck, then it is a pretty good indication that they know their insured is at fault and that you may be eligible for a larger settlement. A quick settlement offer is often their way of enticing you to accept an amount below what your case is worth. They may also be attempting this because they know you have not yet consulted with an attorney who would understand the true value of your case.

In the immediate aftermath of a truck crash, you may not know the full extent of your injuries or how long your recovery may take. You also may not know how long you will be out of work or even the cost of the property damage to your vehicle. That is certainly not the appropriate time to accept a lowball settlement offer.

Talk to a knowledgeable lawyer as soon as possible after the truck accident to learn the potential value of your case and what steps you can take to protect your rights. The state of Georgia sets a time limit on how long you have to file a lawsuit for your personal injuries from the truck accident. This time limit is known as the Statute of Limitations. By this law, you have two years to file your claim. After those two years have passed, if you haven’t filed a claim, you have forfeited the opportunity to do so.

Tips on Dealing with Insurance Adjuster Calls After A Savannah Truck Accident

You are under no legal obligation to speak with the trucking company’s insurer. It is generally best if you don’t talk to them directly and instead forward their contact information to your attorney.

Here are some additional tips for handling calls with an insurance adjuster:

  • Refer them to your truck accident lawyer or tell them you will only speak with them when your lawyer is present.
  • Don’t fall for their friendly banter. They are not on your side and are merely hoping to develop a rapport with you, so you may say something that could damage your case.
  • Do not, under any circumstances, admit any responsibility for the accident.
  • Do not say you are starting to feel better, especially soon after an accident when you may not have even finished treatment.
  • If you do decide to speak with the insurance adjuster, be polite and keep your answers concise, only responding directly to each specific question.
  • Do not provide any written statements or sign anything.
  • Obtain and write down the insurance adjuster’s name, the insurance company they represent, their address and phone number, and anyone else who may be on the line.

The only instance in which it would make sense for you to speak with the insurance adjuster is if the accident was minor, it is clearly established that the other party is at fault, and you are uninjured. Otherwise, nothing can usually be gained by directly communicating with the opposing party’s insurance adjuster. So let your lawyer handle it instead.

How Can a Savannah Attorney Help Me After a Car Accident?

If you are unsure of what to do when an insurance company adjuster calls you about your case, you should consult with a seasoned truck accident lawyer. A knowledgeable Savannah truck accident lawyer at Spiva Law Group can help you seek the compensation you deserve.

Let us do the work for you so you can focus on your recovery instead of dealing with the trucking company’s insurance adjuster. Our lawyers can see through their shady tactics to make sure they can’t take advantage of you.

We’ll evaluate your claim, investigate and gather crucial evidence, work with an accident reconstruction team and other experts as necessary to show how the crash occurred, file a personal injury claim on your behalf, and negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement. If the insurance company fails to agree to a reasonable settlement, we’ll be prepared to take your case to trial, if necessary, to pursue justice for you.

Let the personal injury lawyers at Spiva Law Group take the burden of seeking fair compensation for your truck accident off your shoulders. Contact us for a free consultation to learn about your legal rights and options for seeking financial recovery after a truck crash.