Going up against a trucking company is no easy feat after an accident in Albuquerque. Trucking companies are powerful adversaries with ample resources available to fight liability. Their insurance companies can make it difficult to recover fair compensation for your bills and losses. With a few tips and help from a truck accident attorney, however, you can protect your rights during insurance settlement negotiations.
Don’t Trust the Insurance Claims Adjuster
Overall, do not trust the insurance claims adjuster who is assigned to your case. Any representative who contacts you from an insurance company does not have your best interests in mind. Insurance corporations protect their investors’ money by minimizing claim payouts as much as possible.
If you have little to no experience with the insurance process, an insurance adjuster will take advantage of this to get you to admit fault for the truck accident, contradict yourself in recorded statements or settle for less than you deserve. Protect yourself by restricting what you share with an insurance adjuster.
Understand How Much Your Case Is Worth
It is important to understand how much your truck accident case is worth before attempting to negotiate a settlement with an insurance company. You can do this by consulting with a truck accident lawyer who will evaluate your damages and give you an accurate portrayal of your case’s value.
Without understanding how much your case is worth, you could be at risk of accepting far less than you need for your economic and noneconomic damages. If you or a loved one sustained serious injuries with long-term consequences, for example, you may have future foreseeable costs that must be included in your calculation.
Resist a Fast Settlement
Take your time during the insurance claims process. While it may be tempting to jump at the first settlement offer and resolve your case quickly, be patient and prepared to negotiate. The first settlement is likely set low in an attempt to save the insurer money. You or your lawyer will have to submit a counteroffer (or multiple counteroffers) to increase the settlement value.
Negotiating a fair settlement can take time, but do your best to remain calm and professional during conversations to stay in a strong position. Take the time to gather evidence to support your claim and learn your legal rights as a truck accident victim. The more you know about your case, the higher your chances are of securing a fair settlement.
Always Use an Attorney
Commercial truck accidents can be catastrophic. They can result in injuries that affect a victim for life, such as spinal cord injuries, paralysis and traumatic brain injuries. If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury in a truck accident in New Mexico, don’t attempt to negotiate with a trucking company’s insurance provider without an attorney.
An insurance company is more likely to try to take advantage of you if you are unrepresented. With an attorney by your side, the insurer will take your claim seriously. Your attorney can take over negotiations for you and use aggressive legal strategies to fight for maximum compensation on your behalf. If necessary, an attorney can take the insurance provider to court for just results.
To discuss a recent truck accident with an experienced lawyer in Albuquerque, contact The Fine Law Firm to schedule a free consultation.