Getting into a truck accident can lead to serious consequences, such as life-changing injuries and thousands of dollars in medical bills. You may be able to recover the costs of your accident and move forward without help from an attorney, especially if your injuries were minor.
In certain scenarios, however, it will be in your best interest to hire a truck accident attorney in Phoenix to represent you. If you’re unsure whether you need representation, schedule a free consultation with a lawyer near you for more information.
You Have Serious to Catastrophic Injuries
In general, serious injuries make for complicated legal processes. It is often more difficult for a claimant with serious to catastrophic injuries to obtain a fair settlement from an insurance company. Auto insurance companies want to profit their investors by undervaluing claims – especially claims that may result in high payouts.
If a truck accident gave you a serious injury or took the life of a loved one, hire an attorney to make sure you do not accept an inadequate settlement offer. You have too much on the line as someone with a serious injury, such as a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury, to risk settling for less than you deserve. You could be looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars in past and future medical costs, including surgeries, rehabilitation and physical therapy.
The best way to make sure an insurance company does not underestimate your losses is by hiring a lawyer to represent you. An insurance company may try to take advantage of you, but it won’t try to deceive your attorney.
The Truck Company Is Refuting Fault
Arguments over who was at fault for the truck accident can make it more difficult to win your claim. It is normal for a truck driver to refrain from admitting fault while at the scene of the accident; this is what all auto insurance companies tell their policyholders to do. If further investigation from the insurance company still does not place liability with the other driver, however, you may need to hire a lawyer to help you prove fault.
A lawyer can help you by sending trained professionals and experts to the scene of the truck accident, such as crash reconstruction specialists, to determine the cause of the crash. Then, your lawyer can gather evidence against the truck driver, such as eyewitness testimony or the truck’s black box information. Your lawyer can use this information to prove to the insurance company that its policyholder is liable for the collision.
An Insurance Company Has Denied Your Claim
It is not uncommon for an insurance company to deny a valid claim as a tactic to save money. This is a form of insurance bad faith. If you receive a claim denial, the company must give a valid reason. Bring the letter you received to an attorney for an evaluation. A lawyer may find that the insurance company does not actually have grounds to deny your claim and is doing it in bad faith. Otherwise, your attorney can submit further evidence or documentation to convince the insurance company to change its decision.
The Settlement Offered Is Too Low
In some cases, an insurance company will accept a truck accident claim, only to offer a settlement that far undervalues the claimant’s actual injuries and losses. It is important to consult with a truck accident attorney before you accept a settlement offer. Once you accept an offer, you generally cannot take it back or negotiate for a higher amount. Before you say yes, contact an attorney for a review.
An attorney can look at the facts of your case to accurately evaluate its worth. Then, if the settlement offered is too low, your lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. Should settlement negotiations fail, your attorney can represent you at trial instead. Your lawyer will do what is necessary to make sure you obtain a fair and full amount for your truck accident claim.