A crash between a passenger vehicle and a commercial truck can cause devastating property damage and permanent physical injuries. The people involved in those crashes often need compensation to cover their expenses.
Unfortunately, many people involved in semi-truck collisions fall victim to the same mistake. In their eagerness to pursue compensation, they may end up limiting what they receive and putting themselves at a disadvantage.
Handling a claim alone may not be the best option
Those affected by semi-truck collisions might assume that they can file a claim for compensation and readily receive the support they require. Especially when they learn that the commercial vehicle that caused the crash has a liability policy worth $750,000 or more because of federal regulations, they may expect to receive generous compensation for their property damage expenses and injury-related losses.
What they may not realize is that the insurance company is likely to negotiate aggressively because the organization has more to lose. When there is a risk of a six-figure settlement, insurance professionals are often eager to propose low-ball settlements or trick people into admitting partial fault for the crash. Insurance professionals want to limit what the company pays even if it means that the people hurt in a crash don’t receive full coverage for their losses.
How can legal support help?
Those trying to obtain compensation after a crash with a semi-truck have the right to hire an attorney who can handle insurance claims and litigation on their behalf. Doing so is beneficial for a number of reasons.
The first is that the injured party doesn’t have to devote their time and energy to learning about insurance and negotiating. The second is that they can rely on the advocacy of someone who understands complex policy paperwork and recognizes the manipulative tactics insurance professionals might use during a claim.
They can also rely on their attorney to help them realistically estimate the financial consequences of the crash. A lawyer representing an injured party can handle all communications with the insurance company and push back on unfair offers. They can also recognize when litigation is necessary to optimize a client’s financial recovery.
Getting help as soon as possible after a semi-truck crash can help an injured person optimize what they recover. Without support, people may agree to low settlements or make mistakes that limit their right to maximize their compensation.