Insurance Companies and Truck Accidents

Dedicated Fort Worth attorney will investigate

Accidents involving a large truck can be a very complicated ordeal. Unlike passenger-vehicle accidents, truck accidents are far more complex and require a thorough investigation. Due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, the stakes are high. One truck accident can cost insurance companies millions of dollars. For this reason, large trucks are a liability for insurance companies, resulting in much higher premiums – and a much more aggressive defense in the event of a claim.

Coby L. Wooten, Attorney at Law understands the pain and suffering caused by a single truck accident. With an experienced legal team and a vast amount of legal knowledge, Wooten can launch an investigation and find out who was responsible for causing your truck accident. Contact us today and find out how an experienced truck accident lawyer can help you.

The stakes are high after a truck accident

The weight of a massive commercial truck is very likely to result in a catastrophic accident, resulting in severe and life-threatening injuries. Crash victims can suffer:

• Broken bones
• Head injuries
• Spine injuries
• Contusions
• Paralysis
• Fatal injuries

Following a truck accident, you may need diagnostic tests, imaging tests, surgery, hospitalization, medication and multiple follow-up visits with doctors. You may need medical equipment and home health care. Your medical expenses can soon become overwhelming and you may worry about how you will pay your bills.

If the negligence of a driver or a trucking company caused the accident that left you hurt, you shouldn’t have to pay. But recovering financial compensation can be a difficult process.

How does insurance differ in truck accidents?

Trucking companies will do whatever it takes to avoid taking the blame for your accident. They will launch a prompt investigation, usually within a day or two of the collision. They use their own team to render biased results and deny any wrongdoing on their driver’s part. Because of this, it is imperative that you protect yourself and the potential evidence of the case. We have accident reconstructionists, investigators and experts who are available to get engaged quickly and ensure that all of the evidence is not damaged, lost or destroyed.

Furthermore, truck accidents can be far more complicated than passenger vehicle accidents. If more drivers are affected by the truck accident, multiple parties can be involved, which will include multiple claims and insurance companies. Additionally, the truck cab, trailer and cargo can all be insured separately.

With multiple parties involved and so much at stake from a single truck accident, insurance companies will stop at nothing to keep their costs down. They may offer small settlements to each party affected by the accident. But these settlements are rarely enough to cover the cost of medical bills, lost wages and further suffering.

What is the process for filing a truck accident claim and lawsuit?

Filing a truck accident claim involves several key steps. Understanding this process can help protect your rights and improve your chances of recovering full compensation. Here’s what you’ll need to do after a Fort Worth truck accident:

• Report the truck accident: Contact law enforcement and ensure that an official truck accident report is filed. This report will serve as evidence in your claim.
• Gather information: If you’re able to, take notes and pictures of the crash scene. Exchange insurance and contact information with the truck driver and any other parties involved. If there are any witnesses, get their contact information and statements.
• Seek medical attention and document your injuries: Even if you do not feel severely injured immediately after the accident, seek medical attention. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
• File a claim with your insurance company: You must file a claim with your insurance company by notifying them, but be careful with your words. Just stick to the basic facts of when and where the truck accident occurred and who was involved. Don’t discuss who was at fault, as this can be used against you.
• Speak to a Fort Worth truck accident attorney: The stakes are high after you’ve been hurt in a truck accident, so don’t risk dealing with your case alone. Attorney Coby L. Wooten will review your case, gather evidence, and advise you on your legal options. The sooner you seek legal representation, the better your chances of preserving evidence, including:
  • Truck driver logs and electronic logging device (ELD) data
  • Truck maintenance records
  • Surveillance footage
  • Eyewitness statements
  • Accident reconstruction reports
• Wait for a settlement offer: Insurance companies will often give you the lowest possible settlement in hopes that you’ll accept it. Once you accept it, you’re barred from seeking additional compensation. Wait for Attorney Coby L. Wooten to negotiate for a maximum settlement on your behalf. If the insurance companies don’t settle, he’ll be ready to take your case to trial.

Tactics insurance companies use to minimize payouts

Insurance companies employ numerous tactics to reduce the amount they pay on truck accident claims, including:

• Disputing liability: They may argue that their insured driver was not at fault or shift blame onto you.
• Questioning the severity of injuries: They might claim that your injuries are not as severe as you state or that they are pre-existing.
• Delaying the claims process: Dragging out the investigation and negotiations in hopes that you will accept a lower settlement.
• Offering a lowball settlement: They often present an initial offer far below what your claim is worth.
• Using recorded statements against you: Anything you say to an insurance adjuster can be used to undermine your claim.

Coby L. Wooten knows the tactics insurance companies use and can prevent them from taking advantage of you. He’ll ensure your rights are protected every step of the way.

What to do if your insurance claim is denied

If your truck accident claim is denied, you still have options. Here’s what you should do:

• Review the denial letter: Understand the reason for the denial and whether it was due to lack of evidence, policy exclusions, or another issue.
• Gather additional evidence: Work with your attorney to strengthen your case with more documentation, medical records, and expert testimony.
• File an appeal: Coby and his legal team can formally appeal the denial with additional evidence and arguments.
• Consider litigation: If an appeal doesn’t result in a fair settlement, filing a lawsuit may be necessary.

Why does my Fort Worth truck accident claim matter?

If the negligence of a truck driver, or his or her company, caused your injury, you should never accept a small settlement. Contact an experienced truck accident attorney who can gather the facts and build a strong case. Truck accidents are often attributed to violations of regulations such as electronic logging devices (ELDs), mandatory rest times and truck maintenance procedures. Trucking companies that violate these mandates can be held accountable for any resulting accidents.

But trucking companies, insurance carriers and their lawyers will aggressively fight your claim for compensation, because they know there is a lot of money at stake. Their goal is to pay you as little as possible.

There are many tactics they may use to try to minimize your claim. One is to question the seriousness of your injuries. Another is to seek access to your medical records to try to argue that your injuries were pre-existing. They may even try to blame you for what happened.

Our attorneys know their tactics and we do not tolerate them. Our legal team conducts our own investigation to gather evidence, including evidence owned by the trucking company, such as maintenance records and information from the truck’s event data recorder. We carefully review accidents reports and medical records. We interview witnesses.

We build strong cases that insurance companies have to take seriously. And we fight to help you recover the compensation you deserve, whether that’s through a negotiated settlement or a jury verdict. A lawyer will personally work on your case every step of the way. There are no case managers here.

You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. If we don’t win, we don’t get paid.

That’s why you need the help of Coby L. Wooten. He knows how to handle even the most complex truck accidents, and his case results prove it. Put more than 30 years of legal experience to work for you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation, or simply call our Fort Worth office at 817-632-8400.