Getting into a car accident can be incredibly traumatic, especially when you have sustained serious injuries or your car has been wrecked. This aspect perfectly explains why most car owners who have been in an accident worry about the fact that they might receive no money for the damage to their car and that they might be stuck with high medical bills that they might not be able to pay.
The damage and injuries can even be worse if you have been into a truck accident. Read on to learn more about how car accident claims work.
Understand the Importance of Contacting A Lawyer
If you have been in an accident, ideally, you should hire the best injury lawyers with proven track record to ensure that you are getting paid fairly. On that note, suppose you have been involved in a truck accident; then you can anticipate the truck accident settlements to be paid by the trucker’s insurance company.
In a typical case scenario, the trucker will contact their insurance company and attorney right after the accident. And you should do the same. Why, you might ask? The reason is that if you delay contacting a personal injury lawyer right away, you might lose important evidence, which can make it harder for the lawyer to help you get your fair share of the settlement.
The Lawyer Will Set Up a Claim
In order for the trucker’s insurance company to pay you, your lawyer must set up a claim. Every claim comes with its unique claim number. Generally, there are two ways the claim can be set up with the at-fault trucker’s insurance company:
A claim is set up when the at-fault trucker reports the claim to their respective insurance company.
A claim is set up when your lawyer or you report the claim to the insurance company of the at-fault trucker.
The Trucker Will Report the Claim
Typically, there is a high chance that the truck driver reports the claim to their respective insurance company, which is also good news if you think about it. The underlying reason why truckers tend to report the accident and set up the claim themselves is because a majority of these truckers are employees of trucking companies.
Also, many of these drivers are supporting their families, which is why they cannot afford to lose their jobs by not telling their employer or the trucking company about the crash.
What Will The Trucking Company Do After the Claim?
Typically, once the trucking company receives the claim, they will naturally report the accident to their insurance company. Generally, many trucking accidents are serious as these involve loads of property damage and big injuries. This aspect perfectly explains why many trucking companies and their respective insurance companies have rapid-response teams.
In simpler words, trucking companies send out specialized trucking claim adjusters and accident experts whose job is to get out to the accident scene and preserve evidence.
What Does the Rapid Response Team Do?
Typically, the rapid response team will get out and reach the accident site as fast as possible. Their primary purpose is to collect evidence with the intention of beating you in the accident claim and interview witnesses before you have the chance to do so.
What Information Does the Trucker’s Insurance Company Need?
Now, to set up a truck accident claim, the trucking company will usually require a few things. Here is the list of things and information they are looking for:
- The Exact Date and Time of the Accident.
- The Insurance Policy Number.
- A Summary of How the Accident Happened.
Also, the insurance company will get in touch with you and ask you if your vehicle was damaged. They will also inquire about your potential injuries. The underlying reason for reaching out to you and asking you about your injuries and car damages is that they want to assign a suitable claims adjuster for your case.
What Happens After the Claim is Set Up?
The more experienced the insurance adjuster is, the more capable they are to handle bigger trucking injury claims. These are the types of claims that revolve around surgeries and broken bones. Once the claim gets set up, the trucking company’s insurance company will usually start their round of investigation.
It is important to mention here that just because the insurance company assigns a claim number, it doesn’t mean that you can relax and that you will get paid. The insurance adjusters will only work for their respective company’s best interest, which is why you need to get a personal injury lawyer by your side who can help you with the case and prepare the case to get the highest settlement value for you.
Do Not be Deceived by A Claim Number
Many people who are hit by a truck make the mistake of believing that just because the insurance company has given them a claim number, it might mean they will get paid. If you truly want to get paid, you must focus on getting several things right.
With the help of your lawyer, you must receive a confirmation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company that there is insurance coverage. Just because the trucker gave you or the police their insurance card after the accident, it doesn’t mean that there is enough coverage.
Why To Get A Lawyer On Board Immediately?
In order for insurance coverage to be provided, the other driver’s policy needs to be valid and active at the time of the accident. Also, there is no room for an exclusion in their policy that would potentially lead to the denial of the coverage. Among the most common denials that you can expect in such cases is that the trucker is not listed on the insurance policy.
Also, you should know that many insurance companies rely on the same adjuster to handle both – the claim for the damage to your injuries and your car. By hiring a personal injury lawyer, you will be doing yourself a great favor as the lawyer will negotiate all aspects with the insurance company and ensure that you are duly compensated for your lost wages, medical bills, property damage, and pain and suffering.