It is challenging to deal with the after-effects of an accident, particularly if you get injured. Therefore, you must know how to negotiate a vehicle injury compensation claim with the guilty parties. Truck accident settlements don’t differ much from other vehicle accident claims. It’s simple and involves a bit of due diligence on your part. The injured or the affected person can get an auto accident settlement that covers all the expenses incurred to cure injuries. Depending on the situation, you can also get help from an experienced vehicle accident lawyer to assist with negotiations and claims. This article will share a complete guide on negotiating your trucking accidents settlement claim. Following is all you need to know about successfully negotiating truck accident claims.
Initiate a Settlement Claim
It is crucial to contact your insurance company right after your accident. You should initiate a claim as quickly as possible. This helps you to recall all the accident details accurately. Additionally, you must look at your state’s statute of limitations to avoid further complications in your case.
Keep Accurate Records
Keep a chronologically organized record of your accident. Make a file that contains police accident reports, records of doctors, bills for truck repairs, medical expenses, and anything else relevant to your accident. These documents act as evidence and will assist you in negotiations and help expedite the settlement process. Therefore, keep the information accurate and detailed for your good.
Compensation Evaluation
Determining the actual amount of compensation is crucial to any truck accident settlement claim. Any discrepancies or hyper evaluation may lead to lower compensation or disputes between the defendant’s insurance company and lawyers. Consider the following factors while evaluating a compensation amount:
- Medical care costs and pharmacy expenses
- Lost wages or earnings
- Your physical condition
- Repairing cost of your vehicle or any damaged property
- Pain and suffering caused by the accident
Collect all this info and decide the best figure that reflects your losses. Consult a law firm specializing in evaluating compensation for a fair assessment.
Letter to the Insurance Company
Once you’ve decided on the minimum settlement amount, you can send a request letter to the insurance company. In the letter, describe all the primary details related to your accident. Describe your truck accident, mention your injuries, chronic conditions, and medical treatment, talk about your vehicle damage and other losses, and mention the amount you are demanding. Typically, the insurance company will reply with a lowball offer well below your estimates. Do not accept the first offer; negotiate with them, and get everything in the written form. Preferably, hire an attorney to negotiate better with insurance companies. While negotiating, make sure you have all the evidence and documentation; this will help make your demand letter strong.
Getting a settlement for a trucking accident is easy, but only if you know how to negotiate with lawyers and insurance companies. The above guide will help in negotiating a fair settlement and save you from exploitation and navigating legal hurdles.
