According to state law, you could be eligible to collect financial compensation for your injuries and other damages if you were injured in a Virginia truck accident that was caused by a negligent truck operator.
Since you were not at fault for the collision, it is understandable that you expect the trucking company and their insurance carrier to be, among other things, contrite, gracious, and, most of all, fair in the handling of your case and the settlement offer they extend. Unfortunately, the insurance company is most likely going to put their own best interests ahead of yours by misrepresenting or omitting important facts about your claim.
If you were hurt in a Virginia truck accident, contact the Virginia truck accident lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp for a free case consultation. Our professional attorneys will evaluate the facts of your case and outline the optimal legal strategy for holding the negligent party accountable.
The Insurance Adjuster Is Not Your Friend
The insurance company’s representative is going to seem like they are genuinely worried about your well-being. In fact, they are going to make every effort to come across as though they are your friend. It is important to remember that they are NOT on your side.
What they are actually doing is looking for ways to save their employer as much money as possible. As they investigate your claim and ask you questions, they are waiting for you to make a statement or unknowingly offer up some piece of evidence they can use to devalue or deny your valid claim.
You Are Not Required to Give Them a Recorded Statement
One of the first things that an insurance adjuster is going to ask you during your interview is to provide them with a recorded statement that will be transcribed into a formal written document, which will then be used in court and during settlement negotiations. The adjuster will make it seem like giving a recorded statement is a standard protocol that has to be satisfied before your claim can be settled.
You are not required to provide them with a recorded statement to ensure the settlement of your claim. It is actually not in your best interests to give them one. The adjuster wants a recorded statement for the same reasons as mentioned earlier; so they can catch you making even one inconsistent statement or answering a carefully worded question in such a way that it can be twisted into an admission of guilt.
You Do Not Have to Accept Their Settlement Offer
The insurance adjuster assigned to your case is going to make it seem like their initial settlement offer is the only one you will get and that, if you don’t accept it, you could lose your right to compensation. What they are actually doing is trying to strongarm you into agreeing to a settlement that pays you much less financial compensation than the law actually entitles you to.
You have every right to reject any settlement offer you wish, but you should never consent to or turn down a settlement without first meeting with an experienced Virginia truck accident attorney.
You Could Be Eligible for Future Damages
If you sustained a permanent or long-term injury, you could be entitled to anticipated medical bills, lost income, pain, and suffering. The adjuster is not going to tell you that you might be eligible for future compensation. They may even misrepresent that they are only required to pay your current economic damages.
You Should Hire a Virginia Truck Accident Attorney
Your point of contact with the insurance company is going to work very hard to convince you that you do not need to hire a truck accident lawyer. They will advise you that it will be cheaper and you will get more from your settlement if you just settle your claim by yourself. The truth is that personal injury victims who have qualified legal representation consistently receive settlements that are at least 30%larger than the settlements awarded to those who go it alone.
Being injured in a Virginia truck accident is frightening, especially when the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. The experienced Virginia Beach truck accident attorneys at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp know how to help you obtain full and fair compensation for your injuries, lost income, pain, suffering, and more. Call us today at (833) 997-1774 to schedule your no-obligation consultation.
You must be logged in to post a comment.