Semi-truck accidents can lead to serious and catastrophic consequences. In the most tragic scenarios, a crash results in death. Unfortunately, deadly truck crashes happen more often than many people think. According to the National Safety Council, 5,788 people were killed in large truck accidents in 2021. That number represented a 17% increase from 2020 and a nearly 50% increase over the last ten years. There is no single factor that explains an increase in the number of fatal truck accidents. However, we know that these crashes often occur because of the negligence of one or more of those involved.
There is nothing more devastating than the loss of a loved one in a truck crash. This is especially true if your family member was killed in an accident that was not their fault. In the aftermath of a deadly collision, surviving family members frequently have questions about their legal rights. Victims normally find themselves dealing with insurance companies during this time. What most people do not realize is that insurance companies play a very different role than they might think.
Here at Burg Simpson, our national truck accident lawyers have experience working with all major insurance companies. We know the strategies that these companies use and will anticipate them for your benefit. If you have suffered the loss of a family member in a fatal truck crash, please reach out to us to see how we can help.
A commercial truck insurance policy is exactly what it sounds like. It is an insurance policy that provides liability coverage in the event of a commercial vehicle accident. These policies are issued by national insurance companies just as any other car or truck policy would be. A commercial insurance policy will pay compensation to victims if they are injured in a truck accident that was not their fault.
Due to the fact that truck accidents often involve more serious injuries than a car or small vehicle accident, a commercial insurance policy normally has higher coverage limits. It is not unusual for a trucking company to carry $2 million or more in total insurance coverage. Because these policies typically have higher limits and more exposure, the insurance company and the trucking companies that they are working for typically try hard to avoid paying claims.
Truck crash victims often wrongfully assume that the insurance company is on their side. During the initial phone call and subsequent communications, the adjuster may strike a friendly tone. In fact, they may even act like they are looking out for your best interests. When they make an initial offer, it can seem as though they are truly being helpful and trying in good faith to settle your claim.
Unfortunately, this is not the truth in many cases. The reality is that insurance companies are for-profit entities. They make more money by underpaying and denying legitimate claims. An adjuster is a skilled negotiator who has usually received extensive training in how to handle claims in a favorable manner for their company.
The initial offer from the adjuster usually does not take into account all of the legal damages to which you are entitled. While it may seem tempting, the best course of action is usually to reject the offer and speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Having a lawyer on your side helps to even the playing field, and you can be sure that the insurance company is not trying to take advantage of you.
In the aftermath of a fatal truck crash, the last thing you want to do is haggle with an insurance adjuster. Worse, you may make a mistake that costs you thousands of dollars and jeopardizes your claim. Many loved ones make the error of talking with the adjuster at an early stage of the case. They may give a statement or provide information that harms their case.
An experienced national truck accident attorney can help you fight the insurance company and its tactics. At Burg Simpson, we have a skilled and dedicated legal team. We are ready to take on serious and fatal truck crash cases, and we will ensure that the insurance company respects your legal rights.
A truck crash lawyer can help in several ways when it comes to dealing with the insurance company. First, your lawyer may put together what is known as a demand package and will send it to the adjuster who is assigned to your case. The demand package documents the client’s injuries and requests that the company pay a settlement amount to resolve the case.
If the demand package is not successful, your attorney may still be able to negotiate with the adjuster. This is one area where many people are uncomfortable. Having an experienced and dedicated lawyer to deal with the aspect of your case can remove a lot of the stress associated with an insurance claim.
Nationwide, there are more than 400,000 truck accidents across the United States each year. While not all of the accidents will result in injuries, some of them will. In the worst-case scenario, the crash will lead to death. As a serving family member, you may have legal rights to receive compensation. These cases are complicated and should only be handled by an experienced lawyer.
Before you speak with the insurance company, give us a call to see how we can be of assistance. Our team is standing by to help at any time. We provide free consultations and case evaluations for all potential and prospective clients. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that there is no payment to us until we win. When we meet with you, we will go over your case in detail and help to come up with a successful strategy.
To schedule your time to speak with one of our national fatal truck accident lawyers, please reach out to us via our online intake form or give us a call a (866) 637-1207.
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