Under Virginia law, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries if you were hurt in a truck collision caused by a negligent trucker. Since you were not at all to blame for the crash, you may expect the insurance company for the trucker and trucking company to treat you fairly and offer a settlement that fully compensates you.
However, the insurance company may look out for their own interests instead of yours. Here are important things about your claim that the insurance adjuster may not tell you or could misrepresent.
#1: The Insurance Company Is Not on Your Side
The insurance adjuster may act friendly and like they are genuinely concerned about your injuries when they talk to you about your claim. However, they will not tell you that they are not your friend and are not on your side when settling your claim.
They are really looking for ways to save the insurance company money. When they talk to you or investigate your claim, they are looking for statements you make or other evidence they can use to deny your claim or reduce the money they pay you in your settlement.
#2: You Can Reject Their Settlement Offer
The insurance adjuster may make it sound like their initial settlement offer is the only one they will make or that you will lose your right to settle your claim if you do not accept it. They are most likely trying to pressure you to take a lowball settlement offer of far less compensation than you are entitled to under Virginia law.
In reality, you have a right to reject a settlement offer. You should never agree to settle your claim until you consult with a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer.
#3: You Do Not Have to Give a Recorded Statement
One of the first requests the insurance company may make is to ask you to give a recorded statement. This question-and-answer session is recorded and transcribed into a written document, which can be used in court and settlement negotiations. The insurance adjuster may make it sound like this is a standard procedure that must be completed before they can settle your claim.
You do not have to give a recorded statement to settle your claim, and it is not in your best interests to agree to provide one. The insurance adjuster wants you to give a recorded statement so they can try to get you to make inconsistent statements or admissions in answer to tricky questions that they can use against you.
#4: You May Be Entitled to Future Damages
If you suffered a long-term or permanent injury, you might be entitled to past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The insurance adjuster may not inform you of your right to future compensation and may misrepresent that they are only obligated to pay your past medical bills and lost wages.
#5: You Should Retain a Lawyer
The insurance adjuster may try to convince you not to hire a knowledgeable truck accident attorney. They may suggest that you will save money and receive more settlement proceeds if you settle your claim on your own. The reality is that you will almost certainly receive a substantially larger settlement if you let a lawyer collect the evidence you need to win your case and negotiate your settlement.
If you were injured in a truck collision in Virginia Beach or Norfolk caused by a negligent trucker, our experienced truck accident attorneys are here to answer your questions and negotiate your settlement with the insurance company. Call our Norfolk office at 757-625-1214 or complete our online form to schedule your free initial consultation today.
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