One of the biggest myths about truck crash cases is that it is always better to settle your claim yourself than to hire an attorney. While injury victims can legally accept an insurance settlement without a lawyer, it is rarely the best course of action. If you represent yourself, you will have to negotiate with an insurance agent who has years of experience undervaluing claims, wait through any delays in the claim, provide additional information to the insurer—and in the end, you may still not get enough to cover the full costs of the crash.
When Consulting an Attorney May Be Wiser Than Accepting a Settlement
If you have minor injuries and little or no property damage, you may be able to convince an insurance company to cover your expenses. However, you should not take a settlement offer from an insurer without first speaking to an attorney if any of the following apply to you:
- There may be more than one person at fault. Truck accident cases can involve the potential liability of the trucker, the driver of the car, the trucking carrier, the loading company, an auto parts manufacturer, and others. If multiple parties share blame for the accident, an attorney can determine who may be responsible for your losses and protect your rights to file a lawsuit.
- You have suffered significant financial losses. Most people struggle to pay unforeseen costs, and insurance adjusters take advantage of this by offering a low settlement that can be paid in a matter of days. Unfortunately, this often leaves victims with far less than they deserve for their injuries.
- You have sustained serious injuries that may affect your future. If your injuries have resulted in disability, inability to work, and ongoing medical treatment, an attorney can place a value on the amount of damages you could be owed to compensate you for the rest of your life.
Unfortunately, once you accept a settlement, you give up the right to ask for more money later. With so much at stake, an attorney’s advice in these matters can be invaluable. Our injury lawyers serve truck accident clients on a contingent fee basis, meaning we do not collect anything unless we secure a recovery for you. To set up a free initial consultation, simply fill out the short contact form on this page. For more information, you can also request a free copy of our book, The 10 Worst Mistakes You Can Make With Your Tennessee Injury Case.
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