Navigating Truck Accident Insurance Claims

• February 11, 2025
• Attorney David Mann
• Truck Accidents

Accidents involving trucks can be complex and may involve many parties, like drivers, trucking companies, and truck manufacturers.  There may be more than one liable party for injuries suffered during a truck accident.  The multiple parties involved may have different insurance policies to sort through. Also, injuries sustained from truck accidents are usually more severe, due to the size and weight of the vehicles involved in the accident. In this blog post we will discuss the trickiness of navigating truck accident insurance claims.

Understanding the Parties Involved

There may be numerous parties that could be held liable in a trucking accident.  It is important to know who the potential parties are in order to get full compensation for your injuries.  Generally, the following parties could be brought into a claim after a trucking accident:

• Truck Driver – Investigating the truck driver is a logical first step when determining liability.  It is possible that the driver had put in more driving hours than allowed by law and they were fatigued, or the driver was taking a type of illegal stimulant in order to stay awake, which caused the accident.
• Truck Owner – Taking a look at the truck owner should be the next in line for possible liability.  The truck owner may be illegally pushing their drivers to drive longer hours without a break or have hired unqualified drivers in order to save money on labor costs.
• Mechanics Not Employed By the Trucking Company – Truck owners may want to save money by outsourcing the truck’s repair and maintenance. The mechanics, or the company that employs them, could be held liable if there is faulty maintenance on the truck.
• Faulty Parts – The truck may have faulty parts, which caused the accident.  If this can be proven, the parts manufacturer can be held liable for the accident and may have to pay damages.

The Truck Accident Insurance Claims Process

The process of filing a truck accident insurance claim is similar to filing a claim for any type of vehicle accident.  The difference may be the number of claims that need to be filed, if multiple parties are involved.

Before filing an insurance claim, you should seek medical attention right after the accident; call the police to report the accident; gather evidence from the scene, like taking pictures and collecting contact information from any eyewitnesses; and then speak to an experienced truck accident attorney to guide you through the claims process.  Here are the steps to take in order to file a claim.

• Notify Your Insurance Company – You should report the accident to your insurance company.  However, be careful about discussing the full details of the accident, as anything you say can be used against you in the claims process.  Your attorney will give you advice on this.
• Send a Demand Letter – Your lawyer will write up a demand letter to the insurance companies, asking for damages in the form of lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses.
• Negotiate with the Insurance Companies – Your lawyer will speak to the lawyers representing the insurance companies and attempt to come up with a fair settlement for your injuries.
• Take Your Case to Court – If the insurance companies are not willing to negotiate in good faith, your lawyer will file a lawsuit in court, seeking the compensation you deserve.

Common Challenges in Truck Accident Claims

As mentioned, truck accident claims come with challenges that are somewhat distinct from car accidents.  Some of the most common challenges that you and your attorney may come across include:

• Figuring Out Liability – With all of the possible parties involved, it may be a challenge to figure out who should be held liable.  Also, handling all the claims takes organization and dedication.
• Dealing with Insurance Companies – There is usually more money at stake with truck accidents, and the opposition will aggressively defend their clients.  You will probably have to face tough questions from the attorneys representing the insurance companies.
• Calculating Damages – Multiple parties may be liable for your injuries.  You and your attorney will have to calculate the amount of damages you are seeking from each party.

Tips for Maximizing Your Compensation

Injuries from truck accidents are usually more severe than car accidents, and you will want to maximize the amount of compensation for your damages.  The process of getting compensation can be daunting, but there are some tips to take into consideration to help along the way:

• Be Organized – It is very important to have all of your papers organized when you present them to your attorney.  Also, keep copies of all medical bills, statements, and other important documents. If possible, scan every document onto a computer for quick access if your attorney needs them.
• Stay Off Social Media – You should not post anything on social media for the duration of your claim.  Insurance companies will do anything to disprove your injuries and they will troll your social media pages for any evidence that you are lying about your injuries.
• Keep in Contact with Your Attorney – An experienced attorney will keep you up to date on the claims process.  In order to keep your case moving, answer your attorney’s emails and phone calls as soon as possible.

We hope this blog post has helped you understand the complexity of navigating truck accident insurance claims.

Contact the Mann Law Firm for a Free Consultation About Your Truck Accident Insurance Claim

The Mann Law Firm has over 30 years of experience representing clients in truck accident claims.  We understand how insurance companies work.  In fact, David Mann was once in-house defense counsel for a large insurance company, so he knows the tactics they use to settle claims for less than they are worth.  When you meet with us, we will carefully go over your case and will be by your side until your case is closed.  At the Mann Law Firm, you always come first.  So, give us a call today at (478) 742-3381 to schedule a free consultation.